why is there so much depression in Ireland?

lufties

I do wonder if its part of Irish parenting style which inficts fear to kids and an attitude of 'dont make a show of us', having lived in ireland most of my life im not sure if I'd be alive today if I didn't emigrate. I was afraid of being myself for fear of being ridiculed. All my life in Ireland I was bullied, since I left that has changed. I would drink to try suppress the deep sadness in my soul.

jimgoose

You're making a show of us now again. Straighten yourself up and give the little ballacks a shot into the mouth back.

Macavity.

I relate to a lot of what you post but I'm not convinced it's unique to Ireland.

lufties

Macavity. wrote: »

I relate to a lot of what you post but I'm not convinced it's unique to Ireland.

Its not, but it is very common in Ireland.

B.A._Baracus

pass the dutchie to the luft hand side

Sheep Lover

Cause the weather is so crap, the women folk always cover up and don't show off the assets. That's what's depressing.

the evasion_kid

The weather/alcohol/drugs/recession.....take your pick

Turtwig

Why is there so much flu in Ireland? Depression is an illness. Like any illness there are physiological, psychosomatic, societal and environmental reasons for its prevalence. (Plus others.)

lufties

Sheep Lover wrote: »

Cause the weather is so crap, the women folk always cover up and don't show off the assets. That's what's depressing.

The weather is a big thing, but here in lindon the weather is shyte too. I've recently been through therapy and its amazung how its helped.

Sir Osis of Liver.

Cheer up ta fuk.

lufties

Turtwig wrote: »

Why is there so much flu in Ireland? Depression is an illness. Like any illness there are psychosomatic, societal and environmental reasons for its prevalence. (Plus others.)

Catholic guilt coupled with a tough style of parenting plays a big part imo.

catallus

lufties wrote: »

The weather is a big thing, but here in lindon the weather is shyte too...

Maybe it's that Sauron fella giving off bad vibes?

He's a dickhead.

Kermit.de.frog

I do often think the weather climate is an under estimated factor in depression in Ireland and is rarely mentioned.

Our default weather is often dreary and dull and I do think this has an over all impact too. Some may disagree but I think it could add to unhappiness really.

Montroseee

Money worries, there is nothing as depressing inducing as severe financial pressure.

Karl Stein

Turtwig wrote: »

Depression is an illness. Like any illness there are physiological, psychosomatic, societal and environmental reasons for its prevalence. (Plus others.)

[sarc]No, no, it's just a chemical imbalance in the brain[/sarc]

fro9etb8j5qsl2

I think alcohol and the attitude towards it in this country plays a large part in the widespread prevalence of depression in Ireland. It's certainly a huge contributing factor in a high percentage of suicides

enfant terrible

Randall Melted Verdict wrote: »

I think alcohol and the attitude towards it in this country plays a large part in the widespread prevalence of depression in Ireland. It's certainly a huge contributing factor in a high percentage of suicides

Agreed
"Alcohol in large quantities, whether taken to treat a depression or not, produces a depressant effect on people's mood."

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/alcoholanddepression_000486.htm

One eyed Jack

lufties wrote: »

Catholic guilt coupled with a tough style of parenting plays a big part imo.

Ahh "Catholic guilt" me hole. There hasn't been a Catholic felt guilty for anything in Ireland in the last 20 odd years, that's at least two generations have become parents and haven't raised their children in the faith (aside from the "money days", communion, confirmation, which they never felt guilty about! :pac:).

Seriously, time to stop using that same old shìt excuse instead of examining the real causes for the prevalence of depression in this country.

"Tough style of parenting" is also a nonsense excuse. Corporal punishment was made illegal a long time ago and children nowadays are wrapped up in more cotton wool than they ever were before as people try to make up for what they felt were their parent's shortcomings vicariously through their children.

You're also asking a loaded question in your thread title as I personally don't believe depression is as common as you're making out at all, not by a long shot.

Filmer Paradise

4 Reasons.

1-Dev.

2-The power of the Catholic Church here.

3-Excessive drinking.

4-Obsession with property/land.

berger89

For me, it's wanting to do so much; but yet feeling like I don't have the time to do it. I'm only 25, but I feel like time is passing by so quick. I've been lucky enough to have travelled a little, but there is so much more to see and do

Lyaiera

Karl Stein wrote: »

[sarc]No, no, it's just a chemical imbalance in the brain[/sarc]

Thanks. Now I'm reading about dualism in psychology.

bodhrandude

Kinda agree with Lufties but I still love Ireland, our traditional music is like no other apart from Scotland, lots of jigs and reels, hornpipes in minor keys, sad sounding but beautiful and sorta reflects the landscape from where they were composed, its the same with the songs especially the Gaelic ones that are basically keening, as if to mimic the banshee cry. There is a lot of sad history with Ireland that has never really been forgotten, famine, uprisings, opression etc which is kept alive with traditional music and song, some of our history just can't simply be forgot. I thought that might explain a little bit anyway.

Tail Docker

Booze. Leads to the blues. That and the fact it's a depressing kip a lot of the time.

JupiterKid

Crap, dreary overcast weather.
Booze culture - major factor.
Feck all ability for many caught in the recession to cope.
Extra taxes, water charges that was the final straw.

--LOS--

lufties wrote: »

Catholic guilt coupled with a tough style of parenting plays a big part imo.

Ye I do think there is a cultural factor to it. Your thinking style is a large part of depression and we are a country that almost prides itself on being negative. "We love to complain". We are quite repressive in our thinking still which I feel comes from religion. Lots of us grew up in families with a "brush it under the carpet" type attitude. We mock the americans for being so in touch with their feelings. We just don't handle emotion well at all. Lots of families were heavy on punishment, alcohol obviously has to be a big factor in Ireland too. I think we are so insecure as well, people care far too much about what other people think, too many people keeping up with the Joneses, we all know so many people like that in Ireland. There are plenty of irish factors that certainly don't help anyway, I think you can't deny that. There are other societal factors like the recession that are undeniable contributors as well.

niallo27

It all about booze. Drink makes the pain go away for a while but it only come back worse. No one will over refuse someone who looks down and out a drink. To fall home hammered is acceptable in this country. Sad really we have lost some good people.

mountsky

I would have to say in my honest opinion,depression is such firstly;due to the taboo attached to it and secondly because (it is indeed with great regret I say this),mental illness can be seen as a weakness sadly, some people may not get help because of pride,which in turn can and does lead to tragic consequences

niallo27

mountsky wrote: »

I would have to say in my honest opinion,depression is such firstly;due to the taboo attached to it and secondly because (it is indeed with great regret I say this),mental illness can be seen as a weakness sadly, some people may not get help because of pride,which in turn can and does lead to tragic consequences

If your 18 and take your life it such a tragedy. Your whole life ahead of you. Everything changes around 21 or 22. Breaks my ****en heart to see people not get the help.

Jogathon

I genuinely don't understand the op's post. Not everything in my life is plain sailing but life is what you make it. I am raised Catholic, with traditional parents who were strict with me but were fun and loving at the same time. I had a very traditional Irish upbringing, and yet he's saying I should be depressed because of this?

Nope, feck being down, life is ****e at times, and life is great at times. And that's all there is to it. That's not something that is unique to Ireland or anywhere.

Clandestine

The recession - People lose jobs which causes stress + other ailments
Welfare trap - They have to fill their time with unproductive things, encourages self-loathing, people often struggle on what money they are given
Technological society - Very few things are done to make people feel "fulfilled". People use phones, tablets etc. daily to fill time but they don't provide any benefits aside from passing the time, or if they are they are often for completing jobs that don't hold a true benefit to society (advertising, making games etc.)
Death of religion - In the past people were strong believers in religion, "if I don't believe in god I'll go to hell/my mum will beat me' etc. Lack of reassurance that you are safe when you die, or even in life can cause a crisis for a person.

niallo27

Jogathon wrote: »

I genuinely don't understand the op's post. Not everything in my life is plain sailing but life is what you make it. I am raised Catholic, with traditional parents who were strict with me but were fun and loving at the same time. I had a very traditional Irish upbringing, and yet he's saying I should be depressed because of this?

Nope, feck being down, life is ****e at times, and life is great at times. And that's all there is to it. That's not something that is unique to Ireland or anywhere.

There is a stigma attached to depression. The old boys will say "Whats wrong with him, cant he get over it". This country has no outlet for people to talk especially outside the capital.

Highflyer13

5 people on my road alone between the age of 20 and 35 that I know of suffering depression. Thats f**ked up.

mountsky

niallo27 wrote: »

If your 18 and take your life it such a tragedy. Your whole life ahead of you. Everything changes around 21 or 22. Breaks my ****en heart to see people not get the help.

Sadly it's at any age,I get your point though!

vlad2009

I've always wondered this myself. Having lost friends to depresssion, I fear the same for myself sometimes and always say I will seek some kind of therapy but once it passes I don't even bother, and just keep going with an 'it's grand' attitude untill things get worse again

mountsky

Luckily there's a huge amount of help out there ,for example Pieta House is doing tremendous work,also talking to ones GP whereby they will be able to advise the next step.The main problem I would have re:depression is that people won't talk about it,and then there's sometimes drink and/or drugs involved which really messes with a persons mind when already down, scary what can happen.I would always say to people to find someone that he/she can genuinely confide in,no man is an island
Another thing I failed to mention is the god forsaken weather, Seasonal Affective Disorder certainly plays a huge role in how one is feeling.However, to combat this best thing is good diet and exercise,along with meeting people for a coffee,isolation can be dangerous,its always good to get out for an hour and to avoid at all costs going to sleep during the day.

One eyed Jack

niallo27 wrote: »

There is a stigma attached to depression. The old boys will say "Whats wrong with him, cant he get over it". This country has no outlet for people to talk especially outside the capital.

This country has no outlet for people to talk? Have you tried looking for one, or has your own perception of a supposed stigma surrounding depression that has prevented you from looking for one of the many, many outlets there are available in cities, towns and villages up and down the country?

niallo27

One eyed Jack wrote: »

This country has no outlet for people to talk? Have you tried looking for one, or has your own perception of a supposed stigma surrounding depression that has prevented you from looking for one of the many, many outlets there are available in cities, towns and villages up and down the country?

I'm sorry it may be there but people are afraid to talk. They are afraid to show weakness.

Flippyfloppy

(Not talking about feelings)+(dealing with things through drink ) = depression

depression x crap weather = more depression

mountsky

People have the power to at least 'try' and get the help they need-it is out there

One eyed Jack

niallo27 wrote: »

I'm sorry it may be there but people are afraid to talk. They are afraid to show weakness.

Some people are afraid to talk, and some people are afraid to show weakness, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people willing and wanting to listen, or people wanting to help, and I just think it's disingenuous and dismissive to say outside the capital there's no help or any of the rest of it. There is, and perpetuating myths about stigmas does nobody any favours.

Not directly related to your point but claims that drink or drugs or anything else like culture or religious influence or whatever (as if depression is indigenous to Ireland?) is the cause of depression is simply looking for an easy scapegoat.

We can make all the excuses and come up with all the theories we want, but at the end of the day it comes down to dealing with the issue at an individual level, and you're right in that respect at least, that some people don't want to talk about their mental health, and don't want to ask other people for help when they're having issues with their mental health, and part of the reasons for that is this perpetuated myth that there even is a stigma. There isn't. There hasn't been for a very long time.

Ireland also hasn't had a drink culture in a very long time either, we've grown up an awful lot as a society, so rehashing lazy generalisations and throwing around excuses is to me at least, an "easy out" for people not to seek help when they need it in coping during times when they are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

eternal

We are a backward country and in the small towns if you are in any way different then you are labelled. I don't care if people disagree with this as it's fact. Then you have burgeoning homelessness and alcohol addiction. The weather is mild here but as Irish people are it could be 30 degrees and there would be some bollox complaining about it. Then if it's cold there is a problem with the cold. All the curtain twitching and back stabbing doesn't help. You have to take into consideration that a lot of Irish people don't look after their appearance or health either and compared to even England people are less polite and attractive. Basically everyone goes out and uses alcohol to score and it's a sad day really when the country is defined by Coppers and GAA jerseys drinking cheap fishbowls in 'foreign' i.e Irish holiday destinations like Santa Ponsa where you may as well be in Ireland anyway. That's why people are depressed.

One eyed Jack

eternal wrote: »

We are a backward country and in the small towns if you are in any way different then you are labelled. I don't care if people disagree with this...

I stopped reading there. See how that works? If you don't care for other people's opinions, then why would you expect or even think that anyone should be bothered enough to listen to your opinion?

Christ even what you wrote before you got to that point is utter nonsense, so I was grateful of the early warning that prevented me from wasting my time reading the remainder of your post.

eternal

One eyed Jack wrote: »

I stopped reading there. See how that works? If you don't care for other people's opinions, then why would you expect or even think that anyone should be bothered enough to listen to your opinion?

Christ even what you wrote before you got to that point is utter nonsense, so I was grateful of the early warning that prevented me from wasting my time reading the remainder of your post.

Ok so I will rephrase and it is late in the day like. What I mean is it's true and it wasn't an invitation for people to jump down my throat about how great rural towns in Ireland are. People do 'jump' in this forum.

DoYouEvenLift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV7x6PjHymU

Sheep Lover wrote: »

Cause the weather is so crap, the women folk always cover up and don't show off the assets. That's what's depressing.

Dunno where you go out, but in most parts of Ireland I have seen women wearing almost nothing on Fridays and Saturdays even when it was freezing and even raining out. Meanwhile every time I went to Barcelona and other European countries it's a lot less common to see tiny mini skirts and the women there seem to cover up a lot more...but then again they're also far better looking and not plastered in makeup so I guess they'll be attractive no matter what they wear

eternal wrote: »

We are a backward country and in the small towns if you are in any way different then you are labelled. I don't care if people disagree with this as it's fact. Then you have burgeoning homelessness and alcohol addiction. The weather is mild here but as Irish people are it could be 30 degrees and there would be some bollox complaining about it. Then if it's cold there is a problem with the cold. All the curtain twitching and back stabbing doesn't help. You have to take into consideration that a lot of Irish people don't look after their appearance or health either and compared to even England people are less polite and attractive. Basically everyone goes out and uses alcohol to score and it's a sad day really when the country is defined by Coppers and GAA jerseys drinking cheap fishbowls in 'foreign' i.e Irish holiday destinations like Santa Ponsa where you may as well be in Ireland anyway. That's why people are depressed.

Lol Irish people always say British are better looking and nicer than Irish and British people always say Irish are better looking and nicer than British. Can we all agree that we're on the same level as the British for these traits?

eternal

eternal wrote: »

We are a backward country and in the small towns if you are in any way different then you are labelled. I don't care if people disagree with this as it's fact. Then you have burgeoning homelessness and alcohol addiction. The weather is mild here but as Irish people are it could be 30 degrees and there would be some bollox complaining about it. Then if it's cold there is a problem with the cold. All the curtain twitching and back stabbing doesn't help. You have to take into consideration that a lot of Irish people don't look after their appearance or health either and compared to even England people are less polite and attractive. Basically everyone goes out and uses alcohol to score and it's a sad day really when the country is defined by Coppers and GAA jerseys drinking cheap fishbowls in 'foreign' i.e Irish holiday destinations like Santa Ponsa where you may as well be in Ireland anyway. That's why people are depressed.

How is this utter nonsense? This is valid and true in most cases.

Captain Hman

i personally think maybe the Recession has brought on lots of depression in people but thats just my two cents

eternal

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV7x6PjHymU

Lol Irish people always say British are better looking and nicer than Irish and British people always say Irish are better looking and nicer than British. Can we all agree that we're on the same level as the British for these traits?

I have never head anyone British say that only maybe about the accent being sexy. Maybe scrap Wales and Scots and focus on England cos there is no way Irish men look as good as the English guys.

DoYouEvenLift

eternal wrote: »

I have never head anyone British say that only maybe about the accent being sexy. Maybe scrap Wales and Scots and focus on England cos there is no way Irish men look as good as the English guys.

Varies from place to place in both countries but overall if you stood an average Irish man alongside an average Englishman and a "top tier" Irish man beside a "top tier" Englishman they'd be pretty much on the same levels. Either way, these levels aren't close to countries with really good looking people like Spain, Portugal, Sweden etc. anyway so saying English are better looking than Irish doesn't really mean much when you compare both to other countries. Irish and British men and women would be on the lower end of the looks scale worldwide.

BetterThanThou

Legalize marijuana and it would be gone within the week. Delivery restaurants would make a fortune as well.

Captain Hman

too many people have 'Daddy issues' these days

eternal

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

Varies from place to place in both countries but overall if you stood an average Irish man alongside an average Englishman and a "top tier" Irish man beside a "top tier" Englishman they'd be pretty much on the same levels. Either way, these levels aren't close to countries with really good looking people like Spain, Portugal, Sweden etc. anyway so saying English are better looking than Irish doesn't really mean much when you compare both to other countries. Irish and British men and women would be on the lower end of the looks scale worldwide.

In the law of averages if you walk down a street in England you will see better looking people. You are picking one person against one person. Yeah compared to Scandinavia we are shocking looking. I just used England as it is nearer and by comparison Irish people do not look after themselves as well in the looks department. Go and walk around Ireland now yeah with more make up on younger girls look better than ten years ago cos nobody wore that much on their face then. Essentially though outside of the cities, Irish people aren't great.