Depression - why?

jungleman

I don't suffer from depression, I never have. At least I'm pretty sure I never have. I was thinking about it today though, every time I read the paper there are stories about people struggling with depression. Social media is full of people discussing or alluding to their battles with depression. I personally know people who have struggled with depression. Every now and again I hear of someone I used to know back home who have killed themselves due to depression.

When I was thinking about it, I was wondering why it seems to be so prevalent today rather than in our parents or grandparents days? Is it just that it was so stigmatised back then that no-one talked about it or acknowledged it? Or is it that today, society creates conditions that perhaps lead to more people falling into depression (i.e. capitalist societies obsessed with wealth and accumulation, pressure to "fit in" to social norms, lack of employment prospects due to failing economies and neoliberal shortcomings)?

I'm not in anyway trying to trivialize depression, rather trying to understand why it is so common

Spunge

"man up" etc

Some people are genuinely sick, a lot are crying babies who need smacked head. But there are some who needs help.

eviltwin

It was always there, it just wasn't understood so people couldn't articulate it and people who could were told to just get on with things. My mother had terrible post natal depression which sadly never went away and made her very angry and bitter. Perhaps had she been around today she might have had the support and help she needed and been able to manage it. There's a lot of people like that in my family, people we say suffer "with their nerves" and that kind of thing. Anyway its great people can talk about it and its taken seriously but still more needs to be done.

GerB40

50 or 60 years ago people with depression would just drink themselves to death. Considering Irelands long history of alcoholics I'd imagine depression was always as prevalent as it is now, the difference being there's better medicine than drink these days.

jungleman

eviltwin wrote: »

There's a lot of people like that in my family, people we say suffer "with their nerves" and that kind of thing. Anyway its great people can talk about it and its taken seriously but still more needs to be done.

I always used to wonder what that meant when I was a child, "suffers with their nerves".

KungPao

Back in the old times people "suffered with their nerves", and perhaps drank themselves to death..but it wasn't suicide, oh no.

And life today is more stressful, in my opinion. Especially regarding work. You can't just be an apprentice and then a have a job for life and be set up. Those days are going/gone.

And having 'successful' people lives rubbed in your face via Facebook doesn't help if you are struggling.

eviltwin

jungleman wrote: »

I always used to wonder what that meant when I was a child, "suffers with their nerves".

My dad "suffered with his nerves", I don't think anyone really understood what it meant. He was later diagnosed as bi polar. I can't imagine the hell he was going through all those years with no help or medication.

Simon2015

People arent getting enongh vitamin d.

bb1234567

jungleman wrote: »

I don't suffer from depression, I never have. At least I'm pretty sure I never have. I was thinking about it today though, every time I read the paper there are stories about people struggling with depression. Social media is full of people discussing or alluding to their battles with depression. I personally know people who have struggled with depression. Every now and again I hear of someone I used to know back home who have killed themselves due to depression.

When I was thinking about it, I was wondering why it seems to be so prevalent today rather than in our parents or grandparents days? Is it just that it was so stigmatised back then that no-one talked about it or acknowledged it? Or is it that today, society creates conditions that perhaps lead to more people falling into depression (i.e. capitalist societies obsessed with wealth and accumulation, pressure to "fit in" to social norms, lack of employment prospects due to failing economies and neoliberal shortcomings)?

I'm not in anyway trying to trivialize depression, rather trying to understand why it is so common

Depression was always there, just nobody felt comfortable talking about it, or were simply unaware of the existence of the illness. Its like saying theres more gay people today than there was.

tastyt

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Some people are genuinely sick, a lot are crying babies who need smacked head. But there are some who needs help.

Not having a go at you but its statements like " crying babies who need a slap in the head " are the reasons why a lot of people, men especially, are ashamed to admit a problem with depression as it is seen as a weakness and just an easy " excuse "

It's because of attitudes like that that a lot of young men in this country deal with these issues by turning to drink, prescription drugs or mood altering substances to forget reality. And of course resulting from that is public violence, domestic violence, crime and suicide. it is because of the " man up " attitude that these terrible situations can't be nipped in the bud early and maybe avoid the pain and suffering put upon these people's families.

RhubarbCrumble

jungleman wrote: »

Is it just that it was so stigmatised back then that no-one talked about it or acknowledged it?

I think this is definitely true, and even though that attitude is really changing today and is so much better sadly I think a lot of the older generation still have that attitude. My mother is terrible for saying things like "Oh she's not right at all, her nerves are at her", and looking down her nose at that person because she thinks she's somehow 'above them'

Last year I ended up having a row with her after my cousin who was suffering from depression attempted suicide, and her answer was "Well he'll just have to get over it and get on with things won't he!" Yeah, because it's that easy! :mad:

KungPao

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

I think this is definitely true, and even though that attitude is really changing today and is so much better sadly I think a lot of the older generation still have that attitude. My mother is terrible for saying things like "Oh she's not right at all, her nerves are at her", and looking down her nose at that person because she thinks she's somehow 'above them'

Last year I ended up having a row with her after my cousin who was suffering from depression attempted suicide, and her answer was "Well he'll just have to get over it and get on with things won't he!" Yeah, because it's that easy! :mad:

It's like asking a man with a broken leg to just 'walk it off'.

Stupid, stupid people.

whats newxt

ROAAAR

A lot of people develop depression because they are **** with dealing with things, to be very blunt. I imagine years ago people just had to get on with things. Things were simpler back then. People still lived within small communities which is most natural for humans I guess.

GerB40

tastyt wrote: »

Not having a go at you but its statements like " crying babies who need a slap in the head " are the reasons why a lot of people, men especially, are ashamed to admit a problem with depression as it is seen as a weakness and just an easy " excuse "

It's because of attitudes like that that a lot of young men in this country deal with these issues by turning to drink, prescription drugs or mood altering substances to forget reality. And of course resulting from that is public violence, domestic violence, crime and suicide. it is because of the " man up " attitude that these terrible situations can't be nipped in the bud early and maybe avoid the pain and suffering put upon these people's families.

As a depression sufferer who turned to drink and prescription drugs to try make myself better I can honestly say you hit the nail on the head with that post. I couldn't have put it better myself.

myshirt

Going insane is not a luxury for the middle class. Someone said that. And I think they are right.

I can't afford to be depressed. It's not an option. There are children with hungry bellies and a wife with the paw out on a Friday.

GerB40

ROAAAR wrote: »

A lot of people develop depression because they are **** with dealing with things, to be very blunt. I imagine years ago people just had to get on with things. Things were simpler back then. People still lived within small communities which is most natural for humans I guess.

Such an idiotic thing to say. Depression isn't the result of anything, it just is..

Brussels Sprout

ROAAAR wrote: »

A lot of people develop depression because they are **** with dealing with things, to be very blunt. I imagine years ago people just had to get on with things. Things were simpler back then. People still lived within small communities which is most natural for humans I guess.

Spoken like someone who's lucky enough to not have a clue what they're talking about.

_Brian

Allot of ****e being thrown around here.

People aren't depressed because they are no good at dealing with things.
People aren't depressed because they can afford to.

Jesus lads this is an illness not a lifestyle choice.

It's like saying someone chose to have cancer or chrons disease.

Reminds me of the saying " come walk a mile in my shoes, then you can talk about my journey"

Smidge

Maybe post in or read the "Lets all laugh at depression" thread.

tastyt

tastyt wrote: »

Not having a go at you but its statements like " crying babies who need a slap in the head " are the reasons why a lot of people, men especially, are ashamed to admit a problem with depression as it is seen as a weakness and just an easy " excuse "

It's because of attitudes like that that a lot of young men in this country deal with these issues by turning to drink, prescription drugs or mood altering substances to forget reality. And of course resulting from that is public violence, domestic violence, crime and suicide. it is because of the " man up " attitude that these terrible situations can't be nipped in the bud early and maybe avoid the pain and suffering put upon these people's families.

Good job at missing my point.

eviltwin

myshirt wrote: »

Going insane is not a luxury for the middle class. Someone said that. And I think they are right.

I can't afford to be depressed. It's not an option. There are children with hungry bellies and a wife with the paw out on a Friday.

Yeah, like you really have a choice in the matter. :rolleyes:

Smidge

myshirt wrote: »

Going insane is not a luxury for the middle class. Someone said that. And I think they are right.

I can't afford to be depressed. It's not an option. There are children with hungry bellies and a wife with the paw out on a Friday.

Yes, you are right.
Depression is only ever found in the poor and lower classes.
That Robin Williams fella, he was a right dole scrounger. :rolleyes:

Clandestine

There are many reasons why depression rates are increasing, here are some of them:

Increased urbanization
24 hour news coverage
People's inability to achieve goals, or lack of goals
Increase in unemployment
Lack of independence, increased state dependence
Overpopulation
Corporatism
Consumerism
etc.

_Brian

Clandestine wrote: »

There are many reasons why depression rates are increasing, here are some of them:

Increased urbanization
24 hour news coverage
People's inability to achieve goals, or lack of goals
Increase in unemployment
Lack of independence, increased state dependence
Overpopulation
Corporatism
Consumerism
etc.

Maybe these things have an effect

But remember it sometimes just happens to people. Hits them like a bus, out of the blue

Mr_Muffin

Every man and his dog have depression these days it seems.

vicwatson

GerB40 wrote: »

Such an idiotic thing to say. Depression isn't the result of anything, it just is..

It is in fact a chemical imbalance in the brain

My name is URL

_Brian wrote: »

Allot of ****e being thrown around here.

People aren't depressed because they are no good at dealing with things.
People aren't depressed because they can afford to.

Jesus lads this is an illness not a lifestyle choice.

You can't speak for everyone either, though. Not all people are depressed for the same reasons. Some may well be depressed because they cannot cope with things, or because of financial or other environmental reasons.

It's an illness alright, but it can, and often is a symptom.

lukesmom

myshirt wrote: »

Going insane is not a luxury for the middle class. Someone said that. And I think they are right.

I can't afford to be depressed. It's not an option. There are children with hungry bellies and a wife with the paw out on a Friday.

I suffer with an anxiety disorder and depression for which ive spent months in a psychiatric hospital. It was a culmination of loss and grief coupled with stressful times that resulted in me being diagnosed. I live with it everyday and take meds plus go to therapy. I have three Young children. who can afford to be depressed???. That is such a mindless statement in your post. You haven't a clue what your talking about.

Greenmachine

_Brian wrote: »

Allot of ****e being thrown around here.

People aren't depressed because they are no good at dealing with things.
People aren't depressed because they can afford to.

Jesus lads this is an illness not a lifestyle choice.

It's like saying someone chose to have cancer or chrons disease.

Reminds me of the saying " come walk a mile in my shoes, then you can talk about my journey"

Wonderfully said.

It is something that can creep on a person. They could be struggling economically and try keep a brave face withdraw a little spend less time with friends, then suffer and series of setbacks, loss of a job, personal bereavement, ending of a long-term relationship. People can feel backed into a corner. It can take a massive amount of work to claw back a sense of control.

lukesmom

vicwatson wrote: »

It is in fact a chemical imbalance in the brain

Not entirely true.

myshirt

All I am saying is that you generally do not realise how strong you are until you have no option but to be strong. When you have children with hungry bellies, you gotta keep going, and I think that does good for people.

I can't afford to be depressed is a point made to emphasise the cost of depression and the impact it can have. Depression has a very high cost on those that cannot absorb its devastating financial impact, as well as others with deeper pockets may absorb it.

As you'll know, there is a much higher level of depression amongst poorer sections of society than elsewhere.

Mam of 4

Like others have said , i think years ago it was well hidden, not talked about , or people suffered with *their nerves* . Unfortunately some were also committed to the local *Lunatic Asylum* for the rest of their lives.

Thankfully now it is being discussed, or people are becoming more aware of Depression and other Mental Health issues, and realising that yes, there is a real person there, with feelings and emotions like everyone else , but also have an illness called Depression.

lukesmom

myshirt wrote: »

All I am saying is that you generally do not realise how strong you are until you have no option but to be strong. When you have children with hungry bellies, you gotta keep going, and I think that does good for people.

I can't afford to be depressed is a point made to emphasise the cost of depression and the impact it can have. Depression has a very high cost on those that cannot absorb its devastating financial impact, as well as others with deeper pockets may.

As you'll know, there is a much higher level of depression amongst poorer sections of society than elsewhere.

No, sorry still makes no sense.

tastyt

myshirt wrote: »

All I am saying is that you generally do not realise how strong you are until you have no option but to be strong. When you have children with hungry bellies, you gotta keep going, and I think that does good for people.

I can't afford to be depressed is a point made to emphasise the cost of depression and the impact it can have. Depression has a very high cost on those that cannot absorb its devastating financial impact, as well as others with deeper pockets may.

As you'll know, there is a much higher level of depression amongst poorer sections of society than elsewhere.

Is there really or did you just make that up?

G_R

Op, we already have a big thread on depression, do lets keep it all to the one thread please.

To those posting "man up"/"get over it" etc - maybe read some of the really insightful posts in the thread below before making comments like that again.

Link

Thread closed.