Why are so many people depressed?

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   threekeysposted 7 years ago

   Why are so many people depressed?
   
   Is it because things are changing too rapidly? Is it the powers that be want us to be more weak and dependent so we dont question the staus quo? Is it because we are chasing emphemeral wants and needs instead of stopping still and developing depth and solidness, so life and relationships feed our soul more? What is your take on this?

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2. 87

   tsmogposted 7 years ago

   I think people are sad more these days especially recently is because of two reasons. One is there is more grief these days in people's lives.They go through the five stages of grief. Sometimes it is rapid to very rapid. As a comparison, the grief of a loved one that may last for months or more contrast the grief felt when a favorite football team lost that lasts an hour or so to a day or more (A Monday Blues day). The stages of grief are:
   
   Denial
   Anger
   Bargaining
   ** Depression
   Acceptance
   
   The other is the close connection between anxiety and depression. I think our society is laden with anxiety today especially recently. That leads to your "changing too rapidly", which generates anxiety. Anxiety causes worries and etc. and that causes sadness or depression.

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      threekeysposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I was referring to this general endemic feeling of anxiety..I am not sure if people are more anxious or just talking about it a lot more.Relationships are breaking down in a shorter timespan.Too many outer pressures impacting too?

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      tsmogposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe from the anxiety perspectives, we may ask about coping skills. Are we equipped with them, are they outdated with today's type of stress with anxiety & etc. To me, even a smartphone brings stress into many lives. You 'have' to answer it.

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   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   I think we have to look at 3 different types of depression, with much overlap of course. Transitory cause and effect depression. Mood disorder depression correctable with medication and disabling depression. Actually the 3rd is very rare.
   If we do not have mood swings we are basically mood numb. And that is right next to psychopathic. Depression can occur from being effected by others. Depression can come from how we effected others.
   We assume greats like Lincoln and Beethoven and Churchill suffered from bi-polar.
   
   But what I think we "see" today are pharma's, TV ads, Health Providers encouraging people to label themselves for financial reasons. And why not? Feel down - confess it and get some cool pills that will make you feel better.
   Then throw in the FB images of all your friends selfies at resorts or with beautiful families and you compare yourself with that BS? Hard not to think you are a loser with that and models everywhere you look, looking perfect.
   
   Sorry that was way too long.

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4. 73

   manatita44posted 7 years ago

   Your last take on it is a very solid one, although funny enough, I had planned to be very practical with this one.
   
   We all work darn hard and the daily grind can sometimes seem endless. So many of us need holidays! Recuperation, it seems, is vital! We run into everyday power struggles and no, not only with the boss but with working colleagues, train drivers, commuters ... it really is an all-inclusive grind.
   
   Ok, so I see it differently. But we all have different needs, perspectives, plans and goals and this life can appear to be unfair and to suck for many. So the blue or pink pill comes out when times are tough; when as humans we weep inside. So there you are, a different answer from me today. LOL.

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   gmwilliamsposted 7 years ago

   
   
   Many people aren't leading authentic lives.  They are living prescribed, preordained lives set by others.  They are following the script of their families & other authorities as to whom they are SUPPOSED to be.  They are taught to....OBEY & FOLLOW instead of CREATING  & THINKING.  They are further inculcated to be mediocre instead of acknowledging & nurturing their greatness.
   
   Many people are AFRAID to have ownership over their lives.  They are OWNED, even MANIPULATED.  They accept such grey, monotonous fate w/utter resignation & passive anger.  This passive anger & utter resignation turns inward to depression.  They are afraid to go beyond the prescribed & preordained paradigm designed by their families, society, & culture.  They contend that there is "security" in following the mode instead of finding out who they really are & living their truth.
   
   The happiest, least depressed people who those who follow & live their truth.  They pursue their unique goals & live their individual lives, others & even family be damned.  They intend to live life THEIR way! They are the ones who have NO REGRETS upon their death beds while the majority of people SADLY.....DO!

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      threekeysposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Right now, I can personally relate to your response Grace. To me it could very well be about an existential angst surfacing-the ideal hoped for versus the enforcements/expectations of the society we belong to.

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   dashingscorpioposted 7 years ago

   
   
   1. They spend too much time reading/watching/listening to negative stuff. (Some folks don't know how to cheer themselves up.)
   2. They had unrealistic expectations of life. (Expected "smooth sailing" towards goals).
   3. They don't have enough things on their calendar to "look forward to". (If tomorrow looks to be the same as today that's depressing. There's a difference between living and existing.)
   4. They are not "proactively" pursuing goals or dreams.
   5. They don't take enough vacation time or plan FUN activities.
   6. They (dwell on their past) rather than focus on the present.
   7. They worry more about the future than enjoy the now.
   8.  They have a poor diet and exercise regimen
   9.  They are not getting enough quality sleep.
   10. They associate with depressed, unhappy, negative people!
   "Misery loves company."

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      manatita44posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      A nice list, dashing Scorpio.

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   threekeysposted 7 years ago

   All your repsonses are interesting varied and relevant.Thank you!

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8. 72

   Omar Eldamsheetyposted 7 years ago

   Because they want to have everything ... They expect the best and they will never have it.

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      threekeysposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Its a bitter pill to swallow when you have to lower your expectations. The media plays a big role here in influencing us and hypnotizing us to become, if we can, rabid consumers.

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