Sad hurts but it's a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel.
Depression is very different.” -- J.K. Rowling

Depression On The Rise

Why the f#%k is everyone so damn depressed.., Im talking major depression -- clinical freaking depression. And just about 50% of people with major depression, are also diagnosed with some sort of anxiety disorder… Mental illness is on the rise.., and the most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses are Mood Disorders -- Depression, in all of it's forms… Just ask any of the major drug companies, they have made a killing preying on the mental health industry (but that's a whole different story).

But why is everyone so damn depressed… In the 1950's when the first "antidepressants" were released.., depression was considered a very rare condition. Back then, it was all about anxiety being diagnosed much more frequently.., and depression rarely being mentioned. It's no secret that anxiety has also risen dramatically -- at one point, when living in Los Angeles, almost everyone I knew was on some kind of anti-psychotic.., it was basically considered *"trendy" to be a little mental (clinically of course), LA can be a strange place…

But along with those anti-psychotics, always came the antidepressants… And of course, nobody took them as prescribed, or guidelines to adhere to, when on prescription meds -- like no drinking alcohol (HA!),what a joke… It's at the point now, you tell your doctor what meds you want, pay your bill and that's, that… Im not sure exactly when that happened, but when I was growing up, not only were there very few people you knew with mental disorder, there were a lot less of these "anti" whatever pills floating around, too.

"Anxiety and Depression linked to increased risk of
cancer and heart disease"

It's no surprise to anyone, that anxiety disorders have skyrocketed since first being diagnosed… You often hear the phrase or saying -- "Times were so less stressful back in those days." And, they are right.., that times continually have become much more stressful since the 1950's in a consensus, if it's possible to have a consensus these days -- but even amongst medical professional, the rise of anxiety is no shocker…

But why the outrageous rise in depression…

Depression has dwarfed just about all other mental illness… And even the psychiatric community is at a lose, as to why, depression has overtaken anxiety as the most researched, discussed and diagnosed disorder in the mental health industry. The NINH estimates that 16 million people in the United States and 450 million worldwide suffer from depression. Add to that, 80% of people with signs of depression are not receiving any treatment, making those estimates above a little low…

And whether you are depressed or not.., depression affects us all… It costs society roughly 210 billion dollars a year -- from treating depression itself, related illnesses to reduced productivity at work… And the out-of-pocket costs to an individual suffering from depression can cost upwards of $1700 a month -- prescriptions, supplements, therapy, etc., etc...

Some of the rise in depression can definitely be attributed to a better understanding and better techniques at diagnosing… But those who would have you believe that's the only reason for such a drastic rise in the number of people being diagnosed or suffering depression -- have their own agenda! It seems the best guess, as to why, depression has skyrocketed is -- the modern world…

It's Mad, Mad, Mad Mad World…

In our present state we are one stressed out, depressed, overly anxious, manic, chronic, whacked out, self-medicating wreck! With all these amazing technological advances, we in essence.., put ourselves behind the proverbial 8-ball… We work like mad, we're never out of reach, routinely stressing about something. We are as a society sleeping a little over 6 hours a night -- 3 less than we used too, get less sunlight and even though you might have a ton of Facebook friends we are more isolated and cut-off from each other, than ever…

These comforts and luxuries we enjoy, thanks to our many technological advances, seems to come at a price -- our mental health! And just in case, if you weren't aware -- our mental health has a massive effect on our physical health… Depression itself has been linked to heart disease, cancer, obesity and suicide. Our modern world, our modern way of living.., seems to have made us, as a society, a little more selfish and self-involved… We our so concerned with keeping-up, ourselves -- we hardly think of the hardships others may be facing, including the whole society. And we will even sacrifice our own health (mental/physical) in pursuit of these "luxuries."

In certain societies, like the Amish.., they have basically no depression -- ZERO. Besides the feeling of community that surrounds the Amish (if someone has a problem, the whole community has a problem), their diets were better and lacked many of the chemicals most of our societies are subjected too, the got more exercise, more sunlight, more sleep… They were involved in the community, socially -- making connections with people regularly. Basically, they live like our ancestors.., and are better off for it -- mentally.

"Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide."

Our technological evolution, seems to have superseded our human evolution… We have replaced things like compassion and empathy, with the click of a mouse… Gratitude and kindness, for a bigger TV. Reflection and introspection, for staying connected. Heck, it can't be that bad, right? I mean, the average age of a life keeps expanding -- we are definitely living longer.., and some even expect us to much, much longer very soon with all the advances being made in longevity and even immortality (uploading your consciousness to a computer -- (that's what I heard)…

But is it worth it..? That is a question everyone has to answer for themselves… For some it is -- they like the grind, they thrive on it. For some it isn't… Which ever side you fall on, be aware there are sacrifices to each -- you might forgo a few luxuries, for some more sunlight and human contact -- or vise versa…

It's not just easy, to get caught-up on the treadmill of.., acquiring more and more and more -- it's expected, these days… It's the way of the modern world -- a good (well paying, really well paying) career (not job), amazing family, great house(s) cars and few toys… But to get all that you are -- always on the go, sleep deprived, stressed out, less physically healthy, and even aging faster. There's always a price -- this modern way of living is fucking with your head!


References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2888013
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults.shtml
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
http://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.j108
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-causes.html


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