RE: Psychology Addict # 26 | Depression – Where to Draw the Line?
You raised a very interesting topic. I can't deny that depression is a clinical disease. But at the same time, in my country, such a deviation can hardly be called a disease. The reason is the mentality of people.
We do not have depression, we have Handra (the Blues). This is the case of the fine line between a disease and a sad mood across the nation. Therefore, it is not customary for us to consult doctors. Feel lethargy and apathy six months in a row is this normal. So, a large part of the population to cope with such psychological disorders independently. Successfully? Well, if alcoholism is considered a success, maybe.
On the other hand, if we take the example of Europeans and our citizens will go to the doctors... I think 80% of the country will be hooked on antidepressants.
I'm building up to the idea that first and foremost it all depends on the professionalism of the doctors, and on how well developed the culture of psychology in the country.
For example, in recent years a younger generation of parents dropping their children on sedatives, believing that their child is showing too much activity. I believe this causes terrible damage. Seriously, when the children were calm? But the influence of Western "fashion" in the dissemination among children of attention deficit disorder causes parents to perceive it as a norm. So they happily stuffed their child serious psychotropic drugs. This is an example of the loss of the thin line between normality and illness.
@natord, I really like how you started your comment. Yes, depression is indeed a clinical desease, but I do think, like you said, there is a lot to do with people's and professional's mentality. The line between ordinary sadness and mild-depression is rather blurred. This is why I appreciate when I see bodies like NICE calling out for caution and warning mental-health professionals to not be so quick to prescribe ADMs. Unfortunately, not all professionals follow those guidelines, though. Whether this is down to professionalism, or the system, as you point out. I am not sure. Well, this is perhaps another whole debate.
As for your last paragraph. So right! Like I said in another comment here, I am not a parent. Still, I do not approve of young children taking meds because they are too active! Alternatives like feeding children with less sugary products and motivating them to be more active would certainly help them to calm down. But, instead, children nowadays are loaded with processed food and spend most of their time in front of a screen.
Well, I am quite passionate about this topic!
Thank you so much for your invaluable input.
All the best to you :)
My input is quite modest in comparison with your. It is really exciting and topical subject that is difficult to present, due to the lack of clear criteria. But your examples show a border that is understandable for most. I hope that readers will relate to your post not only in the General view, and also try to project your insights into themselves, to adequately assess the risks of the transition of the fine line that you are talking about.