Our society demonstrates a lack of understanding about the seriousness of a burgeoning epidemic of depression. With the increasing complexity of our lives, more and more individuals are finding themselves unable to cope, and sinking into a clinical depression, which leaves them marginally functional and unsure how to help themselves.
In recent years the drug industry has had free rein, inundating the air waves with commercials for prescription drugs, and misleading the public into believing that feeling better is one happy pill away. Treatment for depression is more complicated than just taking a mood altering drug.
Over prescribing prescription medications is rampant. Doctors are prevailed upon by viewers of these commercials who, having self diagnosed, demand the advertised drug which promises easy cure. Anxious to keep their patients content, and in some cases, paid incentives by pharmaceutical companies, physicians are caving in to popular opinion, and excessive overmedicating adds to the causes of depression. Treatments other than medication might be preferable in some of these cases.
Another way our society has turned it’s back on the mentally depressed is to ignore the irresponsible media reporting of the plight of public figures suffering from this disease. The treatment in the news media of recent victims, Owen Wilson and Brittaney Spears are prime examples.
Owen Wilson’s depression brought him to the point of suicide, and yet, according to the media reports, within weeks he is all better and doing well. Medical professionals will verify severe depression is much more difficult to overcome than portrayed in this case. False hope is given to viewers who might be experiencing the same trauma and looking for a quick fix.
Brittaney Spears has been held up to public scrutiny and scorn, and chastised publicly by the courts, when she is obviously suffering from severe post partumn depression. Thanks to media frenzy, we hear every detail of her self destructive behavior and misadventures, but nothing is reported about treatment for her illness. What message does this send to others in her unfortunate situation, but to keep quiet and not seek help, lest they become the target of ridicule.
An additional contributing factor is the flagrant, but unrealistic, sexual content and promiscuity condoned on day time and prime time television. What was once an intimate and private expression of love between two individuals has become a spectator sport with no emotional component; resulting in degrading and disillusioning consequences for the viewing public, in particular the youthful segment of the population. This is a precursor to unfulfilled relationships and accompanying depression.
Extreme violence, under the guise of “entertainment” has created a society of individuals with inappropriate, and sometimes dangerous, problem solving techniques. We are inundated with school shootings, drive by shootings, domestic violence and bullying, as misguided persons attempt to gain some semblance of control over their existence.
These lax attitudes toward morality in our society have contributed to a dramatic
rise in the occurrence of depression, due to frustration, unrealistic expectations, and general disillusionment.
Not all cases of depression follow the stereotype of withdrawal and inactivity. Bizarre antisocial behavior and manic acting out, with self destructive tendencies, are other ways depression sometimes manifests.
Some of the reasons for the increase in this debilitating mental illness are as follows:
* Levels of stress, or perceived stress, have multiplied with the busy, overscheduled lifestyles of today.
* Increase in single parent families contributes to stress levels, as these individuals attempt to fill dual roles, and are generally overworked, with no emotional of financial support available.
* Growing up in homes with chemically depressed parents, via alcohol or drugs, breeds another generation of the potentially depressed.
* Increasing numbers of the population at poverty level or below, creates large segments of society with mental illness, including depression.
* Specific personality types predisposed to becoming depressed, such as, perfectionists and self critical indviduals, those with low self esteem, the poorly educated, those with a pessimistic nature and overly dependent persons.
* Any stressful life event can trigger depression. For some it may be a one time occurrence, and for others, it can be chronic and require long term, ongoing treatment.
* Alcohol, drugs and nicotene, once believed to be used to relieve stress, are actually causes of depression.
* Long term use of prescription drugs by individuals with chronic physical illness can bring on depression.
* Isolation and loneliness, particularly in the elderly population can trigger depression.
Individuals can mitigate their potential exposure to depression with proper diet, adequate exercise, consistent medical checkups and a realistic approach to modifying stressful lifestyles.
We can also foster renewed connection with our families and community, and become educated in recognizing and intervening when signs of depression develop in our relatives, friends and coworkers.
By creating a network of mutual support and tolerance, we can insure we are doing our part to decrease or eliminate negative events and tragedies resulting from the prevalent climate of isolation and depression in our lives.
Society in general can be effective in educating the public, sponsoring more intelligent monitoring of the pharmaceutical industry, the medical community and the media metworks. This epidemic of depression and disillusionment must be approached with a serious commitment toward instilling an upgraded code of morals and values.
We must protect and educate our youth with improved models of decorum in all aspects of our social behavior if we are to go forward as a viable, mentally healthy society.
