Anonymous wrote:Living in DC

Comparing themselves to others on FB

Those are my reasons!

+1

Definitely living in D.C. - everyone is overwhelmed here- I think partly because it is so crowded. Also, nonstop comparing themselves to other people, even if they don't admit it. Like small children: "why does *she* have *that*, and I don't?!" Like whining, petulant small children. Emotionally stunted adults.

Trump. Never-ending layoff's (two family members and two friends in the past year alone). Increasing gap between the have's and have-not's. Social media replacing real friendships. Declining family values and moral judgement (adultery, lying...) Unfortunately,. there's plenty to be depressed about.

Anonymous wrote:Too much social media. Get off DCUM now!

I was diagnosed long before social media.

My husband and I were just talking about this. We theorize that back when there were more asylums/institutions, people who couldn’t function were institutionalized. This essentially MADE people deal with life, for fear of being sent away. As these facilities started closing up and we started “normalizing” mental illness in daily life, people have no reason to snap out of it. Most “depression and anxiety” is just people who’s behaviors are enabled.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm isolated. Haven't made a new friend in 10+ years and my old ones don't care to make time for someone who isn't local.

I fail. At everything I try. That would be fine except I'm almost 40 and my mother still likes to point it out.

I am sorry you feel this way. You sound really hard on yourself. Do you see a therapist? Maybe you should try to attend a group that interests you or volunteer for a service project that would help you meet new friends.

I don't have time now. Work until 5, pick up DC and make/eat dinner, put DC to bed. Etc. Etc. Can't commit because of DH's work schedule. I know it's a season, but man, it's a long one.

I will assume we are not talking about people with psychiatric disorders, people who been raped or beaten or lived through many tours of duty in iraq.

I will assume we are not talking about people who lack of healthy food, shelter and health care.

My answer is:

Not enough quiet time, whether that be walking in the woods, meditation, prayer.

Not enough ways to connect with people, whether that be a walking club or a place of worship.

Also,

People do not live for the moment. Every single thing they do is to better their future. If you live in the past or are working for the future you will never be happy.

Anonymous wrote:I'm isolated. Haven't made a new friend in 10+ years and my old ones don't care to make time for someone who isn't local.

I fail. At everything I try. That would be fine except I'm almost 40 and my mother still likes to point it out.

I am sorry you feel this way. You sound really hard on yourself. Do you see a therapist? Maybe you should try to attend a group that interests you or volunteer for a service project that would help you meet new friends.

Lack of a strong spiritual foundation and the loss of hope

Because we all have too much free time. This is not a bad thing but it gives people time to compare everything from money to house to leisure. Before most were just working to survive and get food and shelter.

It’s the weather! I am so sick of the gloom and cold. I can’t take it anymore.

Anonymous wrote:It's almost a fad for the teen crowd. They all talk about their depression, anxiety, etc. (My DD and her friends all share stories and talk about their issues regularly). I know that people do have real issues, and of course, they should be treated, but I do think that there is some dilution going on by people who are classifying themselves with some of these psychological issues.

+1

Anonymous wrote:These days it seems depression and anxiety are affecting a large portion of the population? What do you think is driving this? Has it always been this prevalent?

Social media is a big part of it. Numerous studies indicate people who spend time on social media are more likely to be depressed and this goes for kids too. Parents know this but they refuse to take ITV away from their kids or cut it down the amount of time they spend on it.

Because of increasing economic inequality. Most of our kids won't do as well us as, and lots of us aren't doing that well to begin with. The 1% (or the .0001%) will take everything.

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Anonymous wrote:These days it seems depression and anxiety are affecting a large portion of the population? What do you think is driving this? Has it always been this prevalent?

Essentially, too much shelter and safety. We are supposed to be anxious about threats, but there are no threats, and our brains haven't evolved to handle modern life.

Open your eyes. A lot of people don't have shelter or safety. I guess you're talking about yourself?

Puh-lease with the pearl-clutching. The people without shelter or safety SHOULD be anxious and depressed, I think OP is talking about regular middle class people who are on scores of meds.

Some people who have shelter and safety are concerned about those who don't. Or are we only supposed to be navel gazing here?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These days it seems depression and anxiety are affecting a large portion of the population? What do you think is driving this? Has it always been this prevalent?

Essentially, too much shelter and safety. We are supposed to be anxious about threats, but there are no threats, and our brains haven't evolved to handle modern life.

Open your eyes. A lot of people don't have shelter or safety. I guess you're talking about yourself?

Puh-lease with the pearl-clutching. The people without shelter or safety SHOULD be anxious and depressed, I think OP is talking about regular middle class people who are on scores of meds.

Why do you think that? Are you that myopic?