Prozac nation? I sometimes think people like to be depressed, because of how often people share how they are. Almost as if they are proud to be depressed. I think two of the causes are boredom and media's influence on how our lives and looks "should be." Opinions?
2006-07-20 17:46:29 · 7 answers · asked by Anna307 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
First of all, science (belatedly) has proven that depression, not I feel depressed, but depression, is a medical condition. It's where you body has a lack of, and an inability to produce Serotonin (a chemical produced by the brain that, among other things, causes you to feel happy/good). They have even proved that there is such a thing called a "Suicide cell" that can genetically be passed down from generation to generation. People with this cell are more susceptible to trying to kill themselves than others.
True people want to feel upset. But these people are "emo kids", not depressed. They listen to Simple Plan & Good Charlotte.
And finally, in America, the government portpetuates a culture of fear, so that, people like you and me won't question the governments actions (see Iraq, Afganistan, and all the others). Drastic times call for drastic measures, that's what they tell us. And without the drastic times, they cannot proceed with their drastic measures.
2006-07-20 18:03:50 · answer #1 · answered by Franko Unamerican 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the media being a problem, but not with the boredom. It's lack of initiative that's the issue. We are over-scheduled, overworked, underpaid, undervalued. We have too many rules, not enough freedom. We are bombarded with data but not necessarily much information. A single voice in the crowd of millions usually changes little. We thrive on sound bites and immediate response. When it takes time, we become frustrated. I WANT IT NOW! Can't have it, then there is an immediate sense of insufficient control which leads to apathy, not caring, not participating, not taking control and influencing. (That would be where the boredom comes in.) We exercise less and eat more junk. We expect to be entertained and have lost the art of entertaining ourselves. There is very much about the way many in our nation live that is depressing. However, we are not all like that. Not by a long shot.
All that said, real depression is a very serious, debilitating, life-threatening illness. Anti-depressants are a miracle drug. If you've ever known someone with the real thing, then you also know that the state of the nation has virtually no bearing. You also know that those with depression, the real illness, do not want attention or to be the center of anything.
"Prozac nation" is a sound bite generated by the media which you so aptly mentioned. And, you are right, often the ppl whining about being depressed are actually just bored. They also aren't typically on anti-depressants -- most likely because depression isn't their real problem.
2006-07-21 01:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I admit, depression in general has become a bit overrated. but i'm bipolar and believe me, it's very very real and emotionally crippling. boredom is definately not my problem, i was diagnosed with cyclocemia when i was 9, i currently lead a very full, busy life, i don't have time to be bored. i think that people are to quick to self-diagnose though, most people at one point in there lives are "depressed" whether for a couple days, weeks etc, some become "seasonally depressed" when winter comes there are many types, lots of people that are generally depressed aren't on any medication and can manage on their own or with counseling. as for people being so willing to share the fact that they are depressed, it is because that mental illness or depression carried such a strong stigma for such a long time that it was hush-hush, you didn't tell anybody. now it is socially accepted and there are so many options out there, you no longer just get shipped off to the loony bin
2006-07-21 03:58:44 · answer #3 · answered by Carrington 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Havent you heard? Its the new fad. Lets all get sad!! Woohoo. Sad to say people do it for attention. If your friends depressed...and is on medication and getting attention for that. Then people tend to get jealous...and create a facade. They want to be noticed too. Cause come on...Why wouldnt we all want attention?!
Gosh forbid we didnt get to tell a harrowing life story of depression, addiction to anti-depressants, and several attempted suicides. I think its just stupid.
What have Americans become? haha
Another influence like I said is...jealous and attention seeking.
There is the 'Im seeking attention' depression..And 'I am truly suffering from depression' depression. I think more americans are suffering from 'Im seeking attention' depression.
*shakes head*
2006-07-21 01:27:46 · answer #4 · answered by allhopelost6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah sadly I think our expectations that everything is supposed to feel and go great every moment of our lives haven't been helped by the fact a lot of us learned this by being raised more by a tv and now computors. there can be no good without the bad or then we have nothing to strive for.
2006-07-21 03:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by tigerbullandlillyofthevalley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey im on prozac and its made my anxiety disorde less aparent an made my life easier
2006-07-21 01:32:56 · answer #6 · answered by giantdwarfbat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well one of the stereotypes us non-americans have of you americans is that you all see a psychiatrist at least once a week which means you are either all nuts or all scared of being nuts
2006-07-21 00:50:24 · answer #7 · answered by Ivanhoe Fats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋