Do you agree with me or my husband on this?

Question

OK so my husband and i were talking about depression and he asked why so many people in the US suffer from depression because in Mexico (where he's from) he says you don't here about people taking drugs like Zoloft for depression. I told him yeah because they drink there problems away! He said no it's just not a problem like it is here. So my question is do you think he's right or just talking through his butt?

This question is not to put anyone down. My husband doesn't drink at all and i know not everyone is Mexico drinks. I'm saying this because a big majority of people no matter where their from drink alcohol to cover up problems (it runs through my family). Depression also runs through my family. I think a lot of you are right when you say doc's will give you a pill for anything, which only causes addiction but some poeple need it. I think in Mexico people deal with problems differently that's why there aren't as many people suffering like in the US. I didn't mean to upset anyone my family comes from both countries so i have respect for both. I just thought my husband was getting ahead of himself when he said they don't have pills in Mexico for depression when depression is all over the world.

Answer 1

Well, he may be right, other countries do not have the pressure on thier citizens as we do here in th US, I beleive we have more depression for several reasons, one is we demand more form people, some can't live upto this standard, so they become depressed through lack of self image and confidence. Two, some become depressed because they feel life is supposed to hand them things because of who they are, kinda like a llegend in tier own mind, Three, the Government pays them to be "Depressed", go to a Doctor tell him how you hate yourself, next thing ya know your getting Disability to stay at home and take your anti depression meds.
Mexico, is poor in a lot of areas, so they are happy with any forward momentum, they see things in a more positive and portective manner that what we as Americans do.

Answer 2

I think it is North American attitude about society and work ethnics that drive up the rates of depression.

Additional Statistics and Information About Depression

Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States
Depression affects almost 10% of the population, or 19 million Americans, in a given year
During their lifetime, 10%-25% of women and 5%-12% of men will become clinically depressed
Women are affected by depression almost twice as often as men
The economic cost of depression is estimated to be over $30 billion each year
Two-thirds of those who are depressed never seek treatment and suffer needlessly
80%-90% of those who seek treatment for depression can feel better within just a few weeks
Research on twins suggests that there is a genetic component to the risk of developing depression
Research has also shown that the stress of a loss, especially the death of a loved one, may lead to depression in some people

Answer 3

In the mid 70's I was fortunate enough to live down in Mexico. There was no lights, no running water, no bathroom, no stress, but that was from a child's view, but that was the most memorable childhood experience I had. Here you have outrageous electric bills, the stress of if your going to get laid off or lose your job due to down sizing or for what ever reason, they do have the drugs down there to treat depression in a matter of fact it is cheaper to get meds across the Border. The American Dream comes with a price to some. And for some it is also an excuse. If you fail, or if you have ever thing at your feet, for some nothing is enough.

Answer 4

I think depression is everywhere, but treated more here. In America every time you open a magazine, turn on the TV, there are pharmaceutical ads all over the place! People actually go to the doctor and request certain meds they've seen advertised. Also, those same companies give so many perks to physicians who prescribe their products, that's the reason the docs just hand out prescriptions left and right instead of recommending other ways to combat depression.

Answer 5

If you will notice, the next time you see a drug commercial, they will end by saying check with your Doctor. Drug companies want you to start taking drugs young, for their profit, not yours. They will develop a drug and have a ghost writer to make up a report stating their supposed benefit per instructions. They will then have a Doctor, who may not have read the report to put his or her name on the study. It is then presented to a medical journal. to give it credibility. Most of the time the cure is worse than the problem.

We in the U.S. are subject to different stresses and most just turn to drugs. You should look at how much better off you are here than in Mexico. A few more years and there will be no difference.

Answer 6

i think your talking out your butt. first of all there is lots of mexican in mexico that dont drank at all. you sound like an idiot by saying that. here in america we have made depression the fad. you got a problem then your depessed take a pill. having a bad day you must be depressed take a pill. you cant sleep your depressed take a pill.us americans dont want to feel any thing.why should you just take a pill. well we are humane and a long with that we have feelings. yes there are people that are truley depressed and needs medication. like i said it become a fad ............your hubby is right on this one

Answer 7

No I think he is right..I have worked in the US and outside..the numbers that report depression and for that matter stress, anxiety, sleep problems etc are very high in my opinion.
But again there are social ramifications to all this....we are talking about a country where >75% marriages end in divorce, where certain ethinicities have illegitimacy rates >75%, where >25% females report some form of sexual abuse in childhood....
Dont get me wrong...this is a great country but poorer countries may be richer in many other ways.

Answer 8

Disclaimer to start with: I have only my own impressions to go on, not real data. Having said that:

The USA is a richer country with better health care. People here go to doctors and are diagnosed, while in Mexico they don't go, because they cannot, or they don't have enough information to know that they ought to go. Perhaps also there is a different feeling here, such as the "should" feeling: we feel we SHOULD be able to have a better life, and feel bad when we don't. Perhaps more folks in Mexico accept their station in life and don't feel bad about not doing better.

It would be interesting to have good information about this.

Anyway, I don't believe that no one in Mexico gets depressed. Still, I am sure that not everyone in Mexico gets drunk, either! So I don't quite agree with either of you.

Answer 9

I think the U.S feeds the problem of diagnosing so many people with depression, I think in Mexico and similar countries they just have bigger things to worry about than the occasional blues.

Answer 10

It depends on who you ask. Depression doesn't really discriminate against anyone. It can occur to any person, but those who experience major life changing events or who have family who have depression are more likely to get depression. It could occur to any random, apparently happy person. There's no evidence of why it starts. So, maybe from where he is, everyone is happy. Maybe where you're from, a lot of major events occur.