with all the depression and phycosis out there maybe it is our modern fast paced world that is mentally ill?

Question

i know that many people have genuine chemical imbalances but sometimes i think it is just our society that causes a lot of mental problems

thanks for the answers i found them interesting as 4 u dr phil i have a life it seems like u r the one with the internet addiction

Answer 1

Maybe you want to do some research on psychosis, bi-polar disorder, mental illnesses, etc. (outside of Yahoo Q&A). Knowing one person with the disorder does not make anyone an expert - it's different for everyone.
There are people out there who grab attention by getting caught up in the drama of the mental illness du jour. They are a bunch of phonies. There are people who are hypochondriacs and classify normal everyday sadness as "severe emotional problems" so they can wallow.
There are people who cannot help themselves and given the choice would choose not to live in fear of going over the edge or needing to take medication to have a bearable life.
Society does not create "mental problems" - they are there already. Society's acceptance of mental illnesses has made it a little bit easier for those who truly struggle, but the down-side is that it has brought the phonies out of the woodwork.

Answer 2

I think it's a combination. I've suffered from depression for years, and I definately believe people can have chemical imbalances. However, depression and other mood disorders are caused by or intensified by stress, so maybe those of us with chemical imbalances wouldn't be as bad off if we weren't as stressed by work, families, and everything else we have to do.

Also you have to keep in mind, decades ago, people who suffered from depression or other mental/mood disorders weren't diagnosed. They were "posessed by demons" (centuries ago) or were considered lunatics, or it was just part of their personality. It's impossible to compare how many people have depression now against how many had it 50 years ago, because it wasn't called "depression." It could be that not THAT many more people have it now than they did back then. Add to that the extreme "treatments" for depression (the most common treatment for any mental/mood disorder a century ago was shock therapy), and you have yourself a pretty good reason not to come forward and get diagnosed.

Personally, I think it's a combination. There are people who have chemical imbalances naturally. There are people who stress themselves into depression (with or without chemical imbalances). There are people who, a long time ago, would have been defined in a different way, but no matter what you call it, it's still depression.

Answer 3

I have been suffering from post partum depression for the past one year when I gave birth to a baby boy. I couldn't stop thinking about how my husband loves him more than me and how things might be better if he wasn't born at all. Thus, I stayed away from him because I knew that I might do something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Almost instantly I went to a therapist and convince them that I need help. Among other things, I've tried herbal supplements and other book to treat depression but nothing works like the Depression Free Method. So now I'm proud to say I'm one of the happiest mother in the world. My husband loves us both very much and I thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 4

I believe that it has to do with the life style of North America. Almost everything is suppsoed to be on the run for 25 hours a day. The body cannot handle such stress so it creates these disorders to make the body stop and relaize its not a machine. Im taking about illnesses that are progressive such as stress and depressions.

In countries where life isnt so fast , people do not tend to have such over abundance of stresses out drones trying trying to make a buck. Check it out. People in rural areas dont drop down dead of stress related illnesses. Im almost convinced to move to Ireland and work on a farm. Fresh clean air, working hard outdoors and feel a sence of accomplishment.

Answer 5

A film (DVD) called "The Corporation" uses a standard checklist of symptoms to decide that typical corporations (legally individuals) are psychopaths. To the degree that they make lots of money and provide jobs, they may be considered admirable and be imitated. They may also influence politics.

Another film you may wish to see is "We don't live under NORMAL CONDITIONS: A film about depression and suicide". I have *not* seen it, but it concludes (per the web site) that there *is* something outside the individual causing depression.

To some extent, depression is a normal risk of aging, with the decline of certain hormones. For more, see book "SuperHormones"

Answer 6

yes i agree. a lot of panic , depression, and anxiety disorders can be attributed to our life style, and the stresses in to days world and society. our world is more difficult and scary to live in now. communications and the media like the shock effect , and always center on the terrible things in the world, causing more stress and anxiety to the average person. i would think it is more difficult to raise children in to days world. i also think there is more organic mental illness, due to chemical imbalances, because it is genetic, and our population is growing.

Answer 7

I have to agree. Sometimes dont you just want to live in a shack on the beach with no TV, etc.... Physiology plays a big role in mental illness but then very often, so does environment.

Answer 8

Oh, absolutely...the things that are on tv these days has a lot to do with everything too. Nothing but sex and violence...music is another one.
Now, don't get me wrong here, I am not saying that it's ALL bad or ALL a bad influence. It's not...there are a lot of educational tools out there too.
I agree with you, a lot of it has to do with what we ACCEPT as a society these days. We have definetely lowered our standards, no doubt.

Answer 9

Good question. I myself suffer some imbalances...they are well under control. This reminds me of a question my mother once asked me years ago. How do we know that people who are retarded aren't really normal and WE are the retarded ones?

Answer 10

I think society is quick to call everything an illness to make a profit. For instance did you know there are twelve step groups for "Internet Addiction:? Please, get a life.