Why is there so many depressed people?

Question

Isn't life ****?

Why do we bother?

Yes! I am depressed!

What gives you the strength to go on when you feel depressed?

Answer 1

They haven't found their "Happy Spot"
Once they do- who cares?

Answer 2

I'm not saying that your not depressed but I think alot of what your talking about is because people say they are depressed when actually they're not. Feeling blue is really common but depression is something much deeper. I have suffered with both and recognise when I just feel down - it passes after a while (can take a couple of days sometimes). Depression is much worse - feeling you can't go on, wanting to harm yourself or others - just such a deep fog you can see no way out. Not wanting to get up, eat, drink, dress.....
I hope that you manage to pick yourself up, but if not please see a doctor - there is nothing wrong with getting medical help. Depression is an illness like any other.
Take care xx

Answer 3

There is so many depressed people in this world because of all the bad things that goe's on and the evil people in it. We bother because even though everyone has S***! times we can get through it and there is some good caring people out there who can help us to be happy.

Answer 4

There is a theory that depression is a result of having the intelligence to see how grim life really is. The people who aren't depressed are just too stupid to know how bad it is.

I don't go along with this entirely (!) although I do think there is a grain of truth. But I think part of the problem today is that we no longer have to do the basic things in order to survive. If you HAVE to be part of a community, which HAS to work together to get food (hunting, gathering or growing), keep safe (from wild animals, shelter from the elements etc), to make food and eat together, to work together to bring up children - then you have an inner sense of yourself as part of the whole which is very different from how we are living today in most of the English-speaking world.

I think it's because we lead such isolated lives with very little sense of purpose (in a more 'primitive' culture, all work is life-and-death purposeful). It's hard to have a sense of ourselves as worthwhile when what we do, all too often, is work in a boring job in something that doesn't ultimately matter, or we're unemployed. We don't live forever within our families, around people who we just have to get on with (of course it had its problems, but also its benefits in that we felt secure). The world has changed dramatically in the last 200 years, and the fastest changes have probably been in the last 20 years.

Add to this the weird cultural expectations we seem to have developed - that you're nothing unless you're attractive, underweight, earning lots of money, envied by others, etc and on top of that you're 'meant' to be happy all the time (the most unrealistic goal anyone ever dreamed up) - well, who lives up to that in reality? And why on earth do people want to? But they do, and failing to do so makes many people feel awful.

So I think it's not surprising that so many people feel depressed. I just hope that in a while, we will have found better ways to have community again, to be more in touch with the basics of human existence - and thus feel more purposeful, more part of things, more able to see some collective joy in life.

EDIT: What gives you the strength to go on? Well, I would hope that getting some sense of why does help a bit. Then, doing things that DO get you back in touch with basics can be a godsend. Growing your own vegetables is a surprisingly therapeutic activity (this includes herbs in pots on a windowsill if you have no ground to grow into). Make music with friends, if you have the slightest talent in that direction. Learn to cook, and make meals for others as well as yourself. Volunteer in a homeless shelter or with disabled kids or adults with learning difficulties. All of these are hard to get started with when you're feeling depressed, but if there is anyone who can support you, ask them to help you do one of these things. Once you get going, I don't promise you'll feel fantastically happy, but I am certain you will feel different.

Answer 5

After suffering a serious episode of depression that did not respond to traditional medications, I had to take control of my own behavior and make changes for the better. Granted it took a long time for it to soak in that I actually could effect my mood. I argued with my doctor for years, wanting some magic relief without taking any responsibility. I eventually began exercising, lost weight, cut my hair, started meditating and using music to relax. I also read self-help books, used positive self-talk, began a journal, and eliminated a couple of toxic friends from my life. People began to compliment me and say that they couldn't believe all the changes. I still have down-turns and lose sight of what helps me, this holiday season being one of them, but I just try to recall what really helps me and get back on track. Good luck, I hope you can take some responsiblity for making a difference in your own feelings.

Answer 6

Yes Indeed it is.
Life is usually or sometimes always
like that for me.
No idea
Um What can Help Me is Music
It dosnt take it away but it can help it block it out
for a bit while your listening to it.
Try it if you haven't but it has to be the right type.

Answer 7

I believe it is easier to think ones self down I've not got etc far harder to be positive unless your one of those lucky people most of arn''t there is some much to try to grab so little money the list goes on

Answer 8

if u continue to find a therapy in the forms of unnatural means, be they pills or prolonged net surfing, things will worsen. a natural lifestyle and positive attitude is the best cure.

Answer 9

One reason is that we are in the depth of winter and many people are affected by SAD.

Answer 10

What keeps me going is that no matter what SH** life gives, I'll find the One!!!! (A wife, not Neo.)