Is Having Mental Health Problems And Depression Becoming Fashionable?

[dave50]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9741927/DR-MAX-PEMBERTON-cool-depression-young-people-latest-accessory.html
Yes there are genuine cases but it seems that everyone and their dog likes to jump on the band wagon. We're no longer allowed feel a bit fed up or upset about things that happen in our day to day life, instead it must mean we have mental health problems or depression. Life is not one long bed of roses, there are ups and downs that we have to endure. The young especially seem to have been convinced that they have mental health problems when of course most of them are suffering no such thing, we shop stop pandering to them.

[pixie374]

It helps some people though, woof. But that's more bi-polar, not clinical depression.

[pixie374]

I just think it can vary too much, even within an individual, to pigeonhole really, rowan. It's already divided into potential causes, because that helps treatment (genetic, ptsd, mixture etc), but degrees vary. Men are more likely to commit suicide, but half as likely to get depression. May be a coping thing.

[rowanwitch]

I agree we need to find an alternative to lithium, I have at least one friend who chooses intermittent episodes of instability rather than suffer the side effects

I lived most of my life around 3a with odd exacerbations, Depression is my natural state,I am very good at concealing how bad I am feeling until I hit a crisis point. but I recently found out something that will make a huge difference to how I live, and how I feel about myself

[wolf63]

I've been on it since 1996, apart from a few times that they tried some other drugs.

I suffer from Cognitive dysfunction as a result and I have been unable to work since 2003. Luckily my seriously dark and mischievous sense of humour helps.

[rowanwitch]

I was thinking more of a simple way of indicating severity that non medical people could understand, I think men suffer depression more often than is recorded, they just don't get the diagnosis.

[rowanwitch]

I think a dark sense of humour is essential. Mine comes out at hopelessly inappropriate times

[pixie374]

Yes, quite possibly, rowan. Lithium always seems to be used as a last alternative. Did you find that, woof?

[douglas9401]

At least 'traumatised' is back on the subs bench.

[rowanwitch]

Often misused but sometimes the only fitting description. The skill is turning traumatized to survivor

[top_driver]

It is a little bit. A lot are reacting to something that has happened or is happening. And some need assistance to get over it. But the more difficult one is when something sinks in to the subconscious - because there is no specific answer to it. Then there is the chemical imbalance. Labels are so easily and swiftly given

[roopower]

I feel that some of the 'pull yourself together' brigade on here are those that slept in a drawer and waded through 20 feet high snowdrifts to get to school - all without complaining, of course. Many have said sensible and thoughtful things about mental health who know more about it than I do. Fortunately, I seem to be robust in that way but I have a son and daughter who both have bouts of mental ill health, daughter with anxiety and son depression - the real McCoy- frightening to witness knowing there is nothing I can do to help, except be on his side. Fortunately we have a nurse practitioner who is on the ball and puts him in touch with those able to help him crawl out of the darkness. Don't tell me I have to tell him to pull himself together!

[rowanwitch]

It's so hard to live with, I was lucky that first my female partner, then Dave, were brilliant at spotting when I was deteriorating, picking up the slack when the best I could do was get up , dress and stare at the tv , they were beside me every time I was at my sickest, even though I was not nice to be around.
So to every carer, every family member who does this, you are amazing, and you may be saving a life, just as much as a blood donor, or someone who does CPR .

[pixie374]

I agree, rowan... if it hadn't been for my sister and ex at the time, I hate to think what would have happened with my children. Even the health visitor said at one point, that if I didn't have three under 3s, they would recommend residential care. I'll never forget those who helped.

[Theland]

I am completely puzzled and confused about my own mental health.
I have been prescribed Citalopram for years, and more recently Mirtazapine.
I was prescribed a series of sessions with a psychologist.
I am at present quite well, but the stress of day to day living, (after a house move, and three broken bones in my foot, as well as ongoing COPD problems), can quickly turn into a black fog that is beyond my ability to describe in English.
In answer to the question asked, then, yes, too many people jump on the bandwagon. Maybe for financial reasons, I am tempted to say.
Depression is horrible, and when it hits, I have to spend days in bed, drugged for sleep.
My sympathy to any other genuine sufferers.

[pixie374]

Theland, what confuses you? You should speak to your GP, if any of your treatment doesn't make sense. You are on two antidepressants, one of which is more directed for anxiety. Which you probably know. But you do have some obvious causes.
I'm not sure there is a financial benefit to those claiming a mental illness? It does have to be diagnosed... and doctors are actually still more likely to miss something, than over-diagnose. They are reluctant.

[Mamyalynne]

What you are largely describing there Theland is depression as a response to life events, those can cover almost anything from giving birth,to a death in the family,illness or redundancy for example.

Then there is the depression that seems to strike from nowhere and for the sufferer and those around them that is often harder to deal with.

[Theland]

Pixie :- Nothing as far as I know confuses me.
My depression, when it hits, is beyond description, and nothing has ever been identified as a cause.

[pixie374]

There isn't always an obvious cause, theland. It can be genetic, or seemingly random. That doesn't matter. You just need to get it treated.
I understand, in that, I get random anxiety- used to be panic attacks- which I knew, even then, were completely irrational. One thing that did help, was a GP, who properly explained the physiology etc, and touch wood, once I understood how it worked, I haven't had one since.

[Theland]

Cheers Pixie.

[Ken4155]

^
I was on Citalopram for about 6 months, Theland. Had me climbing the walls and chewing wallpaper! Made me feel much more depressed and anxious, almost suicidal at times. Switched to Sertraline and noticed a marked difference within just a couple of months.
The problem with mental health is deciding just who, among our young citizens, are genuine sufferers and who are the ones who are just 'fed up', etc. Not an easy task i would think.