Is there an “Epidemic” of Depression?

Things are definitely getting better. My brother died in the 1970s. He was told by The Samaritans to 'pull himself together'. Obviously that wouldn't happen now. He made a few attempts to take his own life previously. He was greeted at the hospital with 'Oh you're one of those are you?'. At least we've moved on from that. However, last time I was at the doctor's in bits, she couldn't get me out of there fast enough.

In accounts of people's lives, I have often read of parents who behaved very strangely or/and cruelly.
It seems likely that at least some of those parents had undiagnosed mental health problems which now could be helped.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression some twenty years ago. I was in the middle of the menopause, I had a stressful job, and I’d just recovered from a life threatening illness. Kate is right, it’s not feeling a bit low, it’s the most horrible feeling I have ever had, and I can’t begin to explain how it is. Despite many attempts to come off the antidepressants, I find it always comes back, and so I keep taking the tablets because on the whole, they keep me well. If very difficult and stressful situations occur, I have to increase the dose for a few months and then gradually take them down again.
I just want to say, clinical depression is real, it’s awful, and I wish I’d never had it. I had a very controlling mother as a child, and people who have controlling parents are more susceptible to depression. So are women going through the menopause. The main thing is to deal with it.

I understand that depression which requires medication is nothing like just feeling unhappy at times, and I think it is a great step forward that stigma is gradually reducing towards mental ill health.

However it can still prove difficulty for people in certain situations and jobs to be open about their mental health.

It just does concern me that so many young people, as young as 10 years old, need medication to be able to manage their young lives.
We have a better lifestyle than in many parts of the world, but is there something fundamentally wrong in a society where mental illness including depression, is so commonly diagnosed.

If so what is it?

When there “seems to be more of it (anything) about” I suspect the big factor is that the health professionals and society in general are more aware of the symptoms and attuned to the needs of sufferers who are able to be honest about their situation and seek help.
Which has to be a good thing.

I have a friend who suffers with depression and it has a devastating effect on her whole family. She couldn't hold down a job, was admitted to hospital, became anorexic ruined her life!!! ?

Depression is an awful illness and the sooner the sufferer gets help the better. We have had family members and friends with this and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

Witzend

IMO the bar for seeking help is lower than it used to be. I certainly wouldn’t want to go back to the days when people were told to pull themselves together, or snap out of it, but I do think people are less resilient, and some seem to think that if they’re not reasonably happy most of the time, a visit to the GP is called for.
Wasn’t it once pretty usual to accept that you’re probably going to be feeling low now and then? And/or worried about something? But that didn’t mean you were necessarily clinically depressed or that you ‘had anxiety’.

I know I’ve certainly been through some very low periods, and some very anxious ones, but they did pass eventually, without the help of drugs.

How lucky for you

I was exactly the same Blondiescot Very much in the 'pull yourself together brigade'. Until it hit me. Yes I agree.

I have to confess that years ago, I was probably guilty of being a bit dismissive of people claiming they were 'depressed', thinking that they just needed to pull themselves together, etc. How wrong was I? It can happen to anyone at anytime. For me, it came along with the menopause - and as Kate1949 has so rightly said, it's not about feeling low or worried. It's far more complex than that - but if increased publicity and 'celebrities' coming forward to talk about their mental health issues helps people feel that they too can reach out for help, that's got to be a good thing.

Yes I agree. Many years ago, there was little or no help with disastrous consequences for my sibling.

I agree Kate1949 the term depression is bandied around too loosely, clinical depression is truly awful.
It's good that people feel more able to ask for help now and that must account for some of the rise in numbers as Blondiescot said.

It is not about feeling low or worried.

IMO the bar for seeking help is lower than it used to be. I certainly wouldn’t want to go back to the days when people were told to pull themselves together, or snap out of it, but I do think people are less resilient, and some seem to think that if they’re not reasonably happy most of the time, a visit to the GP is called for.
Wasn’t it once pretty usual to accept that you’re probably going to be feeling low now and then? And/or worried about something? But that didn’t mean you were necessarily clinically depressed or that you ‘had anxiety’.

I know I’ve certainly been through some very low periods, and some very anxious ones, but they did pass eventually, without the help of drugs.

As someone who suffers with severe depression, it is not unhappiness. It is horrendous and frightening.
However, and I am probably being unkind, every celebrity under the sun has it. It's becoming a bandwagon.

I agree that there's a combination of factors and that lockdowns haven't helped.

However, recent events seem to have caused the spread of the idea that depression is expected! Children are given counselling for the slightest thing and nobody seems to have any robustness.

Of course there are many people who genuinely have problems and I'm not belittling them. There should be help for anyone who needs it. However, sometimes I begin to think that there's something wrong with me because I'm not depressed (although I can feel a bit miserable occasionally).

I think it's probably a whole combination of factors, to be honest. The pandemic has undoubtedly contributed to the situation in ways which may not become apparent for some time, but I think it's also a good thing because - to me - it means that people are feeling more able to admit that they are suffering and to seek help and support. In this day and age, there should be no stigma attached to mental health issues and people should be encouraged to talk about things such as anxiety and depression and to seek help wherever they can. Far better that than suffering in silence - or worse.