Depression and Despair Growing in the US
From The Ramparts
Junious Ricardo Stanton
Depression and Despair in The US
"Americans are more depressed now than
they have been in decades, a recent study has
found. San Diego State University (SDSU) psychology professor Jean M. Twenge
analyzed data from nearly 7 million adolescents and adults from across the
country and found that more people reported symptoms of depression — including
sleeplessness and trouble concentrating — compared to the 1980s.Twenge’s
findings show that teenagers in the 2010s experience memory trouble 38 percent
more often than their 1980s counterparts. Teens are also 74 percent more likely
to have trouble sleeping and twice as likely to see a professional for mental
health issues. College students in the study reported feeling overwhelmed by
academic and personal demands 50 percent more often than their 1980s
counterparts." 21 Signs That Americans Are the Unhappiest People on
The Planet http://www.hangthebankers.com/21-signs-americans-unhappy/
As we move
into the "holiday season" it is alarming and sad to learn that more
Americans are on anti-depressant psychotropic medication than ever before, that
suicides in the US
are at an all time high and reports indicate Americans of all demographic
groups admit they are extremely unhappy and depressed. In a society that
is as highly advanced technologically as
America is, that is extremely materialistic that has all the superficial trappings
of prosperity, the question remains, why are Americans so unhappy, why is this
country so depressed?
From these
and others we can conclude that there are numerous forces both external
(outside of ourselves) and internal (inside of ourselves) working to undermine
our total well being. In essence, we are miserable because we have been taught
and conditioned to seek happiness and satisfaction outside of ourselves. We are
outer directed instead of focusing on the inner realms of our being: our mind,
emotions and soul. We are unhappy because we acquiesce to the messages and
programming of the media and authority figures who molded and controlled us
when we were young and this control continued into adulthood. We have been
brainwashed to believe our worth is based upon accumulating and owning things.
By seeking status in our possessions, we erroneously think our social position
is dependent on our ability to have stuff and mold ourselves into the notions and
models Madison Avenue tells us make us somebody/something.
When you
look at what Mike Bundrant says in his article
http://www.naturalnews.com/043150_depression_heavy_metal_poisoning_brain_function.html#
you can see why we are out of balance and operating in ways that prevent us
from living in harmony with ourselves, the environment and others. We do not
have to continue to kill our spirits, live in depression, go through life mired
in a sense of emptiness and alienation. If
for example we know that there are toxins in the foods that undermine our
health stop eating those foods! If we know getting out in nature walking barefoot
on the ground or on a beach making contact with the earth and water, breathing
fresh air are beneficial to us, we can do more of these things. Our total wellbeing
is our responsibility we cannot afford not to take it personally, make it a top
priority in our lives or turn it over to someone else no matter how much
education they have.
We have agency we have intrinsic power, we
have the ability to alter our psychological, emotional, mental and physical
being, to go from depressed to a life of fulfillment and happiness. We have to move past the pattern of learned hopelessness
and helplessness to a position of empowerment! We have to move from being mindless
automatons and zombies (it's no coincidence a major theme on television, movies
and video games is zombies). The writer of the article Eight Reasons Depression Why
Depression Is So Common Today mentions Edward Bernays the mastermind
behind American "public relations"; Bernays euphemism for mind
control. Edward Bernays was a nephew of Sigmund Freud. Bernays was an influential
figure in American business and is credited with the development of mass psychological manipulation. He developed a whole regime of tricking and
inducing Americans to do things that weren't necessarily in their best interests
such a smoking cigarettes and eating heavier breakfasts that enriched his clients
and himself! "Bernays was born in Vienna , Austria , in 1891 but grew up in New York City . His mother
was Freud's sister and his father was the brother of Freud's wife, Martha
Bernays. He maintained contact with his uncle, and the family often joined
Freud for summer holidays in the Alps . Bernays
began his career shaping public opinion by creating a media campaign to raise
awareness of venereal disease and sexual hypocrisy. But his application of
psychoanalytic principles to public relations and advertising came only after
reading Freud's 'General Introductory Lectures,' a gift from Freud to his
nephew in thanks for a box of Havana
cigars. In this case, a cigar did prove to be much more than a cigar. The
marriage of psychoanalysis and public relations, facilitated by the box of
Havanas, made Bernays a very wealthy man.Intrigued by Freud's notion that
irrational forces drive human behavior, Bernays sought to harness those forces
to sell products for his clients. In his 1928 book, 'Propaganda,' Bernays
hypothesized that by understanding the group mind, it would be possible to
manipulate people's behavior without their even realizing it. To test this
hypothesis, Bernays launched one of his most famous public relations campaigns:
convincing women to smoke." Psychoanalysis Shapes Consumer Culture by Lisa
Held http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/12/consumer.aspx.
Much of our
depression and misery are because we are being nefariously manipulated.
Corporations use psychologists to design advertising campaigns to play on our
emotions, exploit our sense of inadequacy and our longing for happiness. Of
course this manipulation exacerbates our inadequacies, insecurities and sense
of alienation which impacts our psychological health because it creates
frustration, anger and a sense of emptiness which over time can morph into depression.
We are being unconsciously manipulated and exploited and over time this
manipulation can lead to frustration and if it remains pent up within us it
eventually leads to psychological and often physical implosion: illness,
depression and psychotic episodes.
Add the
readiness of doctors to prescribe anti-depression medications at the drop of a
hat to this scenario and we can see why this country is so zonked out. Anti-depression
medication is not necessarily a cure all. We need to keep in mind they have side
effects and you should be aware of these before you make medication your first
and only option. "Antidepressants can make people feel better, but they
won't change their personality or make them feel happy all the time. Like
taking any other medication, some people will experience some side effects.
Common side effects, depending on which medication is taken, include nausea,
headaches, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, agitation, weight gain, dry mouth and
sexual difficulties (e.g. difficulty becoming/staying aroused). Some of these
symptoms can be short-lived, but people who experience any of these symptoms
should tell their doctor, as there are ways of minimizing them. The likelihood
of a particular side effect happening varies between individuals and
medications." Medical Treatments for Depression https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/treatments-for-depression/medical-treatments-for-depression
The main
thing to remember is we have agency, we have the ability to and can choose how
we respond to and navigate life's ups and downs. We have the ability to frame
our experiences. A flat tire is not a catastrophe it is an inconvenience so
view like that instead of a punishment from your idea of god. Maybe getting
laid off from the job you hated was a good thing, it will allow you to develop
other skills and capacities to earn a living, feel fulfilled and on purpose.
Get on with your life.
We can move beyond learned helplessness and
hopelessness to being empowered and self-actualizing beings taking control of
our lives! We can choose which regimen we use to feel better, we don't have to
go for the okey-doke of prescription drugs nor do we have to set our lives by Madison
Avenue's or anyone else's clock.
As we are
bombarded by advertisements and messages to prompt us to buy and spend,
remember this is psychological manipulation! You have the power to resist this
manipulation, to live your life on your own
terms and not be a pawn of the advertisers and retail industries! Happiness is
not based on how big your bank account is. Real happiness comes from loving
yourself, being fully engaged in the life process, serving and being a blessing
to others.
-30-
posted by Junious Ricardo Stanton @ 10:19 AM
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