Depression occurs in about 9.5% of the adult American population. Depression starts at a very early age. About 4% of pre-schoolers are clinically depressed. 41% of women are to embarrassed to see help and 80% of people currently depressed are not getting any kind of help. 15% of depressed people will commit suicide. These numbers are on the rise.
Many people assume popping prescription pills will help, if not solve, the depression "problem". Actually most prescription pills are only effective in approximately 40% of cases. And that figure is on the decline. And drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil have recently been shown to cause increased risk of suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding, and brain tumors. I think I'd rather be depressed.
Chronic or life-long depression is caused by trauma in childhood which includes: emotional, physical or sexual abuse; yelling or threats of abuse; neglect (even two parents working); criticism; inappropriate or unclear expectations; maternal separation; conflict in the family; divorce; family addiction; violence in the family, neighborhood or TV; racism and poverty. So pretty much living in today's society is going to fuck you up majorly.
The best thing you can do is see a therapist and maybe take an antidepressant. But never think you're alone. There are many of us, all over. And if you're thinking about committing suicide, please get help. Don't wait, you're not alone.
Please call: 1-800-784-2433, 1-800-273-8255, or 1-800-442-4673 for English support. 1-800-784-2432 for Spanish support. 1-877-968-8454 for teen to teen peer counseling. 1-800-773-6667 for postpartum depression help.
There is help out there.
“...Depression is not sobbing and crying and giving vent, it is plain and simple reduction of feeling...People who keep stiff upper lips find that it's damn hard to smile.”
