A dominant theme in our society is that you should be happy, and if you’re not, there’s something wrong with you. Life can be difficult at times. It is in the labeling of people as depressed that the greatest injustice is done. I’m not suggesting that there aren’t people who are indeed clinically depressed, but simply that the indiscriminate manner in which diagnoses are meted out to people without proper discrimination is grossly absurd. When clinical diagnosis of depression is made in the astronomical numbers we witness in American culture, it speaks to something much larger: A society that has lost its way.
If we see depression as a signal that something is off, we might use the depression to catalyze positive change. Very often depression makes perfect sense. In my practice, I often treat individuals who are being abused, living in loveless relationships or suffering from loss. Depression in such instances seems quite appropriate. Rather than treat the depression, I prefer to assist these people in coming to terms with their life challenges. It is essential to treat the person, not the depression. We must come to understand how the depressed person struggles contextually in their lives and to appreciate their particular struggles and challenges. We must, at all costs, refrain from reducing them to a clinical compilation of symptoms.
(Psychology Today) – Mel Schwartz
4 comments
Environmental factors can be a catalyst to depression and if a specific cause is identified it is logical that change needs to be implemented or perception needs to be altered before depression ceases. I think many people fail to see the correlation between cause and effect, a psychologist can help in identifying the reason and looking at alternate and constructive ways of coping.
The information that a psychologist uses comes form us so one would think that if we are acutely self aware we would have the reason. Maybe the issue is more what to do once we have that information. We may not have the ability or motivation to implement correct change alone at this point as our path to here seems to have not been halted.
Resilience and effective coping strategies are rare on SP, but depression feeds into that as well so a multifaceted approach in treatment is key. It gives the person the best possible chance of recuperation. Depression can have physical as well as psychological symptoms so a correct diagnosis is necessary to begin certain treatment courses. It is just a step in the procedure.
A initial symptoms based approach to determine a diagnosis is normal, we need to start somewhere and this can also exclude disorders. Depression can be physically harmful to the body so if it has come to this point medical intervention is a logical step. Together with other treatments in order for recuperation to occur as fast as possible.
It would appear that stigma is also a relevant factor although as uncomfortable as it is it should not override the best possible treatment.
Sadness and happiness are all part of human emotions and experiencing them to some degree is completely normal. If we do not diagnose who is to distinguish between normal traits and abnormal highs and lows?
Why yes yes it is
I read the post, and yes yes yes. I think stunted emotional growth is often labeled as depression. You see countless cases of people catered to by their families, where they enable them out of pity and overall hopelessness. This only breeds mental disorder and depression.
I am not sure if society is manufacturing depressed people, as much as, its manufacturing social paths that make people like us, on this site, depressed…..
Then again, maybe they are…. It’s a double edge sword. Slay me, now.