Discussion Will/ has depression become 'normal'?

[Forever Sleep]

A friend said that 1 in 3 people at their workplace were on antidepressants. Not surprising. It sounded an awful place to work! I remember when I heard the title: 'Prozac Nation', I mistook it for a cynical comment that so many people were on antidepressants.

It makes me wonder though. Is being 'depressed' a new 'normal'? I think there are obviously degrees of depression and I suppose not everyone develops ideation with it.

I tend to think there is less sympathy for mental illness as opposed to physical illness and, especially for depression. Maybe it's because so many people do seem to have some level of it.

My friend received little sympathy from her Mum when she complained. Her Mum simply responded that everyone was depressed. Even the cat!

What do you think? Are lots of people depressed? Is it a new phenomenon or, have we always been like this?

 

[starboy2k]

Is depression "normal" not really
Is depression "profitable" sadly yes

 

[Pluto]

 

[NoPoint2Life]

I remember over 20 years ago when the four other people in my department each had at least one child on antidepressants. maybe they were more open with each other even with me around because they were all going through something similar.

I thought that was so strange. And those were the days where mental health wasn't nearly as openly discussed.

I think these days the subject isn't as taboo and many people can easily go to their GP and have them prescribe something.