Spoiled society? Why so many have mental health issues?

Question

Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in another country where we in america have most of what we need. How many of us have food in our fridge, central air/heat, a vehicle, clothes, and a nice home to live in. How many of us have good health and have not been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Why do we always think about the negative and not the positive? I get on here and read so many post that ask about depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorder. Sometimes it seems like having a mental health issue is a popular thing to have in this society. If we lived in another country where we did not have the comforts we have here in the USA; I believe we would then have a reason to be depressed. We would stop to smell the flowers and be thankful for what we had. Do you understand what I am trying to get at, think about the commercials where children are digging in the landfills for food, or the commercials for St Jude hospital where kids as young as 3 and 4 years olds are dying of cancer. Now think about the last time you went shopping at the mall and bought that pair of $45.00 jeans or even went to McDonalds and ate that Happy meal. I think we are spoiled society, how would we deal with a major disaster, something bigger than the twin towers or hurricain Katrina. If we are depressed now with what we have, how would we deal with not having the things we have now, no electricity, no gas for our cars, no money to shop with, no food or if our homes were destroyed. Do you ever think of this kind of stuff?

Answer 1

People can't help it if they have a mental illness.. material things aren't going to make it better.

There's a difference between simply being unhappy about something, and being clinically depressed.

(I'm not American)

Answer 2

NO NO NO, Depression and other mental illnesses are called "illnesses" for a reason.  They are caused by chemicals in the brain,  A physical cause.

It isn't due to a state of mind!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only reason that it seems like there is more of it, is because more people are getting help despite stigmas created by attitudes like the one described in your question.  Some people have had real disasters in their lives in the US.  Some kids do go hungry in the US.  You must not get out much.

I hope you really aren't a non -caring person.  The way you refer to mental illness as an "issue".  I hope no one close to you ever has a mental illness, because you won't be of much help to them.

Answer 3

Nowadays people don't think or do what they want to.

We think what people advertisements and politicians want us to think.

Answer 4

I do not buy $45 jeans.

We do not go to mcdonalds everyday, when we do it is a treat.

We do have life long physical and mental illness's here.

I agree we are a spoiled society. However it really sounds like you have the perfect American dream, not every one does.

Many live witth daily struggles  and there are many Katrina survivors. Just because you yourself have a cushiony life do not assume everyone does, living in America or not.

Volunteer at the hospital, the homeless shelter , church.  See what the world other then your own little box is like.

I do not have to think of that kind of stuff, I have lived through it, gives one another perspective of life and how precious it is.  

Wish you well.

Answer 5

Yes i think about it all the time. My parents and grand parents lived through WWII they had it tough. Yes we are pathetic really with our spoilt little lives always complaining. I read one post yesterday about girl who said her mom was being a b@#$ because she would not buy her some clothes from Holister...lol

When i was younger we wore what we was given, we had no choice. We obeyed out parents for the most part.

I'm really not sure where this originated from, but it seems to be getting worse.

I deal with it every day at work also, people complaining about how they hate their job, when at least they have one.

Answer 6

I think health is what we should indeed be grateful for if we have it. At least physical health. And that we have a home and we can afford certain things to buy from time to time that are more than just basic needs.

But mental health issues just come and, although we may even think about those things you have listed, we simply feel guily but are unable to do anything about it. It just happens. But yes, there are much worse things in this world than have anxiety about answering the phone when in other places of the world people are struggling to survive. Those people with mental health issues need however understanding and love and support to get better.

Answer 7

how you were raised during your childhood would have plenty to do with your current mental health.

if your parents always made you feel like you weren't good enough when you were a child, it would be internalized inside you and when you mature into an adult, the negativity would still be with you. you'll keep thinking that you aren't good enough and compare yourself to others and you'll get depressed.

so how well you're nurtured and raised as a child would make a lot of difference to your mental health as an adult. so no matter how wealthy people are, they will still be depressed.

there isn't a choice to be depressed or not, until people recognize that they are indeed depressed and seek help to change.