Anxiety and Depression More Common?
Why are anxiety and depression so common these days?
Anxiety Question:
Why are anxiety and depression so common these days?
Is it just that we have found new terms for and legitimized diagnoses of things which previously would have been quietly written off as 'nerves'?
Anxiety Answer:
I think the reason anxiety and depression are more common is three fold.
First, life is more hectic and faster paced. This pace of life distances us from each other. Humans are social creatures. We need social interaction, to feel needed and to feel loved. This becomes harder the more we try to cram into our lives.
Second, as psychology grows, we learn more about the brain, its chemicals and how they are influenced by the environment. So we are better able to classify something as anxiety and depression.
Last, depression is the sickness 'du jour'. People are stressed and want a quick fix. So they look for medication to fix what a change in lifestyle would do by itself. This de-legitimizes the pain felt by those with true anxiety and depression.
More about anxiety and depression now and before:
- Was there anxiety and depression in the past?
- Are anxiety, depression and general mood disorders more prevalent?
- Why do so many Americans have anxiety and panic attacks?
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