The state of the world has made my de... - Anxiety and Depre...

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The state of the world has made my depression exponentially worse.

morgie1 profile image
14 Replies

Are there people whose depression has gotten much worse because of the events of the past several years? The censorship, the dehumanizing attacks when you don't mimic the mainstream narrative, the psyop being directed at you if you don't agree with what the authorities tell you . . . I don't recognize this country anymore. And being from a "3rd World" corrupt country, it is clear as day that the US is now there. I don't want to go political. But the banana republic this place has become and the COVID lies are the source of extreme despondency for me. I don't see a reason to be hopeful about anything. The world is insane; the elite are drooling over the power grab that's happening. I don't know how one copes with this.

If you think I'm a crazy conspiracy theorist, please just ignore this post. I don't want to get attacked on this site, too. I'm tired of being belittled or called horrible names because of my beliefs. I want to hear from people who understand my point of view and can offer insights. Well, even if you can't offer insights, it helps me to be able to commiserate, too.

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morgie1 profile image
morgie1
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14 Replies
fauxartist profile image
fauxartist

No , your not a conspiracy theorist, and at the risk of breaking the no politics rule here, I won't comment on the political aspects, although I agree with you on the split in the country. It's too terrifying to even imagine the outcomes in 2024 of the loss of Democracy. That gives me nightmares and a lot of anxiety.

Depression is more widespread than ever in the United States, according to a new report from Gallup.

About 18% of adults – more than 1 in 6 – say they are depressed or receiving treatment for depression, a jump of more than 7 percentage points since 2015, when Gallup first started polling on the topic.

Nearly 3 in 10 adults have been clinically diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime, according to the survey, which is also a record high.

The Covid-19 pandemic took an undeniable toll on mental health. Rates of clinical depression had been rising steadily in the US but “jumped notably” in recent years, the Gallup data shows.

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply tofauxartist

If it is of any comfort, certainly since Covid-19 Pandemic, standards have fallen not just in USA but very much in UK, certainly do not need any polls to tell me, I would say to anybody else! That is just common knowledge🥴

fauxartist profile image
fauxartist in reply toAdlon57

Considering the extent of common knowledge...everyone's truth is different. Some people choose to believe what they decide to, wear blinders, rose colored glasses, or live in denial...the level of division in the US...and Brexit in the UK is confirmation of that. The depression and anxiety levels are through the roof...when I started years ago on this site...there were less than 7000 members....now there are over 81,000 members.

LoveforAll41 profile image
LoveforAll41

Hey morgie, I can definitely commiserate. The only thing that helps me at all is to stay away from the news and work to build my preferred life within my own sphere as best I can. I like to remind myself to "lift where I stand" when I am feeling overwhelmed.

fauxartist profile image
fauxartist in reply toLoveforAll41

I agree that re-grouping and taking a break is really important for recharging your batteries, and when you are okay enough and want to keep up with what's going on around you, then do, but I can't get too absorbed for too long or it's just too hard emotionally,...then I need to digest and decompress, and do something that makes me feel good...those are my tools, paint, movies, cat, partner, garden watching...butterflies are going crazy on the herb flowers, and bees are buzzin.

morgie1 profile image
morgie1

Thank you for all the replies - for the advice, for the understanding, for the validating . . .

Arymretep profile image
Arymretep

I agree, Covid has a lot to answer for, things have never been the same since

Dell12345 profile image
Dell12345

I think over the years news sources have become more and more sensational, which has driven this huge division in society. That coupled with deliberate miss-information campaigns, increasing inequality, the offshoring of manufacturing, the exponential rise in house prices and education costs, have made life more and more individual. We all have to chase money, and we mistake this for success. A really interesting example I think is: Moving away from one's loved ones for a better paying job. The societal view is that this is a good move, but is it? Moving away from your family and friends for a few more dollars actually might not be the best thing to do if it leaves you with fewer social connections. Social connections are far more important for happiness than money.

Anyway, I think most news sources are worth avoiding. They are selling a sensationalised product, not factual or useful information. There is normally very little one can do about what one sees/reads, so maybe it's best not to engage with it.

The circumstances in this country contribute greatly to anxiety and depression. I’m sure that it’s true for others beside myself. It makes it even harder to be mentally healthy - much more difficult.

Love and peace to all.

catsrock profile image
catsrock

Yes, I totally get this. The U.S. is in a bad way - it's very depressing.

designguy profile image
designguy

Remember that you get to choose what you want to watch or read and what you take away from it. You have the power to turn it off and not watch it if it is too triggering for you. Unfortunately a lot of people let themselves be manipulated by fear and wind up going down rabbit holes that just feed and inflame the fear. Now more than ever before, critical thinking, self-validation and self-care is necessary to function in society.

PuzzleArt profile image
PuzzleArt

First, thank you for being a type of pioneer and having the courage to speak up about something that is too obvious to ignore or "sweep under the rug". So far on this site I have not been censored but wear as cautious about mentioning anything political (or religious). Yes, it is part of my life now that I hear about changes that affect me. I do listen to news and hear the opinions. The vindictiveness and hatred are exoressed by people, some of whom have power to make laws and enforce them. In order to discuss how I am managing the changes and cutting down the stress associated with them, I have to discuss my beliefs. One relevant belief I have is that events are part "fate" and part "free will" The "fate" part is my belief that we are born at the right and appropriate time for each one of us as an individual, and that, when we are born in a certain time of history, it means to me that we have the right amount of courage and temperament to handle the current events if that time, regardless of our feelings. I seem to have geen influenced by hearing a common saying: Courage is not being conpletely unafraid. ( Also there is a kind of humorous saying : "If you aren't afraid, then you don't understand the circumstances" My spiritual strength ( in the neaasure I have it) does not come from old sayings or cliches, but some of them have been around for a long time because they have some truth to them ( like "A stitch in time saves nine" a good one for me because I tend to procrastinate). But now to how I try to keep my anxiety down during obviously tumultous events happening in the workd right now.I do listen to some news, but briefly now. I don't like to listen to those who are very angry or afraid or hopeless. It isn't that difficult to turn media off when I notice it is affecting me. I actually react to some news reports with depression or anxiety, so that is a signal to me to get away from it . I am not saying that ignorance is bliss. I grew up in a family that discussed politics ( My mother had a degree in Political Science!). Also I have lived through a lot of different eras. When I was young I didn't like history, but now I have lived through it ( I don't have to Google,or Duckduckgo it) . So one thing I do is try to cut down on listening to negative thinkers. That may be impossible today The political parties narrowed from sometimes having a third party to vote for, to the bipolar system that is so powerful, it makes it almost impossible for a third party to get in debates, let alone win What was for years more like a Superbowl where fans had their favorite team and rooted for them, to has become a viscious serios fight Now, I have talked too long for most people to read all if it,and haven't really covered adequately the spiritual side. I believe in a power greater than myself who is dependable ( and good) and has control of history, at least the main outcomes. I also believe that within our human limits, we have free will and we can use it in many situations, but the people who want to do evil to others have some limits also, that they are not even aware of. The Bible says that because the consequences for their actions are not seen or felt speedily, they continue on with them ( that is, they continue on doing things that hurt others because theybthink they got away with it. That causes us to think they got away with it also, and then we think good people alwats suffer and bad people always have good things hapoen to .them .) Right now, I do not and cannot believe in "hell" meaning a place of eternal torment. Most places in the Bible that is a parable ( Gehenna was a garbage dump). Unfortunately, many people who believe the Bible only have 2 verses they can twist to mean such a terrible thing. Psychologically, I have to forgive them, as they know down deep that "hell" as eternal torture is wrong. They have to believe it, they think, in order to have faith in God, who knows better than they But it is intellectually and morally flawed . Eternal fire is mentioned for the "devil and (wicked) angels, who do not have a physical body, just a spiritual "body". No one with a physical body is tortured forever . Just think about it! That would obliterate the meaning of the entire Bible! And obliterate completely the good in this world and the next! ( I will probable be censored now!) If you got this far, have a good day, a good week, and a very productive and fulfilling life!

morgie1 profile image
morgie1 in reply toPuzzleArt

Yes, I got that far . . . Read every word. Thank you for your thoughtful insights.

Mrspjsmom profile image
Mrspjsmom

Things have changed alot since covid. More people are depressed and there aren't enough mental health services to handle it. I deal with it by being polite to others and show kindness in any little way I can. Yes the divide is real. I don't know how to fix that. But I make the best of my little corner of the world.

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