Anti-depressed Zion
I was recently out on a date with a wonderful man who has been divorced for several years. He mentioned that almost all of the women he has dated over the years are taking anti-depressent medicine. I also know many men who take similar drugs.
I have often wondered why so many people are so depressed. I don’t know the statistics and wonder if the percentages of depressed people are similar in LDS and non-LDS groups. My question for this post is to ask why LDS people are so depressed? We know the gospel is true, we have blessings, tender mercies, spiritual experiences and miracles shared with us constantly. We should be happy!!! Are we too hard on ourselves? Are our expectations too high? Do we feel to much pressure from society, culture, or ourselves? Maybe depression is due to all of these things, but I wonder if there is a way we can we help each other? It is easy to help someone in need when the need is clearly visable. Depression is not clearly visable and people suffering from it, usually suffer alone. It seems to me that depression is a hidden epidemic. I am not an expert and don’t suffer from depression, but would value your opinions.
May 6th, 2006 07:11
I was once depressed, but I found a solution that worked for me. I don’t have any real experience with anti-depressants, I tried cymbalta for two days before i started throwing it up, but then tried a different route. Unfortunately, it’s a route that not many people have the money or time to pursue. I went to a therapist who after a long period of time has helped me realize what really was behind those thoughts, and how I could fix them.
There are people who most certainly have some form of biological depression, however, I feel that a majority of those diagnosed with depression don’t. I think it’s a popular affliction these days. When I went through it, it was my excuse for everything. I didn’t do this, because I was depressed. I didn’t do that, because I was depressed. It was hard to be happy, but so easy to be depressed. I feel the adversary wants us to think that life is too hard.
The process I took to get out of depression was through constantly refining the way I processed information. My logic was terrible, and I didn’t know it until I actually thought really hard about it. Through stopping depressing thoughts from progressing, and making positive lifestyle changes, I can now say that I am depression free. It took a long time, but it was worth it.
I guess what i’m really trying to say through all of my mumbling is that medication is a short term fix. With or without medication, it takes a lot of changes and hard work to figure it all out. I’m just glad I had a Heavenly Father to pray to, and the reassurance that he loved me constantly guiding me through the process. Oh, and a really great therapist helped a lot too!
May 6th, 2006 09:05
Depression isn’t simply sadness. It is, in many cases, medical, often the result of a chemical imbalance that can be corrected by anti-depressants.
Anti-depressants don’t make unhappy people happy. They just make life normal again, with all the ups and downs.
I think education about depression is one way we can help each other, so that the stigma lessens some.
May 6th, 2006 09:37
I think that LDS people are unable to self medicate the way that most of population does. When an LDS woman has had a crappy day she can’t go have a few drinks to ‘loosen up’ the way most other women do. She definitely won’t go get high, or other things like that. Among LDS singles, there is probably a ton of pent up sexual tension that most other people just don’t have to deal with. Not just sexual tension either, LDS single people probably don’t get enough of any sort of affectionate human touch due to strict guidelines about chastity.
There are just so many things that really do relieve stress that we don’t do for spiritual reasons. I also think that we do tend to be harder on ourselves than we should be.
May 6th, 2006 10:33
I realize that after writing this comment I’m totally going to look like the ‘Luna Lovegood’ of the bloggernacle, but here’s my current theory (subject to change, of course):
It is exactly because of the truth and beauty of the gospel and the depth of our testimonies that the adversary hits us by way of depression. You see, the glitter of earthly vices pales in comparison to the comfort and joy of celestial truths. In living clean, gospel-guided lives we have robbed him of his favorite tools for snagging souls. So, he took the fight a little deeper.
If he cannot, with his worldly glitz and glamour, outshine the gospel, he will just steal its light from our eyes. It is perhaps a way to make worldly life look more ‘fun’. He can not snag us on any given vice, as they have no appeal for us whose sights are set beyond the pleasures of this life. I just wish I knew how to keep him from robbing us of the enduring joy of living in this life with such a perspective in our minds.
May 6th, 2006 19:36
Indi, thanks for raising this issue and for your obvious concern about it. I especially appreciate what you say about the way people too often suffer alone.
It’s a long-contested question whether Mormons are more prone to depression than others, and hard to know, really, but it’s worth noting that we don’t expect the gospel to prevent or cure cancer, multiple sclerosis, autism, mental retardation, or schizophrenia. Why would depression be any different?
You note,
We know the gospel is true, we have blessings, tender mercies, spiritual experiences and miracles shared with us constantly. We should be happy!!!
I guess I see the gospel differently. It isn’t a ticket back to Eden. Ever since we signed up for the knowledge of good and evil, we are consigned to a deeper, more human, and ultimately more godly kind of existence, one that includes sorrow as well as joy (and maybe the joy is possible only because of the sorrow). Isaiah describes Christ as a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and Enoch witnesses God weeping. The gospel does not shield us from illness or injustice or heartbreak, and even gods grieve. I really applaud the kindness I hear in your questions, but I’m not sure the gospel places us under an obligation to “be happy.”
The other thing worth noting about depression is that it’s a broad term that covers a huge range of problems, from very severe depression that completely immobilizes people to the profound shock and grief following a death to postpartum depression to the blues and down days we all experience. There’s far more that we don’t know about it than that we do. I’m really glad that Tigersue and so many others have found solutions that work for them. But no solution works for everyone, and we just don’t have the evidence to make claims like,
There are people who most certainly have some form of biological depression, however, I feel that a majority of those diagnosed with depression don’t. I think it’s a popular affliction these days.
I think the idea that some depression is biological and that other depression isn’t biological is pretty problematic. Our minds and our bodies aren’t that separable. It’s well-established that environmental stress profoundly affects biology. It’s not as if there are two types of mental illness–the “real” kind that can be traced to brain chemistry and the “other” kind that’s “all in the head.” The head is, after all, a part of the body.
Diagnoses of both autism and Asperger’s are on the rise. Does that make them merely “popular afflictions”?
May 6th, 2006 21:03
There are real chemical problems for depression, most of which are major seretonin imblances. Some times they can be fixed by more sunlight, sometimes it needs other more drastic solutions. Right now I’m in a place where I’m not “fixed”, I’m struggling as much as the next person. Everything is about balance, and frankly I think we have lives that can be very much out of balance and more stressed. Women think that we need to be “perfect”, we judge ourselves by an idealistic standard no one fills. I also agree with the fact as Members of the church, Satan is going to fight that much harder, and our self worth and well being are prime targets of attack. No one should be ashamed to be depressed. Just read the book of Job. Depression is not something new, it is just talked about much more in society. There are treatments for it that were not available years before. What did people do before? That is something to think about and consider.
May 6th, 2006 21:11
Trev, thanks for sharing your comments. I am glad you were able to get some help. I do agree and believe that negative self-talk can lead to self-esteem issues and can be a symptom of depression.
Crystal, I agree that educating people about all levels and types of depression is vitally important. It seems to be a very misunderstood issue.
Starfoxy, Isn’t it sad that many people out there, especially singles, can go for years without human contact…except for the occasional handshake at church. It seems to me that we need to get better at giving hugs!!
Luna Lovegood
, thanks for reminding us that the adversary has a mission of making us miserable. Keeping that in mind, I hope we can be more patient, loving, and understanding toward each other. And please, let’s try harder not to be judgemental of other peoples weaknesses, problems, or flaws.
Eve, thank you for your thoughtful response. Your comments and insights are excellent and I appreciate that you are willing to share your knowledge. It is important to help each other learn and understand.
May 6th, 2006 22:43
Like Eve, I’m not sure about the idea that the gospel necessarily leads to happiness. And while I think there is a growing awareness of depression in the Church, and I definitely see that as a positive thing, it seems that sometimes that awareness has led to the issue getting framed in terms of “people who have a chemical imbalance,” for whom it is legitimate to be depressed, and “other people,” who need to exercise more faith, shape up their attitude, etc. At least in my experience, environment and biology are so intertwined that it’s very difficult to untangle them.
I think you raise a good point about depression seeming like a hidden epidemic, and how isolating that can be. I really like how part of the baptismal covenant is described in Mosiah as being called to “mourn with those that mourn.” I think that often the most powerful thing we can do when people are hurting (however their particular situation might get described in terms of the language of psychology) is simply to listen, to acknowledge the reality of their pain, rather than immediately trying to fix it. I know that I’ve appreciated it in church when I’ve felt like there was space for people to talk honestly about their struggles without their faith or righteousness being called into question as a result.
May 6th, 2006 23:04
Indi, it looks to me like there are two main questions here,
wondering “why LDS people are so depressed?”
and
wondering if “there is a way we can we help each other?”
I think the first part has many answers, as pointed out by other commenters. We live in a fallen world, depression falls like rain on the just and on the unjust much like any other disease, and so on…
I think it would be a mistake to look soley at anti-depressant consumption to evaluate the depressed rate/state of any group. Crystal rightly points out that they aren’t “happy pills” (no matter how many prozac jokes you’ve heard) and Starfoxy references how consuming other substances can mask an existing case of depression. Consider how sedatives or tranquilizers were considered the housewife’s little helpers for a good part of the 20th century as well.
Regarding your second question, I think depression will remain a hidden epidemic as long as the perception remains that the depressed person is defective and/or isn’t trying hard enough to be happy. In LDS terms, it may be thought that a depressed person has no testimony, a weak understanding of gospel principles, isn’t choosing the right, and is basically lieing in the bed that s/he made.
How often have you heard about the sick person who remains bright and happy despite the terrible illness, bringing joy and inspiration to all who visit or take care of that individual? I don’t know anyone suffering from depression who could truly radiate that kind of peace and light–even those of us who work so hard to fake normalcy can’t generate that sort of magnetism. It can be hard enough to smile, never mind uplifting those who come to serve you!
Online I’m more open about my current struggles than I am in real life. If anyone thinks any less of me, it won’t have repercussions on my children or husband like it would here in our neck of the woods.
I think any service would have to be done by the purest in heart, to avoid the gossip & backbiting I’ve seen happen. It was bad enough when I was on doctor ordered bed-rest for two of my pregnancies. It would be far worse for something people have a hard time comprehending, like depression. But maybe I’m too cynical, maybe there are those in my own ward who would surprise me with their genuine interest and desire for me and my family’s well being.
Oy, the rambling, the rambling… sorry, Indi!
May 7th, 2006 02:20
I think we all experience a bit of depression and its in those times (having never been clinically depressed) that I can begin to understand the predicament that besets those who have diagnosable problems. It is hard to function, hard to connect with other people, and with the avoidance of social situations during those periods it becomes imposible for word to spread that anything is even wrong. I agree with Starfoxy that our means of stress busting are limited. I also think our guilt level is high. We are up a creek with our paddle being the gospel but when we are less than functional, guilt sets in and then we feel undeserving of even god’s love. To me that sounds like a recipe for depression.
May 7th, 2006 03:51
When you don’t have medication, you use diet, low grade aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, stretching, gardening, that sort of thing), sleep patterns (same schedule, etc.), community (social contact) and cognitive therapy to treat depression. Having children and the current pace of life, disrupts those in our modern society. So we fall back on medication, including alcohol and social drugs.
Not that medication isn’t a life saver for many. And not that there doesn’t seem to be an increase in compulsive disorders in our society (including compulsive depression), that ties into the fact that as a group, we are getting less sleep than our parents and facing more advertising telling us that we need things we don’t have to be happy.
Finally, we notice depression more and do something about it.
May 7th, 2006 21:10
Oh no, Indi, you said:
“And please, let’s try harder not to be judgemental of other peoples weaknesses, problems, or flaws.”
Did something I say come across as judgemental? I’m so sorry if it did! Please tell me, so I can clarify!
May 8th, 2006 10:07
I guess I’ll come forward and say that I’m not proud of my depression, but I’m not quiet about it, either. I think it’s important to lessen the stigma for people to be vocal about it when it is appropriate. I recently helped a sister missionary stay on her mission by encouraging her to get help with her depressive struggles. She was recently transferred back to our ward and thanked me repeatedly for heping her. She is currently on antidepressants.
I just post because this topic is near to my heart.
I have my mother-in-law’s attitude about anti-depressants, “If I can take a little pill and it helps me get through the day, then I will take it.” She spent months, maybe even years, of her life in bed because she couldn’t face life. Now she is vibrant and happy. There is definitely a genetic component to depression; it would be interesting to see if there is some sort of genetic tendency towards this disease (and yes, I am calling it a disease) in many-generations Mormon families. My husband’s extended family, which has been in the church since pioneer days, would be an excellent study because there are many, many members of his family that have depression.
I don’t think that Mormons really suffer more than the general population with depression, but I do think that perhaps the lifestyle, as pointed out earlier, might heighten the symptoms. I’m really glad that it’s being recognized as a legitimate concern rather than some sort of condition from unrepentant sin or lack of the spirit.
Someday I promise to post on a topic other than one related to depression.
(Last summer I read a dissertation, “Correlates of Beck Depression Inventory scores in Mormon and Protestant women : religious orientation, traditional family attitudes and perfectionism” by Marleen K. Williams. It was kind of outdated (1993), but her findings indicated that Mormons were no more depressed than Protestants. But you can take that for what it’s worth. I need to read more on the topic.)