In Brief
- Rates of depression have risen in recent decades, at the same time that people are enjoying time-saving conveniences such as microwave ovens, e-mail, prepared meals, and machines for washing clothes and mowing lawns.
- People of earlier generations, whose lives were characterized by greater efforts just to survive, paradoxically, were mentally healthier. Human ancestors also evolved in conditions where hard physical work was necessary to thrive.
- By denying our brains the rewards that come from anticipating and executing complex tasks with our hands, the author argues, we undercut our mental well-being.
For several decades, the multibillion-dollar antidepressant industry has pointed to imbalances in the neurochemical serotonin as the cause of depression. But research has yet to find convincing evidence that serotonin imbalances represent the indisputable cause of depression, and despite the unprecedented number of pharmacological treatment options available today, depression rates are higher than ever.
If Big Pharma does not have a cure for depression, shouldn’t we pursue a fresh approach to this vexing problem? Could there be a nonpharmacological treatment strategy that would bring relief to the increasing number of people struggling with this mood disorder, for instance? What do we know about how to preserve good mental health? Is it possible to maintain a sense of control over our increasingly stressful daily lives, so that we can refocus our attention on more meaningful psychological endeavors, such as the challenging issues of problem solving and planning for our futures?
This article was originally published with the title Depressingly Easy.
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7 Comments
Add CommentI haven't read the entire article, but the first paragraph begs me to comment. A mild depressed state of mind or the blues, and clinical depression or manic depression share in common merely a sense of loss feeling. I truly believe that brain neurotransmitters and bodily chemical imbalances do occur in clinical and manic depressions. I do agree however that this machine age is one of the main reasons that people experience a sense of loss at times or a lack of purpose and meaning in their lives. Blame it on capitalism, the machine age, whatever, but in any case when we are physically exhausted of the run-around, we are rudely awakened to this lack of purpose in our lives. In some it causes a state of depression but I wouldn't confuse it with a type of depressed state that has underlying biological bodily chemical imbalances.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI've discovered the mental health benefits of skipping the clothes dryer in favor of line drying my clothes outside. Maybe it is the sunshine or the summer breeze. Maybe it is knowing I am not completely helpless when it comes to reducing my carbon output. I think it is also possible, as the author implies, that our push button culture can leave us bored, empty and idle. Meeting the challenge of line drying my clothes has proven to be a satisfying and mood lifting experience. I hope more people will try it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have read the entire article, and I have to agree that the loss of the satisfaction of accomplishing tasks by the "sweat of our brow" and by working with our hands is probably a factor in the widespread depression in our society. There are many ways to remedy this. Productive hobbies, gardening, artistic achievements - the possibilities are endless. It's just a matter of being aware of the benefits of "getting our hands dirty."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI noticed the more free time you have, the more you question the meaning and purpose of your actions, of your life. Such questions usually have no obvious or good answers. People busy to survive or coping with disaster have no time for such self-examination.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAlso, poorer people living together in close quarters are usually less lonely than richer people living all alone in their big individual houses.
In the US many people see depression as a serious medical condition, which is not to me. Temporary sadness is normal and many people around the world don't have the luxury of getting depressed and medicating themselves to alleviate a common mood. Opelske is funny, she generalizes that the world suffers from this "disease" and that capitalism effects it? Please, where are the depression victims in the so called "inferior third world countries"?I agree alphachapmtl comment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have a rough past, to say the least, and my therapist has told me that i am a great coper, i cope incredibly well, i have often atributed this to the variety of artistic projects i take on at one time, but its everything from crotchet and making my own clothes to writing songs blogging, expressing myself, jewelry making ect..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy brother recently attempted suicide and i've often noticed people who have firneds and hobbies often fare better than those without in the same situations, the brain needs challenges and a healthy level of distraction from the mudane to horrific realities of life, which is why some turn to drug use as a coping mechanism, but
i would say this article has found the answer, i'm a health nut who likes to make all my food from scratch usually, i paint, sew, draw, write songs, photography, sculpt, attempt to learn instruments, and constantly engage my brain with new challenging yet rewarding activities which give me artistic freedom...
people think i'm weird, but i come out with some awesome stuff, and i'm a happier person because of it, i love giving peices away and it makes me feel good when people admire my work, i'm not a drug user or addict and other than my eternal belief and hope for true love i am undaunted by all of my negative experiences and approach life with vigor and excitement, hope for tomorrow... if this is truely the answer to why i'm so lucky, a lucky ducky :) i hope everyone comes to benefit from this knowledge in their darkest hour because thats where i turn when i feel like i can't go on, i pray alittle but mostly i just start doodling and see what comes out, and then i feel better, and i've been there its no laughing matter and nothing to belittle someone about, and who knows you could end up creating a whole new livelyhood for yourself and find your passion :) and approach life as an endless adventure rather than a tumultuous cylone of endless misery and discontent, and perhaps then people would also be more tempted to mend their broken hearts as well as avoiding the situations and people which make then ohhh sooo miserable...
:D GOOD LUCK BEST WISHES FROM
XINA THE SURVIVOR
i'm freakin happyish and i approve this message :p
Isnt that indeed something everyone faces every now and then?
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