Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help?

[SomeRandom]

I think it's absolutely pathetic.

I have seen people starving in other countries, suffering from disease, living homeless, and still still finding reasons to live. Reasons to smile. Reasons to celebrate Life. If anyone has reason to be depressed, it's them, yet so many among them find the strength and Will and fortitude to overcome it.

Then I have seen various "depressed" people in America, with roofs over their heads, fresh food in their kitchens, clean water to drink and wash themselves, clean clothes to wear, comfortable beds to sleep in, educational and employment opportunities galore, and people in their lives who care about their well-being... yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I have absolutely no pity for them, whatsoever.

How dare those spoilt brats have a mental illness. They should be 100% in control of every chemical their brain produces at all times like the rest of us. Amirite?? Oh..........wait.
No mental health professional worth their salt would ever suggest that merely feeling sad and being clinically depressed are the same thing.

Criticizing depressed people for feeling depressed (regardless of their home situation or lack thereof) is kind of like criticizing autistic people for displaying symptoms. Makes one look like a complete and utter heartless and ignorant *******.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Well be what you are, if that is where you feel you should be then stay there.

I suggest reading more about the causes of mental illness and the possible treatments for it. Your post exhibits a strong and nonchalant lack of knowledge about either, which is worsened by the fact that you made a negative assumption about mentally ill people to the point where it does come across as juvenile.

 

[Sunstone]

...yet still they find reason to succumb to depression.

I see 500 years of scientific progress has done nothing to dent your 13th Century view of the world.

 

[Deeje]

It's the parents who are the problem. There's nothing worse in this world than a toxic parent.

It is truer than ever that many children are being raised by "toxic" parents, many of whom are victims of mental health issues themselves. So many young people have had to become 'carers' of their parents. The role reversal is very confusing and burdensome to a young person.

Many are also emulating their own parents' bad role modeling. It takes more than sex to become a parent. Look at the natural world and see how attentive and protective most parents are when raising their young. But at the right time, they are made to realize that they are old enough to take care of themselves. There is a vast difference between caring and being over protective....there is also a vast difference between allowing a level of freedom and outright neglect. Balance is the key.

We hear about the "helicopter parents" who hover over their children....but now one of the the biggest dangers is the "lawnmower parent" who makes sure that there are no obstacles in their child's path. Neither of these kinds of parents are doing their children any favors. It does not teach them to be responsible for themselves, for their behavior, or to ever have to deal with the word "NO".
On the flipside is the poverty stricken parents who struggle just to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads.

The world is so unbalanced that it's any wonder that we are seeing so many problems with depression.
Diet too plays a large role in mental health. Our western diet is killing us in more ways than we can imagine.

We need a whole new approach.