IMHO, not at all. People just admit it and talk about it more than they used to. In the past, some just lived lives of quiet desparation, or “medicated” themselves with alcohol or other less socially acceptable things.
Example: This problem runs – no, gallops – through the female members of my family. My sister and I are convinced that our mother (now deceased) had some sort of breakdown when we were small children. We were sent to a relative’s for no apparent reason for several weeks. To his dying day our father denied it. There were other things we both observed, though, that fit the syndrome that we and a number of our other relatives share.
Even now, many are reluctant to admit to any kind of mental problem, as if it were a shameful thing. Which is a pity, since there are so many ways to get help.
I loved this comment from author/actor/comedian Stephen Fry, in a recent interview:
It might seem really obvious, but then when I’m in the black pit of despair I don’t tend to be looking at things rationally, and that quote is kind of something for me to hang out to. It’s not my fault that I’m struggling with depression. I’m not a bad person, this is just a bad thing that’s happening right now, and it does pass.
That’s a really great point and great quote, thanks. We have to weather these things; it’s all grist for the mill. Make the best of both the good days and the bad days.
Re: SSRIs:
I’ve been down that road, and in fact I’m still on it. I’m on a medium dosage of Effexor right now. It’s my feeble intention to taper off very slowly, though, because I’m just sick of the physical reliance on these drugs. Coming off Paxil was a nightmare. I have been on SSRIs for more than five years now; I’d like to come off altogether and see what things are like then.
I need to make lifestyle changes too. I need to quit smoking, drinking, and eating bad food, and I need to start exercising. I do none of the physical things that are supposed to be good for me. But of course the depression aggravates the general laziness and non-motivation. I want to do these good things for myself, but in my worst moods, which are too often, I want to do NOTHING good for myself, and everything bad, because I’m perverse and warped, I suppose. Or mentally ill, take your pick.
But I survive. Once again, perish the thought that I’m trolling for any sort of sympathy here. I’m glad that others are posting and getting anything out of this thread; I don’t want it to be about me. Thank you all for posting.