Question

Is Depression Really On The Rise? If So, Why? November 2016 - If you look at depression statistics spread over several years, a very worrying trend becomes immediately apparent. Cases of depression begin to rise extremely sharply in around 2005, and continue to escalate at an alarming pace. Should the problem continue in this vein, it seems that everyone in the world will before long be suffering from depression, or some form of anxiety disorder. Not good. Science and psychiatry are, it seems, a little divided on the issue. Various theories as to the source of the problem have been put forward, but there is as yet no real consensus. Some do not even believe that the problem is real, attributing the statistical rise to diagnostic improvements and a change in culture. So what, if anything, is going on? What do people think is behind this problem? The Internet One of the most common theories holds that the rise in internet usage has - directly or indirectly - brought a host of mental health problems in its wake. The theorized abilities of the internet to change our brains and trigger neurosis are multiform, and a whole book could be written on the phenomenon. Briefly, however, here are some of the more common points made: The internet causes addiction. Many scientists, particularly in Asia (where it's a big problem) believe that the dopamine surge caused by receiving information, validation, and 'rewards' through gameplay via the internet can cause pathological usage and addiction. This naturally alters the brain's chemistry, predisposing many heavy internet users to anxieties and depressive states. It's an as-yet little understood phenomenon, but people are taking it seriously - so much so that many health insurers are adding internet addiction to the list of things they cover. The internet reduces our 'mental downtime'. Instead of relaxing when we get home, we log immediately into the internet, over-stimulating our brains with both work and leisure, and effectively preventing them from getting the vital rest they need to start processing the emotions and experiences of the day. This ultimately leads to mental health problems like depression. The internet feeds us a lot of depressing news, and makes us periodically angry (more on that later). The internet (and social media in particular) puts us under subliminal pressure to achieve a standardized 'perfection' - showing us the carefully tailored social media streams of our friends, which appear to show a 'perfect' life to which we cannot possibly live up. This is all of course heavily edited and a 'glossy' version of the actual (more mundane) truth, but it nonetheless causes a good deal of insecurity and feelings of worthlessness. Urbanization The world has reached an unprecedented landmark. By 2017, it's thought that the majority of people will be living in urban areas. In the past, the majority of people worldwide have always lived in small rural communities - with urban centres making up a significant population proportion, but never greater than the whole sum of humanity. Now, however, the cities are expanding and more people are moving to them. This, it is thought, increases depression risk in a number of ways: Lack of access to 'green spaces'. It's by now well known that our mental health is significantly boosted by time spent outdoors, preferably in green, leafy spaces. The urban environment and lifestyle makes doing this much harder - and even those who regularly enjoy parks may lack the kind of distraction-free experience gained by those in the countryside, due to the presence of lots of other people. Anonymity. In small, rural communities, people are known to one another, and are often cared for by the community should things go wrong. While many urban communities are very cohesive, it is nonetheless more common to experience 'anonymity' in cities. When nobody really knows who you are, and you lack a sense of 'place', 'tribe', or general human connection, it is easy to succumb to feelings of worthlessness and depression. Stress. Everyday urban life tends to be more 'high powered' and stressful than rural life. Negotiating traffic, constant noise, enhanced crime rates, busy jobs... all of these enhance an urban-dweller's risk of stress, which in turn raises their risk of developing depression. Lifestyle It's no secret that we're becoming increasingly sedentary, and eating an increasingly poor diet. Without good cardiovascular health (as is bestowed by regular exercise), our brains are less able to receive nourishment from the blood. And without the right kind of diet, that nourishment which they do receive is sub-par and unable to fulfil all of the brain's requirements to keep our mental and emotional health at a reasonable equilibrium. It's thought that dietary and general lifestyle improvements could make an enormous difference to the global mental health situation. Fear There has been much talk recently about the 'politics of fear'. Media and political campaigns designed to elicit sales and votes by scaremongering have become much more common in recent years, and the stress, hatred, and anger provoked by these can have an extremely negative effect on mental health. What is more, the internet provides us with access to negative news stories in unprecedented amounts. All of this serves to make us more anxious, and renders our ruminations rather more negative than would otherwise be the case. Statistics Some, however, believe that all of the above is simply an illusion, and that the real problem is not a problem at all. In recent years, we have become far better at accepting, seeking help for, and diagnosing mental health problems - all over the world. Perhaps we've always been this depressed - it's just that we're more self-aware about it now... I need to summarize the above article in one page

Answer 1

Depression on the Rise

Cases of Depression has been on the rise since the year 2005, and it has been increasing ever since. There have been many theories and causes put forward, but no real conclusion or consensus.

One of the theory of causes is internet which is believed to be one of the many major causes for depression and anxiety related disorders. Heavy usage of internet causes addiction (due to dopamine surge) which in turn, naturally alters the brain's chemistry, predisposing users to anxieties and depressive states. When we get home, we switch on our internets which overstimulates our brains rather than giving rest to our brains. The internet is also a culprit for putting us under subliminal pressure to live a 'perfect' and 'glossy' life of others, due to which people end up having insecurities and feelings of worthlessness when they feel that it is unachievable.

Another theory of cause is that of urbanization. With the expansion of cities, and moving of people to live in them, the risk of depression is also increasing. With urbanization, less green spaces, and distraction free spaces and less polluted environment are becoming unavailable. Time spent outdoors has become significantly less, as compared to living in rural areas where people had exercise and significant time for themselves.

Anonymity is also one of the causes of Depression. Even though city has lots of people, and is cohesive, people hardly know each other. In rural areas people are friendly to each other and they know everyone. When you lack a sense of 'place', 'tribe', or general connection, it is easy to succumb to feelings of loneliness, worthlessness and depression.

Stress is also believed to be one of the major causes of depression. Living in the city, dealing with everyday life of 'high powered' urban lifestyle is contributing to addition of stress in our lives.

Lifestyle of a person (sedentary and diet habits) is contributing to health problems and is another culprit for depression. Exercise free life, and bad food habits contribute to undernourishment which is responsible for unfulfillment for brain's mental and emotional health requirements.

Fear is another cause for depression. Media and politics are inciting fear in people by inculcating hatred, anger, and stress. Internet and media make matters worse by exaggerating these negative stories making people more anxious, stressed and ruminative in negative thoughts.

Many believe these are not really problems but, just an illusion of problem. We have become more self-aware now as we have become better at accepting it, seeking help, and diagnosis of mental problems.

[Summarized in almost 430 words - almost one page]