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I held this idea in my mind for over a month and did several types of research before I decided to speak about this.
What you are about to read is the top of the iceberg and has so much to think about and discuss.
After I faced one minor accident at the female event, it made me think about Psychiatric medication and why the number of people who take them keeps climbing up. I looked at the statistics and found it disturbing.
Looking back at 2016, about one in six American adults took at least one psychiatric drug over a year. And believe it or not, it is still on the rise.
From cdc.gov:
In 2019, 19.2% of U.S. adults received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health. Women were more likely than men to have received any treatment for their mental health, consistent with the higher prevalence of common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Why do we see more and more people on antidepressants and anxiety drugs?
1. We want a quick fix.
I am not here to judge, and I am not a doctor to tell you what is right. But several statistics have shown that more and more people choose to take a pill instead of attending therapy or counseling, hoping for a quick fix. But in several cases, research shows that psychotherapy is more effective than medications and that adding medications does not significantly improve outcomes from psychotherapy alone.
We all want a quick fix, and it is in everything, including weight loss, but what does give lasting results is what comes with time and work, a lot of work. In this case, work on your mind.
2. We are lacking healthy communication
With technologies taking over our lives, we forget how to talk and communicate face-to-face with people. The researchers found that having limited face-to-face social contact nearly doubles someone's risk of having depression. Study participants who met in person regularly with family and friends were less likely to report symptoms of depression compared with participants who emailed or spoke on the telephone.
If you didn't watch the movie "The Social Dilemma," I encourage you to sit down and watch it tonight. You can start to understand that so many apps were created to keep us addicted, so we come back to them more and more.
I know we have so much depending on our phones now, some of us are making all our money with the phone and computer along, but there is a way to keep it under control.
3. We are losing connection with nature
Looking at our younger generation, I see a decrease in playing outside. Remembering me, I would spend every possible minute outdoors. But the root of the problem is parents doing what is easier, not better, and that is an entirely new article for me to write.
We as adults are getting so busy that we forget to do that as well, just to go outside and breathe some fresh air or maybe go and touch a tree.
You can find numerous resources that prove even 10 min in nature can make you feel happier and reduce stress levels.
4. We are afraid to talk about our feelings or be judged
Talking about our feelings isn't a sign of weakness. It's part of understanding yourself and taking charge of your wellbeing.
A lot of times, just letting it out will help you get calm and reduce stress because we don't need anyone to fix us; we just need someone to listen.
I want to share this video, "It is not about the nail," so you can understand what I am talking about.
What can we do together to change this statistic and hopefully see fewer women and young adults suffering from this in the future?
Start seeing your friends and family face to face more often. Go to events where people talk and communicate.
Take 30 minutes to walk in nature.
Slow down and observe. Try to have a curious mind of a child who watches water run and clouds to pass.
Do technology-free days.
Look for people who can listen with no judgment, and it doesn't have to be your friend or family. It could be someone you don't know.
Choose talk therapy or life coaching over medication when possible.
More resources about Mental health and mental conditions are here!
Do your research before deciding anything.
Conclusion
There is a habit of living a stress-free life that can be learned, like eating healthy or exercising.
It is not that difficult, but first, you need to break the habit of being stressed, depressed and unhappy. I don't have a PhD, but I know several techniques to build better and happier now and future.
Stop waiting, and take your first step to less stress and more happiness today.
