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Why Are Americans So Depressed?

Why Are Americans So Depressed?

We are living in the most globally-connected age with the least interpersonally-connected generation in history. Instead of in-person meetings, we have Zoom calls. Instead of going out with real friends, we have VR. Instead of dating a real person, we have virtual A.I. boyfriends and girlfriends. When replacing humans with robots, we are missing out on some of life’s most crucial connections—causing startling levels of discontent and depression in our daily lives.

In Kenza Haddock’s article, “Beat Your Big 3 Depression Traps,” she highlights that “depression is the second-most-prevalent mental health diagnosis in the United States, affecting an estimated 21 million adults.” Additionally, she debunks the myth that “depression is a one-size-fits-all issue.” Because we live in a fallen world, loss is inevitable, and depression is one result. Since we all experience some form of “conflict, heartbreak, and grief,” identifying ways to counter depression is vital.

Dr. Colbert’s Spiritual Health Zone expresses the role that pessimism plays in depression and how optimism can help: “Along with many others in the medical profession, I believe America is experiencing an epidemic of depression, and the resulting plague of pessimism is affecting the old as well as the young. Studies show that depression and pessimism are related and mutually reinforcing. A pessimistic attitude among people who are not depressed actually predicts who will become depressed and stay depressed. Choosing optimism—another way of saying we embrace God’s hope-filled perspective on our lives—actually relieves depression.

Pessimism acts as a silent infiltrator. It creeps in almost unnoticed over time. Nobody stands up one day and announces, ‘I’m going to be a pessimist from here forward!’ But after experiencing a few of life’s adverse events and being buffeted by bad news, people can slip into the grip of this negative mindset. They view events, people, and circumstances in a hopeless way, with little or no expectation that things will improve. The Survey Center on American Life found that 53 percent of Americans are either very or somewhat pessimistic. This tendency toward pessimism seems to increase as people get older. Think about it—over half the population of America expects the worst to happen and automatically assumes that bad outcomes are inevitable. That is an epidemic by any standard.

A hopeless paradigm pervades the church as well. In my observation, many pastors and people in the pews are just as pessimistic as non-Christians are. While they should be flourishing in the love walk and demonstrating the overcoming power of God’s love to a watching world, their hope is paralyzed by thinking that tells them, ‘This is the way things are, and they will never get better.’ They quit expecting God to come through for them; they stop believing in His miracle-working power. They lose their joy and peace because they think they can’t rely on His protection or provision. The light of Christ within them grows dim because their hope is extinguished bit by bit.

 The root cause of pessimism is usually some type of trauma—an accident, divorce, failed relationship, loss of a loved one, loss of a pet, financial distress, physical injury or illness, and so on. Pessimism can also be instilled by a parent, teacher, coach, or anyone in authority who inculcates this viewpoint into young minds. For some, the steady drumbeat of hurts and everyday disappointments drives them to become pessimistic because it seems easier to expect the worst than to expose themselves to renewed pain from dashed hopes.

Pessimists anchor themselves to disbelief and suspicion instead of faith, hope, and love. Even when things seem to be going well for them or others, they set the radio dial in their minds to their preferred preset and say, ‘Things are bound to get worse at some point,’ or, ‘Good times never last.’ In doing so, they literally prophesy their future and program themselves to fail. Pessimism is a meditation on failure rather than hope, and what we meditate on gives birth to results, usually through our own actions or inaction. Pessimists therefore make plans to miss the mark.

Even secular social scientists recognize that pessimism and optimism are both self-fulfilling. One leading researcher of ‘learned optimism,’ psychologist Martin Seligman, says that after twenty-five years of research, he is convinced a pessimistic outlook—believing that misfortune is not only our fault but long-lasting and capable of ruining our efforts—makes us more prone to experiencing such misfortune. This can lead to depression, lower achievements, and even physical illness.

If a non-Christian academic researcher can observe the real-life effects of hopelessness, how much more should Christians recognize and address them!”

For more information on Don Colbert, MD’s newest book, Dr. Colbert’s Spiritual Health Zone, visit Mycharismashop.com

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