Project 1- The depression epidemic

Rayna Kucharyski

Professor Hammett

English 1302

February 28, 2023

Make the Past the Future

Today we are experiencing a social epidemic, there is an overwhelming amount of young teens and children who are developing depression and other disorders at early ages. Depression is represented as a mood disorder that causes intense sadness, despair, and loss of motivation in individuals who struggle with it. This recent incline in diagnosis is due to this lack of in-person community and fellowship that humans so badly desire. Although there are many benefits to having a society that revolves around quick information, and communication, the answer is not always right at our fingertips. We can reduce the amount of distress and depression in our community if we turn to more traditional ways of living.

Humanity is relying too much on technology for communication and it is causing the younger generation to crumble. The foundation for adults' mental health starts in their infancy and it is impossible to develop social skills over a cell phone. Emily Rueb says “Limiting, and in some cases eliminating, screen time for children under the age of 5 will result in healthier adults, the organization, a United Nations health agency, announced on Wednesday” (Rueb 1). Limiting the amount of over-the-phone communication can benefit young individuals who suffer from depression. In The Journal of Affective Disorders experts say “In one study, a lack of peer relationships was significantly associated with SRBs (i.e., suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and attempted suicide) among Chinese adolescents” (Chen, R 101). Although many people may say over-the-phone communication is convenient for contacting loved ones fast, it can also cause a lack of socializing with the people with that we humans are in closer relation. This is becoming a very common dilemma among the younger generations because there is no longer a need to build new or stronger relationships with those around you. After all, you can still be in contact with those far from you. Susan Noonans' lab results from 2019 provide us with clear evidence that seclusion from social events or isolation from the community is linked to the development of depression. Noonan stated “Our results suggested that a high level of social isolation was significantly associated with a higher incidence of depression among middle-aged and older adults in China” (Noonan 1). Children are not interacting with other adolescents and building relationships in person and it is hindering their development of basic social skills. Putting limits on apps, or even waiting to give a child a cellphone of their own will benefit their sociableness.

Another solution to the outbreak of mental illness is a treatment by the name of Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a treatment that assists those who suffer from depression and other disorders because it helps patients find the origin of their depressive thoughts and behaviors. A good description of how exactly Psychotherapy works can be found in the article Depression:

Psychotherapy encompasses a range of talk therapies that have been scientifically designed to help people overcome their

depression through psychological means. Using regular verbal interaction, psychologists work with patients to discover the root

causes of their depression and help them alter the mental and physical habits that keep them depressed. (Depression 1)

Humans are often caught in habit loops and it makes finding out what is causing depression very difficult for some patients. These habit loops are why the treatment through a person's psyche has been so beneficial for identifying problems in one's daily regimen and targeting treatments. Psychotherapy will significantly lessen the use of antidepressants or other medications when they are unnecessary and not valid for some who struggle with depression. This therapy identifies the flaws in a person's lifestyle or way of thinking. Therefore psychotherapy helps people can make changes in their minds and habits instead of medicating.

A modern problem kids are faced with today that was not previously as much of an issue is social media. Social media platforms have been known to cause depressive behaviors because it gives kids unrealistic expectations of how they should look or how their lives should be lived. Some children don’t understand that what influencers put out on social media is a highlight reel. Consuming the content of someone else’s daily life takes away from an individual's time to better theirs. The Journal of Medical Internet Research states that “Excessive social comparison and personal involvement when using MTSM (mobile technologies and social media) could be associated with the development of depressive symptomatology” (Chen, R 16388). Constant comparison and unrealistic standards make a child feel insignificant and discontented with their own lives since they don’t get the luxuries of social media influencers. Although social media is expanding all forms of communicating like never before, parents should think twice before allowing their children to see content from strangers all over the world.

There is no doubt that kids do not spend nearly as much time playing outside as they have in previous decades. One more solution to the depression epidemic among the youth is adding more physical activity to children's daily lives. The lack of Physical activity has an extremely negative effect on people's hormones and moods. Exercise causes the release of hormones and when certain hormones are not released it can cause mood swings, irrational thoughts, and stress. The European Journal of Public Health says:

Background Depressive symptoms and lack of physical activity (PA) often occur simultaneously, since depression, associated with listlessness can lead to lack of PA, and lack of PA, associated with poor quality of life and health satisfaction can lead to

depressive symptoms. (Dorner, T E, et al Vol. 30)

When people find themselves lacking physical activity and having depressive thoughts they get stuck into the loophole because these two often go hand and hand. Having set times throughout the day can help children's bodies get into the routine of moving regularly. The Journal of Affective Disorders proves that:

Structured physical exercise add-on therapy integrated into the psychiatric hospitalization of adolescents has led to a reduction

in their depressive symptoms, demonstrating its effectiveness in the care of adolescent inpatients with Depression.

(Philippot 145)

Parents can help their children's mental health and reduce the chance of them developing depression by suggesting and incorporating physical activity into daily routines. Schools can also contribute to this solution by adding time to recess or including more activities in school days.

It is clear to see that the isolation of our society is one of the main culprits for the outbreak of depression and mental health disorders in children. The younger generation strongly relies on the older generations to show them how they should live. Therefore, if people want to see a change, they need to make a change to themselves. By reducing habits involving unnecessary screen time, building in-person relationships, exercising regularly, and using psychotherapy, we would see a huge turnaround that could save the youth's mental health. To beat the depression epidemic among the youth, humanity needs to decide as a community to make a change by taking up conventional ways of communication and resorting to old-fashioned ways of life that were common decades ago.

Works Cited

Arias-de la Torre, Jorge, et al. “Relationship between Depression and the Use of Mobile Technologies and Social Media among

Adolescents: Umbrella Review.” Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 22, no. 8, 2020, p. 16388., https://doi.org/10.2196/16388.

Chen, R., Liu, J., Cao, X., Duan, S., Wen, S., Zhang, S., Xu, J., Lin, L., Xue, Z., & Lu, J. (2020). The relationship between mobile

phone use and suicide-related behaviors among adolescents: The mediating role of depression and interpersonal problems.

Journal of Affective Disorders, 269, 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.128

"Depression." Gale In Context Online Collection, Gale, 2020. Gale In Context: High School,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/IIZYBO831896073/SUIC?u=owassohs&sid=bookmark-SUIC&xid=cc5f6d7f. Accessed 18 Feb. 2023.

Dorner, T E, et al. “Depression and Lack of Physical Activity As Factors Leading to Higher Health Care Utilisation.”

European Journal of Public Health, vol. 30, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.432.

Noonan, Susan J. Managing Your Depression: What You Can Do to Feel Better. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013.

Philippot, Arnaud, et al. “Impact of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety in Adolescent Inpatients: A Randomized Controlled

Trial.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 301, 2022, pp. 145–153., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.011.

Rueb, Emily S. “Limit Screen Time for Children Under 5, W.h.o. Says.(Business/Financial Desk).” The New York Times, B5(l), 2019.

"Teen Depression." Gale In Context Online Collection, Gale, 2018. Gale In Context: High School,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/EYUTTD025301928/SUIC?u=owassohs&sid=bookmark-SUIC&xid=c9ddd1d6. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.