Mental Health Discussed by Dr Sara Whyte
Sara argues that there is an important difference between clinical depression and unhappiness, suggesting that some people may be reacting to difficult life circumstances rather than experiencing a depressive disorder. It discusses medicalisation, personal responsibility, lifestyle choices, medication, dependency and addiction, while encouraging readers to review their relationships, work, finances, habits and environment. It also advises anyone taking medication to speak to their doctor before making changes.
At Heritage Health and Fitness, we see many people who come to me who have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, and who are receiving medication for it. In almost all cases, in my opinion, and I am not a Doctor, they are neither depressed nor suffering from an anxiety disorder. They are simply unhappy. There is an enormous difference between clinical depression and unhappiness, and yet, for many, they are being treated the same.
Let’s talk a little for a moment about a term called ‘Medicalisation.’
The phrase ‘medicalisation’ was coined in the 1970s. It’s where the medical profession labels almost anything an illness, whether it is caused by actual disease, lifestyle choices, or natural biology. Experts, such as Illich (1976), condemn medicalisation, saying that people are able to disassociate themselves from their own responsibility regarding illness, shifting both the blame and the responsibility to ‘fix’ it onto the medical profession.
He states that, “As long as disease is something that people … ‘catch’ or ‘get’, the victims of these natural processes can be exempted from responsibility for their condition” (Illich, 1975, p34). He also suggests that the power of the medical profession and medicalisation “disables people from coping with their environment” (Illich, 1975, p30). What does this mean? It means that people look at their anti-depressant pills and decide that there is nothing that they can do other than to take the pills. It disempowers, it undermines, and it creates a surrender to the condition called, ‘unhappy.’
Some experts agree
Some experts agree, suggesting that medicine and modern health care have “undermined people’s capacity to deal with their own health and illness” (Zola, 1972, p487). I agree totally. My clients come to me with their diagnosis and are convinced that they are suffering from depression. In almost all cases, it is their life, lifestyle, and/or environment that is not working for them; they are simply reacting to the resulting unhappiness of that life and feel helpless to change it. Being given anti-depressants, in my opinion, simply adds to the depression, because they feel even more helpless than they did before.
Other experts, such as Horwitz & Wakefield (2007), suggest that psychiatry has transformed normal sadness into a depressive disorder. It has. For example, the natural personality trait of shyness has now been labelled, under psychiatry, as an anxiety disorder (Lane, 2007). I have several clients who are naturally shy, and they, too, have been diagnosed with anxiety. What’s wrong with being shy? It’s a natural personality trait, a natural characteristic.
I work with my clients helping them to take responsibility for their ‘depression,’ by examining their life-choices and life-styles as the possible cause of their depression, or unhappiness, and to help them find a better way to live. We look at choices, priorities, options, and more.
We also look at underlying unhappiness from their past, which often has a cumulative, knock-on effect. We also examine personality traits like shyness, allow and encourage self-acceptance of who they are, and celebrate their individuality. We can’t all be party animals you know. The results speak for themselves. In nearly all cases, my clients are back in control of their lives and off their meds within a few weeks. Disclaimer coming… always check with your doctor.
If you, too, have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, have a look at your life. Are you in the wrong job, the wrong relationship, the wrong house, or the wrong location? Are you overcommitted financially and struggling to keep your head above water? Is it your life that doesn’t work, or are you truly depressed? If it’s your life, see that there are options. There always are you know. It’s just a matter of priorities, and isn’t your health and wellbeing a priority? I think it is.
When we go through a difficult time in our life, we often find ourselves reaching for something to make us feel better, stronger, more able to cope. We look for a prop. For some, this can easily and quickly turn to dependency, and before long, this dependency can escalate to addiction. The prop has become the problem rather than the solution. When I work with any client with an addiction I treat the underlying cause; the reason they looked for the prop in the first place.
By removing this, we can then work on removing the habit of the chosen prop, freeing the client from their dependency and addiction gently and effectively. These are some of the things that people can become dependent on. This list is not exhaustive:
- Alcohol abuse
- Substance abuse
- Tobacco and Cigarettes
- Gambling
- Shopping
- Food
- Relationships
- Sex
- Body Building: use of steroids, overworking out.
- Exercise: gym, running, cycling obsessively
More
- NHS: Depression in adults
Explains that depression is more than feeling unhappy for a few days and outlines symptoms, causes, treatment options and when to seek help. - Mind: About depression
UK mental health charity guidance covering depression symptoms, possible causes, self-care, treatment and support options. - Royal College of Psychiatrists: Depression
Professional UK guidance explaining depression, how it may feel, possible causes and the different treatment approaches available. - NICE: Depression in adults: treatment and management
Clinical guideline covering evidence-based assessment, treatment and management of depression in adults. - Mental Health Foundation: Depression
UK mental health resource explaining depression, common symptoms, risk factors and ways people can seek support.
