Modern Cultural Pressures that lead to Depression

Brief notes from a chapter by Edward Welch – Depression a Stubborn Darkness

1. Decisions
We are bombarded by many decisions.  At a young age.  There is a pressure to make the right decisions and a fear of making mistakes. What results is a fatigue and helplessness as we try to control the uncontrollable (life). We feel that we have somehow failed if we do not have all that we had planned or hoped.

2. Individualism
Loss of community and family.  Self-driven life, rather than one in which you have companions on the journey.

3. Self-indulgence
Whatever “feels good”.  “Follow your heart.”  Resultant emptiness, dissatisfaction. We think that indulging our desires will somehow satisfy.

C.S. Lewis: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

4. “One more”
Achieved something and found it empty.  Reach for the next thing that will “make me happy”.  Had delayed gratification for future happiness, but it wasn’t worth it in the end.

5. Self-esteem
Need to feel good about ourselves.  Cognitive dissonance when we discover that we are not the best, can’t do everything and can’t have it all.  The only options are depression or denial.

6. Happiness idol
Happiness becomes the purpose of life.  Avoid suffering at all costs.  If suffering exists, something must be wrong.  If there are hardships in a relationship – end it.  If there are unpleasant emotions – medicate it.  Unable to handle disappointment.  But suffering is a part of life.

7. Entertainment and Boredom
Inability to tolerate peace.  To meditate (on God, Phil 4:8).  We must fill life with “stuff”.  We never take time to relax and enjoy.

Blaise Pascal: “The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.”