Are we more likely to become depressed and unhappy when we
hit middle age? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to
this question. First of all, we would have to define middle
age and take into account all sorts of influential factors
before reaching a conclusion. Secondly, depression can
occur as a result of life circumstances such as divorce,
redundancy, relationship problems, as well as genetics,
environment and health, or for no apparent reason at all.
Depression can also occur at any age, regardless of
background, culture or socio-economic status.
No one knows exactly why some people develop depression and
others don't but what is known is that it is a worldwide
problem. According to the World Health Organisation,
approximately 450 million people have a mental health
problem. Now, a recent research study has indicated that we
are indeed more likely to become depressed during middle
age than at any other time of our lives.
The Study - "Is Well-Being U-Shaped over the Life Cycle"
This study, the biggest of its kind ever undertaken, is
soon to be published in the highly respected journal
'Social Science and Medicine'. The results have highlighted
that we are most likely to be unhappy during middle age.
In fact, the most likely age to become depressed in the UK
was 44 regardless of gender, whereas in the US there was a
gender difference in that it was 50 years of age for men
and 40 for women.
The study conducted by researchers from Warwick University
in the UK and Dartmouth College in the USA involved more
than two million people and included data from 80 different
countries. What the results showed was that irrespective of
wealth, status or gender, no matter if you had children or
not, whether you were divorced, married or single, the
pattern was consistently the same.
Our happiness levels peak in our 20's and then dips
dramatically during middle age only to rise again in later
years. Why this should be the case is not known although
the researchers suggest that it is something that happens
deep within the human being and touched on possible
theories.
For example, perhaps when we are young the world is our
oyster so to speak and we feel we can do or be anything we
want, whereas in mid life, a sort of reality check takes
place where we realise that our life's ambitions may never
take place and we have to redefine our goals and
aspirations. If we can accept who we are and our own
limitations then we will get through it relatively
unscathed. Later in life we may well find that we have
experienced loved ones and friends dying and are just happy
to still be around. Finally, as happier people live longer
lives, this could possibly have influenced the results.
Regardless, the results of this study would indicate that
during the middle years of life, our feelings of well being
and our mental health are not as good as they were or how
they might be later in life. So what does this mean when we
consider depression? Are people in middle age are more
prone to depression? If so the news that it is perfectly
normal to feel unhappy during this period may help some
people to cope better during mid life. However, we must
also be careful not to attribute real depression as
something to expect just because we are in our forties or
fifties.
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression can be described as persistent low
moods and loss of interest in activities that were once
pleasurable to the extent that it interferes with our
ability to carry out our normal daily routines. This is
completely different to the low spirits or feelings of
sadness that we can all feel from time to time but which
passes after a short period. If you are clinically
depressed then the feelings don't just go away.
Diagnosing depression can be problematic too as patients
will often arrive at their doctor complaining of other
problems such as joint aches and pains, headaches or
stomach problems and are reluctant to admit to feeling
depressed. Others may choose not to seek help at all. If we
feel that life is a struggle when we reach our middle years
and we are finding it difficult to cope on a day to day
basis, we shouldn't be complacent about it and think it
will just go away. Untreated depression can have serious
consequences and should never be ignored or passed off as
normal. The good news is that with support and professional
help, depression is treatable no matter what age you are.
----------------------------------------------------
Depression and anxiety are serious conditions that can
strike anyone at anytime. For more information about
depression and self help come and visit
http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk
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