I’ve tried that with people playing ain’t it awful and it really pisses them off. I suppose we could try it sometime if everyone agreed.

I in no way meant that no one needs anti-depressants (is that a double negative?). This wasn’t meant to be judgmental and tell people ” to man up and refuse to face their problems.” I understand that things are never that simple. We live in a highly complex world with many different answers for different people. If anti-depressants are right for you, I’m happy for you. Becoming aware of the game of “Ain’t it Awful” has been a big help to me, and I just wanted to share it. It is something I’ve just recently gotten a handle on in the last few weeks.

However, I will say that the use of anti-depressants has been on the rise for years. And I don’t think previous under diagnosis explains the entire rise. I have friends in the medical profession (non-psyche) that tell me over 50% of the people they see are on anti-depressants. They tell me it is especially high with women over 30. Now, I’m no doctor, but my gut tells me something more is at work here.

However (and forgive me for whipping this dead horse, but you did bring it up) I don’t think I agree with your followup that this is a big reason behind why so many people are on the happy pills. Full disclosure: I am on the happy pills. When I am not, things can be completely fine– the aint-it-awful game and bad influences long ago held at bay– and I will still be anxious, paranoid, and angry. With them I am a rational person, still feeling the full spectrum of emotions but for reasons that make sense. I don’t like that the use of these drugs is so often characterized as an indicator of how so many people just won’t man up and refuse to face their problems. That’s certainly not the case for me.

One thing I didn’t mention in this post is that we need to show empathy for people facing difficulty and tragedy, those people close to us that need us. We need to listen and be compassionate even if we can’t “fix” the problem. But doing that isn’t a game of “Ain’t it Awful.” The game of “Ain’t it Awful” is designed as form escapism and distraction that leads to powerless feelings and even depression. It is also used to achieve power over others by pushing guilt downward and outward. The news is a perfect example. The news isn’t about compassion or empathy, it’s about ratings and shock and entertainment. I don’t need it anymore, especially TV news.