Why the long face?

Letter from the editor

What's more depressing, actually being depressed or feeling artificially happy? For tens of millions of Americans, the answer is the latter.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antidepressants are now the most prescribed drug in the United States. In 2005, doctors handed out 118 million prescriptions for antidepressants. The second highest was blood pressure medication with 113 prescriptions.

Great, we're all fat and depressed.

In the last 20 years, use of antidepressants has tripled. Between 1995 and 2002, use of these drugs rose 48 percent.

Of course, some doctors see this as great news. An assistant professor at Columbia University hailed the rise in medication as proof that Americans are finally getting comfortable in their pursuit of mental health.

Actually, this is ridiculous.

Yes, depression is a legitimate problem, and antidepressants can be extremely helpful for those who need them. I'm not a Tom Cruise weirdo when it comes to medication.

The problem is, doctors are passing these drugs out like candy to every Sally sob-story they hear. One woman received medication from her doctor because she didn't like how her husband was balancing the family checkbook.

Doctors aren't treating depression, they are medicating unhappiness, which is a big difference.

Of course, the bombardment of television ads is a driving force for the skyrocketing rise of drug use. Companies spend billions marketing their drugs to doctors and consumers.

The ads are for all kinds of drugs, and Americans are willing to buy. In 2005, doctors handed out 2.4 billion prescriptions, and there are 301 million people in the United States. That comes to almost eight prescriptions for every man, woman and child.

What's happening to us?

In 1801, Henry Adams described the American in these words: "Stripped for the hardest work, every muscle firm and elastic, every ounce of brain ready for use, and not a trace of superfluous flesh on his nervous and supple body, the American stood in the world a new order of man."

Does that sound like the typical American now? Thanks to our pathetic reliance on chemicals to regulate our feelings, the description has changed from strong and sound of mind to weak and fragile addicts.

In his book, "Generation Kill," Evan Wright compares the constant pressures of the Marines in Iraq to his friends back home:

"… half the people I know back home are on antidepressants or anti-panic attack drugs because they can't handle the stress of a mean boss or a crowd at the 7-Eleven when buying a Slurpee."

We're doomed.

The causes of depression and the problems of a drug culture are legion. But all of this brings us back to the original question: What is more depressing, actually feeling depressed or being artificially happy?

What's wrong with feeling miserable every now and then? When did feeling bad become such an unacceptable experience? Why are people giving up the opportunity to improve whatever situation is bothering them and choosing to pop a pill instead?

And these antidepressants for most people do nothing to fix the problem. They simply create an illusion of happiness, but instead of people being forced to deal with an issue and find a solution, they are content to live in a prescribed prison where nothing gets better.

All this seems to tell me is that a lot of people have absolutely given up on living a full life. Instead of doing anything worthwhile, they are medicating, and doctors are willing participants.

Now that's depressing.