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Summarize and discuss the presentations of mental health in the two newspaper articles given at the end of this TMA One problem of mental health is that no one is quite sure what causes depression. But, many newspaper articles argue that mental health problems are on the increase (Batty 2011; Street-Porter, 2010), whilst they disagree over whether it is important to provide more treatments for people struggling with these problems (Batty 2011) or whether to challenge the diagnostic labels being used (Street-Porter, 2010). This assignment will consider why diagnosing people can be problematic and what other factors need to be taken into account when looking at figures on mental health problems. It is a common perception in both newspaper articles (Batty, 2011; Street-Porter 2010) that the numbers of medicated cases of anxiety and depression have increased dramatically over the last few years; with the number of prescriptions for antidepressants on an increase by 28% from 2007-08 to 2010-11 (The Guardian, 2011). While there is a general consensus about the rise in these medicated disorders, there are disputes over the cause. For example some argue that the label of depression is just seen as a fashion statement (Street-Porter, 2010), while others argue that depression is the result from material experiences of poverty and suffering (Batty, 2011). Yet, the figures that are presented in the article may not show the true figures for mental health. There may be more individuals suffering from depression, but yet have not reported it. For example Men may not want to report depression due to their ego and status within the community. This may make the figures less reliable. Currently, a person is diagnosed with clinical depression after meeting the criteria of symptoms in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, first published in 1952. This is the current reference manual used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders and lists over 200 mental health condition and the criteria required for making an appropriate diagnosis. Before the standardization of the classification system in the 1970s, researchers could not compare results and theories accurately as there were many different definitions being used. The standardization was clearly an improvement as the DSM allowed for a broader view of mental illness when conducting research. However, there are limitations of having such categories. Becker (1963) Labeling theory states that labeling an individual as mentally ill not only stigmatizes the individual, but encourages the very behavior deemed to be abnormal. Once labeled, one can define themselves, and are defined by others in relation to that label. Undoubtedly, the DSM has made great contributions to the study of mental health, but can human nature be measured accurately using such a generic checklist? It could be argued it is, in fact, adding to the problem of an over-diagnosed society. A study by Hopkins (2010) found that when they examined adults with depression identified by a doctor or another medical professionals who used the DSM, only 38.4% of adults with clinician-identified depressions met the 12-month criteria for depression, despite the fact that a majority of participants were prescribed psychiatric medications (Hopkins, 2010). These findings suggest that depression is over-diagnosed, and the figures that have been used in the Guardian Prescriptions for antidepressants increased by 28% from 34m in 2007-08 to 43.4min 2010-11 may be an inaccurate view of real clinical depression, hence why there is an increase. More and more people are diagnosed with mental health issue is because people are in fact are actually struggling more. For example I became extremely sleep deprived, working stupid hours of the week, could not get of the treadmill (Trisha Goddard, 2010). This example from the video excerpt shows that the pressure of working long hours, making money and conforming to societys

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values of being successful, can result in depression and anxiety. This is represented in the Daily Mail article by Street-Porter (2010) More and more women ascend the career ladder, were in competition with other womenleads to stress So, instead of biology or painful life experiences, societys value play a major role in over-diagnosing depression. Mental illness was much more unheard of and the treatments and diagnosis were not as available as they are today. Cures were more brutal with the introduction of lobotomies, shock therapies and such. People now have access to more medications. Other therapies such as the talking therapies are available but have a long waiting list and its seen as simply easier for Doctors to prescribe anti-depressants. The above example illustrates how changes in society, political and economic climates can impact severely on mental health and wellbeing. Both newspapers cover treatments of depression and anxiety differently. The Guardian suggests that Anti-depressants can be a lifeline for a person who enables them to manage their mental health problems (Batty, 2011). In contrast to this, the Daily Mail suggests that my life goes on; I have not retreated under the duvet with a bottle of pills (Street-Porter, 2010). Both have very contrasting views on how depression should be treated. But, these contradicting views depend on the background of the problem and what it is perceived as from the other point. This is where diagnosing individuals gets problematic. What is considered to be real depression that needs drugs or is it just one of everyday life stresses? The losses and gains of diagnoses are also a point of concern. The daily mail suggests that you do wonder how much of this acute unhappiness we bring on ourselves (Street-Porter, 2010). Whereas, the Guardian suggests that the tough economic times may have contributes to more people experiencing depression, but have made people seek help (Batty, 2011). It could be questioned whether it is useful to regard someone as to blame for feeling anxious (Daily Mail) or sad, but also consider the implications of believing that someone with a diagnoses has no control over or responsibility for their emotions and reaction to the situation (The Guardian) Also, one reason individuals are taking more prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression (The Guardian), could be due to the fact that it is a quick fix. When looking at these figures Prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs rose from just over 6m to 6.5m in the same period (Batty, 2011), it could suggest that due to an individuals quick paced life, and all the other work related stress, tablets can provide a quick fix so that they can resume their daily life. SSRIs are usually prescribed to treat anxiety and depression; they relieve the symptoms by blocking the reuptake of serotonin by certain nerve cells in the brain. One of the benefits of using prescribed drugs is the ability to reduce blame and stigma. The more a problem is viewed by the public as a medical illness, the less a person should be blames for having the problem. Yet, there are several alternative to medication which include psychotherapy treatment. Freuds (1881) theory concentrated on the unconscious psyche and develops an insight into problems that often stem from childhood. It considers the role of the conscious and unconscious psyche and how this affects relationships with others and oneself. Other therapys include cognitive behavioral therapy, behaviorist theory etc. Overall, both articles depict a consistent message of mental health discourse being relevant to the wider population not only to those with diagnosed medical disorders, calling for an end to the division into them and us. The Guardian (2011) depicts an over diagnosed society in which there has been an increase in prescribing antidepressants and anxiety drugs, due to economic strain. But, the

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figures are questionable. Have all the individuals statistics been included? Have they been overdiagnosed? What counts as depression? All these questions raise concern on the reliability of the results. Whereas, the second article from the Daily Mail (2010) suggests that depression is on the increase, but it just a fad. It is a term which has been overused for work stress, home stress, children etc. It suggests that it should be accepted as normal that life will be hard to cope at times. After all what is normal? It is a subjective concept; what is considered to be normal for one person may not be normal for another person. Therefore, one should not feel pressured into conforming to anothers vision of normal (celebrities). Mental health should be viewed as a spectrum which we are all placed upon. Throughout time a progressive development has been made in psychotherapy leading to a more holistic perspective in the treatment of mental disorders. One does not have to rely on prescribed medication, in order to feel normal. There are many more treatments such as counseling self-help etc. which can provide the same treatment which a drug can. References:

Freeman, S. (n.d.), How Lobotomies Work Psychiatric care in the 1930s: The lobotomies origins, http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/surgeries-procedures/lobotomy3.htm [Accessed 16 June 2013] Pilgrim, D. (2010) The Diagnosis of mental health problems in Barker, M., Vossler, A., Langdridge, D. Understanding counselling and psychotherapy, Milton Keynes, The Open University Batty, D. (2011) Antidepressant use in England soars: The Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/30/antidepressant-use-england-soars (Accessed June 2013) Street-Porter, J. (2010) Depression? Its just the new trendy illness!: Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1278510/Depression-Its-just-new-trendyillness.html (Accessed June 2013)

Self-Reflection: I found this tma interesting in terms of looking at depression itself and how much it has changed within the community from 30 years ago. Also, the different views that people hold of this illness. I found it difficult to get all the information within the word limit, as I had a lot of points to put across, but could not fit it in to the word limit Word count-1500