Societal Pressures and it's possible affect on depression
There are many reasons as to why depression sets in but Id like to focus on one specific reason and my hope is that by identifying it, we can see if this affects us in our own life.
Societal pressures – There are a lot of external factors that weigh us down in life. There is the pressure we get growing up as a child from our parents, teachers, and other roles of authority we encounter when we are young. Sometimes it can feel like we are always being told what and what not to do, which can be very overwhelming and we can be left with the question, what about me?
When we begin to get older we start to feel the pressure from our peers (our friends and others we coexist around). These pressures can include trying things we really have no desire to try or attempting to fit in with those around us (gender groups, cultural groups, etc). Some of us do well with this and look at it as a source of inspiration and motivation to become a better within certain aspects of our life but others can feel overwhelmed and burdened with the question, what about me?
And then comes adult life and whether it be advancing our education or entering the workforce, the external pressures can become even more amplified. Pressures to keep up marks in school in order to meet requirements to advance or keep scholarships. Pressures from the workforce like keeping up with a coworker or meeting the demands of your employer. What about me?
Something that intertwines with all of this is conformity and something that can make us all nervous is the fear of standing out and being different. But the reality of this is, you are different, you are unique, your passions are different and there really is no one else in this world quite like you; take pride in that!
So what about you?
What types of societal pressures do you notice in your own life?
What types of societal pressure do you find are the hardest to cope with? What are some that you find are easier?
Do you think that these pressures can be healthy and at what point do they do more harm than good?
Do you think that these pressures can become overwhelming and lead us into depression?
Are you afraid to stand out?
And here are some links that can help out if you want to know a bit more about this subject and how to break free of it.
Conformity - https://youtu.be/LiC0Gi0nK9g
Media Influence on women to be thin - https://youtu.be/9QHL6IwY0HA
Defining yourself in the midst societal pressures - https://youtu.be/rnObXu-DxgU
Be Yourself: Mantras to defy peer pressure - https://youtu.be/Ltkqvotr-aA
I see a lot of societal pressures, but I think the hardest ones to cope with are the ones that alienate people when they try to be themselves. I think it's awful for have someone share their passion and be incredibly enthusiastic about it, and then be laughed at and derided by the people they trusted enough to make themselves vulnerable. I think that even people who say they have an open mind still have biases, but they can overcome them if they consciously think about what they are doing. When people let themselves be seen for who they are and reveal what they truly love and then are humiliated, it can cause emotional trauma and scarring that can prevent them from ever opening up again, and I think it can definitely lead to depression.
@Pinnae You are certainly right. Society does pressure us in many unseen ways. The 'Society' is a little hypocritic , don't you think? I mean, They encourage you to follow your 'passion' and when you really do, they discourage you. You are not 'accepted'. This is indeed the Dark side of society and i do think, that it can be changed. Change can be brought, only if someone is willing to bring it. And you seem to have started the chain. 
@Kabira
THis happens to me alot ... for me, depression and social anxiety go hand in hand, and I often feel depressed if a friendship relationship fails because I feel I cannot please the other person or live up to their expectations of me or who they want me to be. It's really quite frustrating for me lately ...
@Kabira
This is very well said, I completely agree with you!
@Pinnae
That is true. First people ask you to open up to them and when you finally gather the strength to say what matters, they show you their backs and walk away from your life. Or worse they mock you for who you are and it definitely adds up to the cloud of sadness you were surrounded with and it creates trust issues and you stop sharing your feelings with anyone in future with results in depression.
@suckerforpain
Exactly! I have the same issues to deal with.
@Pinnae Completely agree -- rejection/neglect by valued persons does serious damage and can close you off. And pressure to conform to what is accepted -- set by whatever standards, values, or implicit expectations are held by those persons -- can be really difficult to deal with. I know I've found it hard to find unconditional openess in relationships and that's part of the reason why I value this place so much because it's a non-judging, open space. There's this one video I really thought was inciteful on this and opens up your eyes to how common this issue is -- it's a group interview conducted by this old humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFfXX2JHMbY
@Pinnae
I absolutely agree. I had an issue with a friend of mine who told me about his own problems with anxiety and depression ... and then when I confided to him about my issues and opened up to him about that, he completely trivialized it.
The hardest societal pressure I have had is being different to my family's religion and needing to be different in order to break free from the restraints, although society has a big effect on me I'm not certain it has the biggest impact on my depression. I feel like the lack of unconditional love and care in my life has had the biggest effect. Although that could be classed as society bringing me down instead of raging emotions... I'm not so sure haha
Interesting post.
I personally feel as though the biggest social pressure on people with depression is to simple be in society. Being "pressured" into conforming to societal pressure to be a neurotypical member of society is difficult when you can't understand your own thoughts and feelings; and don't feel confident enough to be yourself.
That being said, I definitely believe that societal pressures can result in depression. Feeling like you lack control of your life, that you're not doing enough or aren't good enough; or just not feeling like you fit in, can lead to people feeling isolated. We're a social species, when we feel we don't "belong" anywhere, that can cause very low periods in our lives, which may manifest into depression by the end of it.
@ErikB
I'm glad you brought this topic up as it relates to depression.
Sometimes, even though society does bring structure and order, it also has a big dark side to it. Some pressures I've felt, or have always had in my mind, include things like "You're not going to be truly happy until you find yourself a man to marry". This has stuck with me for so long it's practically ingrained in me now. That pressure, that I will only be really happy once I've found someone, definitely plays a role in how I view myself. And if I am having trouble actually finding someone, It's as if I have failed as a person. This ultimately feeds my depression and leads me down unhelpful roads.
Other society pressures that can weigh a person down emotionally and can lead to depression are things like your parent's hugh expectations of you, the need to be liked by everyone, the constant bombardment of the image of "the white picket fence" life, where once you get to be a certain age, you're supposed to find a job, get married, and settle down. It's like society creates this script for us to all follow in order for us to lead the best life possible. And if your life circumstances don't align with that script, it makes people uncomfortable, sad, even embarrassed.
Some pressures might be helpful in giving you a nudge in the right direction, though. I mean, you don't want to just sit around being an unproductive person, right (well at least I don't)? So the pressures otherse put on your, or you put on yourself to try to be the best you can be, or to try to find a job, or to try to do some good in your community, no matter how small it is, those are all good societal pressures that can actually have the opposite effect with depression.
@ErikB I think the beginning of my depression was caused by societal pressures. Then as i grew up into pressures from my parents. Some from my bf, but he stopped doing that. I felt pressure to be a certain person, and i never lived up, and felt like a worth less disappointment to everyone i knew. Then came depression.
@ErikB
Such a helpful post and thank you for the direct questions - those are excellent for analysing ourselves and seeing our strengths and weaknesses:
I have many societal pressures or atleast I think I have but a few that I struggle with mostly are the pressures of being a working mum. I often think am I doing enough for my children and my employer and trying to balance the two is incredibly difficult. I think I feel quite guilty often! I guess many of your will know that feeling sadly!
Some of the easiest pressures I find easy are the pressures of conformity, I often don't feel like I care that much about conforming as aslong as you're not hurting anyone then I don't feel it's that important to conform. I think societal pressure is good to keep you on a good path but it can also lead to depression when we seek others approval more than looking within.
Lisa
@ErikB This post was so true. I'm sure it resonated with everyone around here. As for me, I definitely feel the pressure to have a certain type of body structure, or act a certain way in order to fit in. I try not to let these pressures get to me. Like you said, being you is being beautiful. 
@PromotingWellness
I 'll raise a toast to that!
@ErikB If I had half a penny for each time I felt beat down by "societal pressures" I would have my own island! Just the pressure dumped on me by my own mother and brother is enough to keep me pinned in a gutter. Then you add co-workers and "friends" it is amazing I can get a breath or pull myself out of bed. I am sending these pressures away on this cyber cloud! :)
I understand.
@ErikB
So what about you?
What types of societal pressures do you notice in your own life? my father always put pressure on good grade, I did that. College, I have Associates of Arts. However I know he wants me to have 9 to 5 (such as a teacher) with a guy just like him and 2.5 kids cat dog and a house with a fence.
My life is far from that. I have the pressure of wanting to please him and make him proud, but my mom said I need to what I need to do to make me happy with myself and my life. Those who have pressure take a minute write down things you want or what makes you happy and work on that.
What types of societal pressure do you find are the hardest to cope with? What are some that you find are easier? My family pressures are the hardest to cope. My Internet friends are the easiest because I can walk away from the Internet.
Do you think that these pressures can be healthy and at what point do they do more harm than good? I think if pressures are turned into step by step goals with good support can do good. They are bad when they haunt your dreams.
Do you think that these pressures can become overwhelming and lead us into depression? Yes, they if not talked about. I think depression is a foggy monster that can twist anything and everything you need against you. I think this site really good and helpful. What you need to make the pressures work for you is figure out what you want, make goals and get some support.
Are you afraid to stand out? I used to be very out going. Then I got scared to make mistakes, but now I'm in a "I do not care" phase. If I stand out, then people know me if not, then at least I am doing something for myself.
