Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Societal Pressures and it's possible affect on depression

ErikB April 26th, 2017


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

74
immaddie July 26th, 2017

I don't know if this is relevant, but I just realized that I probably have been under pressure all this time, or I just overthink about it or take it too much to my heart. I think it will be better for me to share my story here.

I am a middle child in a 5-children household. My first sister is what you call a freak genius. She has a very profound way of thinking, a lot of talents, and so on. My second sister is a successful student. She graduated earlier than my first sister, and is now currently pursuing her master in psychology. My younger sister is a great artist. She learned her digital design ability from me, but now she has taken in to the next level by making money out of it (something I didn't consider since I do it for fun). Then, my only brother, even though he is still in the 8th grade, has a very great interest in animation and application programming. Meanwhile, I am a linguistics student, currently in my third year, and having no clear future plan. That's how I realized that I am not really doing what I like all this time.

Since I was a kid, I often got praised for doing something good, and when my parents praised my siblings, that made me jealous, and I always wanted to do better than them. As I grow older, I realized that I am always trying to please my parents. My parents initially wanted me to become a doctor, just like my mother, but I don't have that much interest in the field, and I can't even look at blood and flesh properly. I tried to get into medical schools in three different places, and I failed all the tests. Until one day, a teacher and two friends nonchalantly said, "You don't suit to become a doctor. You are good in English. Just try that." Instead of feeling hurt, I knew it was right. It was like, I need someone to tell me who I am and what I like. Now I'm a linguistics student, and I don't regret it at all.

However, even now, I still feel this desire to be acknowledged by other people regarding almost everything. I go to classes everyday not only because I love the subjects, but also because I want people to think that I'm diligent. I join several clubs so that I will be called "a student activist." I tried to keep my grades up in order to maintain my reputation in front of my parents, other students, and lecturers, despite having a great interest in all the subjects. Now I know this is all wrong, because I really want to be serious in my study, but I don't have fun at all while studying or doing my homework. I keep thinking about failing behind from my siblings, about my reputation, and I even start to think that it's my pride and honor. Is it?

This is the first time I talk about it this bluntly. I start to doubt my choices in life, and now I feel like falling deeper into this pit. I feel like giving up and quitting, and even running away and escaping, but I know it's impossible. So, I'll just leave it all for now. I really want to discover myself, figure out what to do, and get away from this feeling of anxiety and despression.

2 replies
lyra21 October 1st, 2017

@immaddie i'm sure it'll get better. just keep doing what you're doing

1 reply
immaddie October 2nd, 2017

@lyra21 I hope you're right. Thank you for the kind words.

load more
load more
greenThinker6452 September 4th, 2017

I agree.

silverMoment23 September 26th, 2017

How did i miss this thread 🤔 it's soooo true. Most times we try conforming to society's view on things and tend to loose a sense of who we truly are.

LilGreenBird September 26th, 2017

As a third-culture kid / person who has moved around a lot, it's the pressure from my birth country (and people from there) that hurts the most. They ostracise me for being different and it's hard when a large part of society agrees with them.

suckerforpain October 24th, 2017

@ErikB

The reason why we ask "what about me?" is because somewhere deep down we do know that we are different and unique but in order to fit in and live up to the expectations of those around us, we have to keep doing things against our will. Even though the question stays in our mind forever but we sort of give in to the situation and stop asking that question anymore.

ReservedExcitement December 16th, 2017

@ErikB

Thanks KS for posting this, good topic.

hipsta December 16th, 2017

Theres a lot I could say to this and a lot I usually say on such matters (close to my heart) but today my depression wins.

1 reply
ErikB OP January 1st, 2018

@hibsta I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic!

load more
charmingBeauty55 December 21st, 2017

Live the life , love the life

will0thewisp February 5th, 2018

What types of societal pressures do you notice in your own life?

I come from a low-income family and I still struggle with finances, and I go to an expensive liberal arts school. There's definitely a certain demographic here - white, middle-class, Christian, consumerist, etc. Kids that lived in the 2-floor, 5-bedroom houses in the nice sub-divisions. I really feel like I don't fit in, even though I know there are other broke weirdos like me and that the people I just mentioned aren't necessarily mean or judgemental by default. My best friend had to drop out because the pressure was so intense that she couldn't cope with her PTSD anymore, and I honestly feel like she was right to encourage me to do the same.

The coursework here is also really rigorous and I struggle to keep up. It was hard enough before I had to pay my own rent, and now that I'm working it's almost impossible to scrape by. When I do my assignments, I do well - but 100% on 50% is still 50%.

I'm also president of our school's GSA. I feel like I can't show vulnerability in the club or else I'll be looked down on for being a weak leader, even though I know my depression makes me weak to begin with. Idk. I also feel embarassed to discuss these problems with my professors. I feel like I'd just be wasting their time, and that they have perfect students to cater to over a tiny worm like myself.

What types of societal pressure do you find are the hardest to cope with? What are some that you find are easier?

The pressure to look good is the hardest for me to deal with. I don't have much clothing at all, and I have absolutely zero professional clothes. I can't afford acne treatments or eyebrow waxings. My shoes are old and scuffed. I have split ends and nasty cuticles from my cashier job. My laptop is old, dirty, and the fans are super loud, and I absolutely hate taking it out during class while everyone else has their lovely Macbooks. I just end up feeling really stupid and unwelcome around my peers because of it.

I think that it's easiest for me to deal with societal pressures on how to act and speak. I have a great customer service persona and I'm a good public speaker. I use humor to discuss my vulnerabilities and connect with others. I still feel like an alien in a people suit, but at least I'm an alien who can talk to people.

Do you think that these pressures can be healthy and at what point do they do more harm than good?

Pressure can be healthy as long as it isn't overwhelming. I can think of a lot of people who benefit themselves and all of society because they're pressured to bathe daily even though they don't want to. Once the object of the pressure (success, social relationships, appearance, etc) becomes what defines your worth as a person and the expectations are unrealistic, it starts to hurt rather than help.

Do you think that these pressures can become overwhelming and lead us into depression?

Yep. If you define your worth on your appearance and you don't match up to your experiences, you can feel worthless and hopeless. Cue depression.

Are you afraid to stand out?

Yes, because I'm afraid I'll stand out in a bad way and draw negative attention. I'd rather be invisible than be discovered as the alien slug thing I perceive myself to be.

1 reply
crimsonClementine942 April 1st, 2018

@will0thewisp when I read this is took me right back to how I felt constantly in high school, after I'd transferred from one city to a more affluent one, and I knew I was one of the very few students renting rather than owning a fancy subdivision house. Rationally I knew the whole dilemma I felt inside shouldn't have been of concern, but emotionally, it weighed on my shoulders every single day and I became obsessed with trying to fit in and prove my worth in other ways, like monitoring the way I spoke so it never sounded too "informal" and being super on myself about grades and trying to convince myself if I got the same grades as everyone else I had the same worth (which, looking back, like, it's messed up I didn't feel like I had any inherent worth). Anyway just wanted to let you know this post really echoed and resonated w me and I think you should open up to a professor who seems chill, if poss, or maybe a support office @ ur school.

load more
Rebekahwriter13 February 5th, 2018

I don't think you need to stand out, but find a group or friend that you can confide in. I think those with depression or ptsd should have sponsors like they do in a.a. meetings. That online friend that can cheer you on or help you with struggles. I feel this site has helped me a lot, but finding a long term listener has been hard.

I was in an low income family and got grants but I went to a local community college. I have an associate of arts collecting dust. I just wish I had someone telling it was ok to drop a class in order to focus better on the other classes. I also live to color code my notes.

I wish you best on your studies.

2 replies
BashfulBelle February 8th, 2018

@Rebekahwriter13

Are you taking classes to get your bachelor's degree? I know it's tough. But it'll be so worth it to get out of this low income cycle that we're in. I got a Pell Grant to finish my degree. And I'm finishing my BA degree online where I can focus on one class at a time. Maybe you could consider something like that? Wish you well!

1 reply
Rebekahwriter13 February 9th, 2018

@BashfulBelle

I can't get to the college.

load more
load more