And the good news is, you'll get old

[EnumaElish]

Middle-age is truly depressing, study finds

By Michael Kahn Tue Jan 29, 7:25 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Middle age is truly miserable, according to a study using data from 80 countries showing that depression is most common among men and women in their forties.

...

The researchers analyzed data on depression, anxiety levels and general mental health and well-being taken from some 2 million people in 80 countries.

U-SHAPED PATTERN

For men and women the probability of depression slowly builds and then peaks when people are in their forties -- a similar pattern found in 72 countries ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe, the researchers said.

...

"It happens to men and women, to single and married people, to rich and poor, and to those with and without children," Oswald said. "Nobody knows why we see this consistency."

...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080129/hl_nm/depression_age_dc

Can this realization be part of the cure?

 

[lisab]

Yes, realizing that this, too, shall pass does help the middle-aged doldrums.

Mid-life bites. It means launching the kids into the world, watching parents become elderly...not to mention seeing our own health begin to fail!

 

[EnumaElish]

Yes, realizing that this, too, shall pass does help the middle-aged doldrums.

Mid-life bites. It means launching the kids into the world, watching parents become elderly...not to mention seeing our own health begin to fail!

What about older age, though? Isn't old age more of the some of the things you've mentioned? (Parents, own health?)

 

[Moonbear]

Middle age in the 40s? Hmmph! I'm planning to enjoy a couple dozen decades of travel after I retire, like Andre's parents.

 

[Evo]

I read a study recently that claimed that senior citizens were the happiest. I find that hard to believe unless they only studied the independently wealthy and unusually healthy.

In that age range, you usually suffer the loss of a spouse, close relatives, and friends, find that you are no longer able to participate in normal activities you have always enjoyed, have decreased income, and suffer from increased age related health problems.

As for longevity, on my mother's side the women have lived to very old ages, exceeding 100 years in many cases, and with no illness or loss of activity. On my father's side, he died at age 53. His mother was completely paralyzed from arthritis, although she lived to the age of 94. Luckily, no cancer or other serious illnesses on either side of the family, ever, in known history. I wonder how unusual that is.

 

[Gokul43201]

In that age range, you usually suffer the loss of a spouse, close relatives, and friends, find that you are no longer able to participate in normal activities you have always enjoyed, have decreased income, and suffer from increased age related health problems.

Bah! A walk in the park ... compared to the discovery of sagging implants!

 

[Tsu]

Bah! A walk in the park ... compared to the discovery of sagging implants!

OH NO! Which of your implants are sagging, Gok??

 

[Andre]

Middle-age is truly depressing.

Definitely not, never notice anything. Just be sure to have a couple of great kids, with whom you can have fun, help with homework, enjoy the good things, nice paintings, good music, looking forward to achieve goals, have creative hobbies, photographing butterflies for instance

(if you want one real size just pm me).

If you see this, how can you worry about getting old? Just enjoy so much that there is no time for worrying.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Dunno, I'm 57 and still waiting for middle age to set in. My mother too. She just turned 38 (meaning she's 83).

 

[lisab]

What about older age, though? Isn't old age more of the some of the things you've mentioned? (Parents, own health?)

I don't think my folks will still be with us by the time I'm in my old-age years. And the bittersweet heartbreak of the empty nest will be blunted by then, I'm sure.

I'm actually looking forward to being old. I love my job but I'll be happy when I'll have a completely flexible schedule. I work in the wood products industry and my job security is tied to the economy...it's a little precarious right now. It will be nice when my income (from 401k, pension, and social security) isn't so uncertain.

(And yes I know pensions can simply disappear . I'm not depending on it.)

 

[Moonbear]

OH NO! Which of your implants are sagging, Gok??

The left one.

 

[Astronuc]

I read a study recently that claimed that senior citizens were the happiest. I find that hard to believe unless they only studied the independently wealthy and unusually healthy.

In that age range, you usually suffer the loss of a spouse, close relatives, and friends, find that you are no longer able to participate in normal activities you have always enjoyed, have decreased income, and suffer from increased age related health problems.

As for longevity, on my mother's side the women have lived to very old ages, exceeding 100 years in many cases, and with no illness or loss of activity. On my father's side, he died at age 53. His mother was completely paralyzed from arthritis, although she lived to the age of 94. Luckily, no cancer or other serious illnesses on either side of the family, ever, in known history. I wonder how unusual that is.

The article did make the point - "But the good news is that if people make it to aged 70 and are still physically fit, they are on average as happy and mentally healthy as a 20-year old." So the statement is conditional.

Happiness is largely a matter of attitude and of choice.


The Turtles -

 

[tribdog]

I think I was happy when I hit my middle age. Lot's of good things happened. I got my driver's license, was able to vote. Could buy lottery tickets.