Sometimes we think it's our next-door-neighbor, or the person sitting in the next seat in class, or our instructor. . . or anyone but us! New research suggests trends in happiness over the lifespan that change what we've thought. Maybe middle age isn't so great, after all! Check out this article!
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15 comments:
I thought it was interesting the way they pointed out that world-wide, regardless of race, social status, gender, etc., that it was most common for people in their forties and fifties to suffer from depression. After all, isn't it during adolescence that the hormones are the most off-balanced, causing a surge of difficult emotions? Even though this occurs on some level during middle age, I would have thought that the most common age range would have been the teenage years.
Dera, it sounds like you're attributing general happi or unhappiness to hormones. Maybe that's not the key!
I was surprised that they said the ages would be forties and fifities. At that age you don't usually let things bother you as much as you would if you were in your twenties. In your twenties you worry about trying to fit in and keeping up with everything new thats comes out and you are exspected to do and accomplish so much. So therfore I would think the depression would be greater in your twenties.
I am in my 20's. I don't know how it feels to be middle age, but I do not right now there is a lot of things i'm unhappy with. Still there are somethings i'm happy with. I feel it just depends on a person response to situations and he/she life
I'm almost 17, and didn't realize that middle-agers are the least happy among people. Perhaps for some, it could be the result of their children "leaving the nest" and for others, it could be that their time for having children has passed. Also, I think it's interesting that researchers think it could be the result of unrealized dreams. How depressing that I may have the most depressing years of my life ahead!-Meredith Haddock
Meredith,
Please don't look at it that way-that you have the most depressing years ahead of you! They're stressful I agree, but they don't have to be depressing. I am passed the middle age point and I have to agree that quite possibly that was the most stressful time for me. We had children graduating from high school and we had to think of college costs, and every parent stops at one point or another and reflects back and wishes they could have given their children more. Financial stessors can cause depressions and marital conflicts and disatisfaction, but you get through it. For me, I always knew I had help from above, and I have to give Him the credit.
The empty nest syndrome was probably the worst time of my life. A mother is attached to her kids, and even though we are meant to give them wings, it is so difficult. My children are married, have stable careers, I have 4 adorable grand daughters ( three of them are 11 and the youngest is two). I live alone now, but I am quite happy, quite satisfied with my life. Sometimes I count up approximately how many years I may have left, and that is scary and depressing.
There is a very interesting article about the U-shape of how levels of happiness and satisfaction in Mindblog (on the left side of Ms. Meyer's blog). If you get time check it out.
In the meantime, be Happy! You have so many things to be happy about!
Peggy Edwards
Hey Peggy! Thank you for the encouragement! -Meredith
I believe there are many factors involved in this study, I think we all experience depression throughout our life, teenagers through old age, but for most of us, we snap out of it and embrace what life has to offer. I'm looking forward to reaching my forties and watching my own children become successful in whatever they do. I look at turning 40 as a brand new chapter that is just waiting to be written.
I'm only 19 and I stuggle with accepting things the way they are but I try not to stress out over things. I guess people being depressed at an older age makes sense, maybe after a life time of disapointment older men and women just can't handle it anymore..? I think younger people are more passive and get over hardships alot easier.
wow i learn something new everyday
My opinion is that most of the people in their 40's are cheerful and happy. They love life. The people in their 20's and 30's have a lot going on in their life, such as financial pressure. marital issues, and peer pressure. They are strong enough to handle it.
Dorothy Williams
I think like a lot of things Happines is in the eye of the beholder. Money doesn't buy happiness. Love, family, friends, all these things make people happy. How you look at things can influence happiness.
Kellie Alligood
"Tina Dunn"
I think that happiness depends on the person and their situation. It is not always the same as life's events also plays a role in how we feel, act and relate. Some have children earlier in age than others so the empty nest syndrome can come earlier for those individuals. Illness and death comes at any age so this could happen at anytime in ones life.
We all need to remember tomorrow is never promised to any of us so we need to live life to the fullest and never procrastinate on anything. If we feel like we should tell someone something, we should do it instead of waiting for the right opportunity. That may never come. Same goes for our careers. You are never too old to accomplish a dream. Some decide to have a career first then to have a family, and others the opposite.
It's not about how old you are, numbers mean nothing, it's how you feel. Do what is in your heart and be the best you can be at whatever you decide to do. God has a plan for all of us. It may sometimes be surprising to some what we end up being or doing. Just go with the flow and remember happiness brings longevity.
Tina Dunn
PSY 241 BCCC "Spring 2008"
I think the reason why we have a U-shaped level of happiness while other developing nations do not is of all the pressures we face daily. We all have to beat the Jones'and be better than the rest. When we are younger, we do it just not over important stuff like Jobs,houses, spouse, how to feed the kids, etc. When we are older we realized that we lived our lives and did our best and just decide to not worry because we just dont have the energy. The middle age crists is just us trying to be the best we can, not realizing what negative side effects that it causes.
Dennis McKinney
I can see how those years could be depressing. Lately Ive realized how aware I am about making major life decisions. I would hate to look back 20yrs from now and regret the decisions that I have made.
Jamie Rieg
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