The title is cute, but I guess it's good to get people talking about mental illness.

I think we all know the reason Americans are so misserable.

We are brought up thinking we can do anything, if we work hard enough.

Most of us were brought up by parents who lived in an era where that was more true.

The economy is terrible. (Sorry folks, but just last month the unemployment figure that calculates the number of people who can work, but just stopped looking for working doubled from a year ago for the same month. We all know people who stay at home, or are isolated. Just kinda getting by?)

Don't get me started on Globalism. That is the one reason he was elected. We all knew something wasen't right, but he was the first public person to yell it.

Media, and even societal norms(family expectations) keep telling us to "get it together".

Turn on any t.v. show and it's about financial success, or looks.

Men are just expected to make money. Women have the added burden of making it gracefully; making it while still looking great. Sorry women, I have seen how you judge other women. For the most part you can be nasty. My ex was attractive, and very naturally thin. She always had one woman at work who gave her a hard time. And they way men objectify women is just wrong. It's become so common place, it seems like it's acceptable? She pretty, so she a good person? I don't get it.

Media never lets up on being beautiful, and desirable. We are living in a superficial era. It's been that way for awhile, but it's just gotten worse.

What's the first question the average Dinkleberry asks someone when they meet, "What do you do?". It's the American equalevent of saying hello. What--do--you--do? I didn't like it 20 years ago when it was basically yelled in a bar, but now it's everwhere. Personally, I don't judge a person on WTD. Got a little off track.

Veterans come home from duty, and expect a decent job. These jobs don't exist, or are hard to obtain. Some have understanding families. Some actually get some soul crushing help from "entitlement programs". (Before you say anything--apply for Food Stamps, medi-cal(yes, I know veterans administration "takes care" of them), or section 8 housing. It's a ego smashing experience.)

I don't want to let up on the American expectation problem:

Men: In good shape. Financially independent. A promising job, or potential to obtain a promising job. Kida handsome.

Women: Kinda the same, but more emphasis is put on appearance.

Plus--both are are just expected to be good all knowing parents.

O.k.-- Since we are all expected to be some '50's version of success, we work hard. Some spend a lot of time in school and find success. Some get lucky. Some are born into it.

Many people are just having a hard time. Many people are having a very hard time--on so many levels.

Many people have a mental illness pop up. We rely on Psychologists, and Medical Doctors to help.

They, for the most part, have failed spectacularly.

Psychiatrits were duped into beliving these drugs work 50% of the time. Actually, every Psychiatrist I have listen too told me around 2/3's of the time. The latest drug I looked in was 62% over placebo. I belive that was Abilify. The placebo number is always high in these dubious studies.

Personally, as someone who has been on at least 10 different drugs--(all paid for out of pocket); I along with a researcher named Irvin Kirsch belive most of these drugs are worthless.

I did find certain, potentially addictive drugs, like clonezepam, and bupenorpine, helpful, but they have their problems. If I had a do over, I don't think I would have ever walked into a Psychologists/Psychiatrists office, but you have to do it. You need to find out for yourself. They seem to help a lot of my friends.

I'm not qualified to comment on pharmacology.

When I see people turning to street drugs to alleviate the misery; I kinda understand why. To me, it's never been worth the risks though. I have never felt that bad.

I don't have any remedies--other than to buck the societal norms. Be more understanding?

I do know we need to show understanding to those in pain. (physical & mental) We need to be more sympathetic. That whole, "walk a mile in a man's shoes." We need to lighten up. No one has a perfect life. We need to demand change in our social programs. We need to need to do something radical. Yesterday!

(The FDA just sent out guidelines to every doctor in the United States concerning prescription guidelines of opiate based drugs. What I think the FDA missed was the core problem people become dependent on these drugs to begin with. They have misserable lives, and the drugs alleviate the missery for a few months. I have seen about 9 months of relief, and then a lifetime of trying to get off them. So yes, we need to curtail their use, but we can't let people in pain just suffer. It's a balancing act. I don't believe cancer should be the marker of wether someone is prescribed these addictive drugs.). Again, a bit off base.

I'm tired of the huge number of suicides, and tired of just seeing more homeless monthly. I'm tired of seeing people in pain. I'm tired of my life. Just dissalusioned. This is not the greatest country anymore, on a lot of levels.