Depression Quote by Elizabeth Wurtzel
““...sometimes they almost made me feel glad that I had a few extra years to play my depression out with therapy and other means, because I think its useful in youth- unless suicide or drug abuse are the alternatives- to have some faith in the mind to cure itself, to not rush to doctors or diagnosis's...I sometimes worry that part of what creates depression in young people is their own, and their parents, and the whole worlds impatience with allowing the phases of life to run their course. We will very likely soon be living in a society that confuses disease with normal life if the panic and rush to judgment and labeling do not slow down a bit. Somewhere between the unbelievable tardiness that the medical profession was guilty of in administering proper treatment to me and the eagerness to with which practitioners prescribe Ritalin for 8 year old boys and Paxil for 14 year old girls, there is a sane course of action.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal reflections on mental health, 2015
Youth depression often stems from societal impatience and over‑medicalization, suggesting a need for patient, self‑directed healing.
In simple terms: Society rushes to label and medicate depression.
Key Takeaway
Allow time for natural emotional processing.
Themes
mental health
societal pressure
youth
self‑care
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
personal
analytical
When to use this quote
- adolescent counseling
- family discussions
- school mental‑health programs
- public health policy
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
psychology
pharmacology
cultural norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance patience with professional help?
- What role should families play in supporting mental health?
A Different Perspective
Medication can be necessary; neglecting it may worsen outcomes.
