Are Americans The World's Most Miserable People?

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I thought I'd put this topic on here because most of us are pretty worldly. I was wondering if you thought if Americans were more likely to experience depression and/or self loathing than those of other cultures.

In my very limited world experience, I can see how it is possible, although I cannot confirm it conclusively. Others I know who are either from other cultures or have experience abroad tell me it is true. I only have extensive experience with other Western societies, and yet I see how Americans can be hard on themselves.

I have heard several theories floated as to why Americans are so glum. One theory is diet. We eat a lot of sugar and processed foods, which make hormones go wacky. Another theory I personally subscribe to is that we Americans have an ingrained sense of individualism that makes many of us insanely aspiration. We have seen this with Americans living beyond their means thanks to debt. I believe it is equally as common for parents to regiment their children's' lives, hoping they go to Ivy League schools and become the next Fortune 500 CEOs.

What do you think?

I think the society here can certainly be a factor in the high numbers of depression and mental illness in general. I think there is too much pressure to achieve material 'success' and complete and total independence...like it seems there is a lot of stigma towards having to take things slower or accepting help rather than just burning yourself out trying not to burden anyone. and well there is a lot of negativity towards taking things down a notch as if its a crime relax sometimes. At least I think that could have something to do with it.

This proves that the worship of capitalism is a form of extreme masochism.

meh. We're just cut off from each other and the rest of the world. Maybe some of the cities are different, but most people live in these suburban or rural areas that foster same-ness and consumer culture. I would agree that Americans have a striving nature, but I'm not exactly sure what we're all striving FOR. I think being "American" is essentially being lonely and feeling ashamed because of it. We're constantly seeing images of perfect community reflected in TV shows and movies but aren't able to build the same thing in our actual lives because we've all been taught not to trust anyone EVER. It's sad. It's only in times of crisis that we ever see that pulling together and real sense of community grow.

Other countries have a culture. America is not a melting pot, New York is part of Europe, New England still English, and the Blacks and Mexicans are living in another world.

We have people coming here saying things got better when The Queen Mother took away all the guns, and how The Holy Father wants to lead all of his children.

Those who point out our Constitution being different, are called right wing gun nuts and worse.

We have to live our lives in a mix of people who are all sure they are right, and avoid being poisoned for their cause.

Europe emptied their jails, deported underclasses to America, and third generation asians still do not speak English.

I have nothing in common with those who would destroy myself, my culture, or my Nation, because they are here, and it is all they know.

The garbage of earth was dumped on these shores.

It may have something to do with our view of Europe, we have seen the worst they have to offer.

Now it is their turn as they get invaded by Africa and the Mid East.

We also have some of the most productive people, They tend to live in groups for self protection. I am sure their are plans to move some South Sudan tribe in for diversity, maybe a million from Somalia.

We are a country at war with its self. In a Post Industrial world where population declines, some want to open the doors to several hundred million of their relatives.

We need more slums, sub cultures, and jails. We need to lower our educational standards, and we cannot object, because that would be Racist.

So we discriminate against everyone equally. America is the land where people aspire to greatness, and that is what the rest are looking to steal.

Shutting people out is the only way to survive, because I am greedy and do not want to share, just because I have more, that I worked for.

The Government and Country of The American People is gone, I live in a Multi Cultural wasteland,

We are in decline, it will end badly, it is sad and depressing.

North eastern Europe has the consistently high suicide figures across many countries mainly ex soviet block.
In NZ Maori women [and men] are very high, Aboriginal Australians, and American Indians all suicide at very high rates.
Few full bloods exist now, and many autistic European settlers [mostly men]who migrated there in the 1800's screwed with the gene pool. Few white women were available or even present, and many autistic men left their homelands for the promise of a gorgeous native bride, a new life and escape the bullies.

Its the Canadians who have it bad

I think Americans are more in denial of their misery than other cultures. We're supposed to be "the best place on earth", or that's what's drilled into our heads. Have to hold on to that glossy shiny exterior to save face while underneath our society is quite rotten.