Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Substance Abuse in America

Tim Ferriss, the author of "The 4-Hour Work Week" has posted some interesting stats on his blog about work and American life.

63% of all employees want to work less, up from 46% in 1992.

26% of adult Americans report being on the verge of a serious nervous breakdown.

40% of workers describe their office environment as “most like a real-life survivor program.”

Only 14% of Americans take two weeks or more at a time for vacation. The average American therefore spends more time in the bathroom than on vacation.

61% of Americans check email while on vacation.

53% of employees would opt for a personal assistant rather than personal trainer.

62% of workers routinely end the day with work-related neck pain, 44% report strained eyes, 38% complain of hand pain, and 34% report difficulty in sleeping due to work-related stress.

88% of employees say they have a hard time juggling work and life.

70% of working fathers and working mothers report they don’t have enough time for their children.

In 2005, a psychiatrist at King’s College in London administered IQ tests to three groups: the first did nothing but perform the IQ test, the second was distracted by e-mail and ringing phones, and the third was stoned on marijuana. Not surprisingly, the first group did better than the other two by an average of 10 points. The e-mailers, on the other hands, did worse than the stoners by an average of 6 points.

Dr. Richard Wolff, a professor of economics states in his online video, "Capitalism Hits the Fan", that Americans are working 20% more than they were 30 years ago while Europeans are working 20% less. He also cites constantly increasing numbers of Americans taking psychiatric medications and struggling with substance abuse.

It may be time for the American people to examine their values and determine if their mental health might be more important than owning the latest, greatest new bit of technology or wearing designer clothing, or having a new Hummer. And indeed, I see some who are. A recent article on the Examiner.com site, "Frugal is the New Sexy" discusses the new phenomena of people placing expensive purchases in unmarked shopping bags and "closet shopping" to create a unique, signature style rather than purchasing the latest new looks.

As Americans place value on things, hopefully they will more highly value people and relationships and our dependence on psychiatric medications and substances to alter our moods will be replaced by socializing with friends spending more time with our families. ANd perhaps Americans will become more active in electing officials who actually represent them as opposed to politicians who serve corporate interests above human interests.

We can hope.

You can read more about mental health issues on my blog at www.kellevision.com.