"To the man with SSRIs, every life issue looks like depression"

I mean, that's all psychiatrist do and can do, right? They aren't going to create a diet plan, work out plan, help you great goals, help you get your life together, etc.. They just offload that on others.

How many mental issues can be caused by physical aliments? Do they ever screen for those e.g. check thyroid levels, vitamin-D, etc.? (Not in my experience)

I honestly feel people would be better served going to a GP that actually looks at situations more holistically, then perhaps go take a visit to the pill-mill.

It is probably true that very many mental disorders, like other illnesses, would fall to improvements in exercise and diet. But often enough no progress on those is possible without some pharmaceutical relief first.

I wonder how much of that is due to societal demands. With work demands, commuting, household chores, errands, etc., I can clearly see how people struggle to find the time, energy, or desire to better their lives.

I'll admit, I should be better about my diet and exercise too. However, I am plagued with the same issues of lack of energy and motivation to better my life and I also have a "mental disorder" I was born with. I prefer to call it a 'societal incompatibility' or 'evolutionary maladaptation' -- much like an appendix which may have once served a more important purpose many moons ago, but tends to only cause issues in today's time.