Have you ever suffered from depression?
Have you ever suffered from depression, or known a loved one or family member who did?
An essay at Kryia.com talks about the challenge of helping a spouse caught in the grip of serious depression. It talks through some of the myths about depression and the importance of recognizing, and responding compassionately, to the signs of depression in yourself or others.
My own experience has taught me both that depression is much more common that many people realize, and that it’s much more difficult to deal with than you might expect. Has depression ever visited your household, and if so, were you able to deal with it?
I have suffered from clinical depression for years. it is a debilitating illness that impacts all aspects of life; especially mental faculties. When I am depressed I feel God has forsaken me and that my prayers fall on deaf ears because my mind is so clouded and foggy nothing seems to penetrate. It is like trying to move through quicksand. I pray daily to be delivered from this affliction (some days are not as bad as others) and ask God what purpose He has for me in it?
I rely on medications, the prayer and support of people who understand. My weapons are HOPE and FAITH.
There are many myths regarding depression. Firstly it is not volitional. It is a biochemical imbalance in the brain. It is not laziness or lack of will. It is serious and can be life-threatening.
Those who are clinically depressed need medical help and the support and understanding of family members.
I would say that I haven’t suffered from depression. But I have had spiritual attacks against me eg noises in my ears, voices. These have led to times when I have felt down. I also started shaking a lot. This led to a lot of distress. Remember the trials of Job and that God eventually restored his household. We are being moulded into the image of Jesus.
Hi Feona,
I’m curious to learn how you dealt with these demonic attacks. Can you share a little more about your experience?
HI,
I also suffer with severe clinical depression and have been in out of psychiatric offices and hospitals since I was in 4Th grade and my dad left my mom disabled and unable to take care of four children. So she also had sever depression and self medicated with pain killers and muscle relaxers. After my dad left, he met a women who introduced him to crack cocaine. These were parents who always knew the word of God by heart and raised us in church. I was born with Jesus in my life. I attended Youth group anything I could do to serve God.Yet I would have days of suicidal thoughts because my mom wouldn’t be able to take care of us do to her disability and self medicating. So then I stopped going to church and began doing drugs at age 15 or so. By the time I was 19 I was smoking crack and was already addicted to pain killers just like my mom of two years, after I had my first daughter, at the age of 17. The drugs made me feel good, but it wasn’t permanent. So now I quit all drugs and began taking psychiatric medicines and at age 21 I began to start reconciliation with family, God, and everyone I’ve hurt.Depression is real and it doesn’t have to effect you because by God’s wounds we are healed. Even in our brain. I proclaim the word of the Lord on all those Christians suffering with depression, that they can be happy through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Jamie
Age 22(on March/3rd/2010)
Hi Anne,
There is a lot of misinformation and mythology related to depression. Not all of that misinformation is on the secular side.
You say: “I rely on medications, the prayer and support of people who understand. My weapons are HOPE and FAITH.”
That’s a strongly clinical approach. The chemical imbalance is in part due to our inability to adjust to stress turmoil and difficulty. Psychiatry is based on the flawed premise that the impaired mental state is self causational. There is chronic and situational depression… Have you ever met anyone who has had everything go wrong over and over again for weeks, months, or even years? Is their depression situational or chronic?
The truth is there is a strong correlation between how we think, act, and feel. Self focus is more than selfishness, pride, arrogance, and what we would consider self-centeredness. If we can work at changing our focus from ourselves and strive to be others focused, things will become more balanced. Our bodies will also make the adjustment chemically. Sometimes people need supplimental meds, but the real changes need to be choices. Depression wether or not we want to own it is really a life turning in upon itself – an emotional black hole. No one can ever be supportive enough, loving enough, or caring enough to provide balance for anyone else. That’s why family and friends eventually create emotional walls or insulation about themselves.
Your comments are spot on, and represent an excellent step D. However, to get to this understanding, the individual needs to get to step A, which is often the hardest part, then go through B and C. Unfortunately, many Christians think people should begin at D, and as a result aren’t much help to the afflicted, but rather act as an encouragement for them to remain stuck.
This advice comes too late. My ex-wife is still suffering from depression and we may have remained married if I had recieved counselling on this. I still feel so very guilty about leaving my wife and wonder how God can direct my life following this traumatic life event over two years ago. My ex-wife has been depressed for over 6 years and I found it too difficult to cope with.
Me too, Anne. Well put. The biggest problem is facing those who differentiate a “mental” illness from a physical one, often placing some sort of blame on the victim. As you note, the mental is also physical, it is indeed a chemical imbalance. So really, there is no difference between depression or some physical ailment and the two should be treated the same by us and by society,
I have battled serious depression for 10 years. I have been in outpatient care, take antidepressants, but still could not overcome the debilitating disease of depression. I had no idea it had such a devastating effect on my entire family. I was at rock bottom…again!! I visited my parents church, just to please them, and there I gave my life to God! I have been released from the grip of depression after all those years of me trying to do it on my own, Jesus has taken it away. I am able to enjoy my family again and find pleasure in doing things. EVERYBODY who knew my struggles are amazed how Jesus has worked in my life to restore happiness. I am so blessed by the Grace of God! I pray for you if you are battling this on your own, give it to God cause he is the healer.
My wife of 17 years had depression. I tried all I could to help her and encourage her. She ended up choosing to pursue an affair with a drug addict. It devasted our family of 4 sons.
Dear Garrett, My wife of 17 years is pursuing an affair with an alcoholic. It’s an old flame she knew 27 years ago. Her family has a history of mental illness. For years I have felt a brakedown was coming but I never expected anything like this. I tryed encoragement, I was a rock for my her and the kids. As it turned out she resented everything I did. It really was a no win situation for me and the kids. She has been in thereapy since her faher committed suiside when she was 17. She is 47 now. Anyway I still love her and it’s over and I am broken hearted. I pray and I am and strong for the kids but it is very difficult. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in pain. John
I have had depression for decades. It is truly something that cannot be “fixed” by positive thinking, or determination. While it is always helpful to understand our feelings, it is vital that people understand the difference between how we feel and the actual truth. I feel abandoned and alone. The truth is that God will never leave me. I feel hopeless, God is truly a God of hope. I feel unimportant. God selected me and has a purpose for my life. The list goes on and on. I have also dealt with many, many people who have tried to tell me I am strong enough, and God is strong enough, that I should not need my medications. The truth is that chemical imbalances, whether they be for diabetes or depression, heart problems or high blood pressure, are the same. Somehow Christians tend to be the worst at dealing with mental illness. It’s an illness, not a moral failure. Take your medications. Remind yourself of scriptural truths. Talk to a knowledgable counsellor. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a guest in your home.
i have been dealing with depression for many years i got with a man that treat me bad belittles me then i went to bed and been living there most of the time i cant pull my self up and no friends and family but i know god will send help and someone in my life to strenghten me cant fight a lone keep me in prayer
Hi Pam:
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with depression. I am a 47 year old female, and have battled depression all my life. I think it probably started when my father was killed in an automobile accident when I was three years old, leaving my mother with 8 children, 6 were still at home. I was the baby. My father was an alcoholic, and I’ve heard the stories of what my mother had to go through after his binges.
I am sorry that you are with a man that belittles you, and is mean to you. There are places you can go to get out of that situation. You will never get better as long as you are with him.
I will pray that God helps you, and helps take you out of that situation.
God Bless you,
Darlene
Marti,
Thanks for speaking up here. I think you have the right of it. I have been battling depression for a long time. For many years, I refused to seek clinical help because of Christian attitudes about not needing to take medication and blaming the issue on moral failure. I fail to understand why Christians refuse to acknowledge sorrow as an honest and appropriate reaction to this veil of tears we dwell in. Aren’t we supposed to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice? Instead, I find the first reaction from many souls is judgement.
We don’t go around blaming cancer on a sin problem, but if it’s depression–there is often an assumption. Some illness may be caused by biological processes, some may be caused by sin, and some may be caused by demons (that’s the way I understand the scriptures anyway). But the reaction is usually that it must be one or the other–all scientific or all spiritual. Only God knows, so stop judging and condemning–or you condemn yourself (not you Marti, but others).
I take my medications most days. Once in a while I will skip ’em for a few days, and the depression begans to mount up again. I only do it now and again to remind myself that my physiological condition is real. The medications don’t dope me up or interfere with my relationship with God. If I’m wrong for being saddened by this world we live in, then so were several people in the Bible (and I don’t believe they were wrong). Even Jesus wept. God isn’t supposed to wipe away ALL of our tears until the end, but He will wipe them away. I wish some Christians would stop pretending like there is never cause for sorrow in this world and would stop judgin’ those of us who struggle with this.
It is an illness, but prayer and medication do help. I don’t find that many counselors are very helpful. Only God can truly help us find the way out of the maze of depression. In some instances, I’ve actually had counselors make matters worse. But Jesus has never failed me, EVER.
If anyone who reads this struggles with sorrow for a long time or thinks he or she may be depressed, don’t be ashamed. Seek out help. If you need medicine, take it. If you do, and it’s the right medication for you, you should notice an improvement fairly soon after beginning–within days. If you don’t notice an improvement or you find the person is not helpful, speak up or seek out someone else. Don’t give in to it. If you are struggling with a sin issue, I find that it has made matters worse for me–but that is one effect of sin on a condition that I already have from a physical problem.
just for today think of haiti your promblems will feel like nothing for awhile than when they pop up agian remember just how blessed you really are. theres nothing that God can’t do he will help you if you are his child and you ask him.
Depression is a lot more prevalent, then we would like to think. In fact since the beginning of the 20th century. A time of abundance and the ability to provide for families. It has been on a steady increase. I was born with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Since my late 20’s I’ve had 7 joint replacements in 9 yrs. I’m now 49. I’ve dealt with depression for most of my life. Rather poorly too I would say. It’s hard on family and relationships. I would say we can cope better with the right tools.
#1/. Prayer: with out ceasing… keep God in your life!
#2/. I have just recently found a series of books to help people like us. They are by an American Internist named Dr Niel Nedley. He discovered many of his patients who suffered from physical ailments.
Upon looking for the causative factor he found depression at the root of most chronic conditions. His research and study led him to find that thru diet, exercise, sunlight,, listening to classical music, and changing other factors in our lives. We could not only feel better but in many cases we could wean off the anti-depressants.
When I say diet it is nothing weird. It’s as simple as including more of certain types of food in our diet. ie: omega 3’s, vitamins B-12 & B6. Ground flax seed in our morning cereal, red peppers etc.
I highly recommend his books. Foremost you must want to change your old habits, you must seek God’s help.
In truth, I,m just coming out of about 3 years of on-and-off depression. So many things in my life were just topsy-turvy and dealing with the hard times was so hard. What kept me going was God’s word and reading my collection of Outdated copies of My devotional – OUR DAILY BREAD- from RBC ministries like a novel;as well as loving family members and friends. that period of those problems is now over and I’m grateful to God, my family and friends and RBC ministries for all the support.
As a teenager i fell into a depress state always tired, nothing seem to go right, fearfull of things, no love from family members, i felt rejected, hurt and abandoned it was like i was in the world all alone yet i was surrouned by a huge world filled with people doing their own thing.One of my friends mother told me to read psalms 37 over and over again until i would get some understanding on what i was reading,that seem not to work initially, but as i kept reading daylight surfaced from within the darken state i was in bringing relief.Fifty years later i read in the book of Isaiah 60-1 King James Amplified verison how to arise out of a depress state. What i realized and recognized was that God had been there the whole time i had to tune in to His frequency and come under his radar for a changed lifestyle.
Eddie,
It is NOW fifty four years for me to…And it took this long to come along to read your post… to get it! You have positioned me to free myself of the same feeling(s) you wrote about in your post.
I thank you for leaving the bread crumb on the trail of His path. Eddie you have saved me and shown me that He is working miracles.
Psalm 37 and Isaiah 60-1!!!
God Bless
Regan McCarthy
I have dealt with depression for years myself…like many, I self medicated with alcohol and drugs. At one point however God did deliver me from my pain…only to be picked back up from his feet….thats when the drugs came into play. I do believe with strong conviction that God can take it away…yet…it is also a very serious condition that as some have said is just as serious as diabetes and high blood pressure…also of which God has complete ability to alleviate. So why does He for some and not others? I do not know…what I do know however is that for me personally, I struggle everyday now with those old familiar feelings of not “being enough” of anything. Some days, it feels as if I have to BEG God to help me just make it through the day. I also know that one thought keeps coming to mind…God is not so much concerned with my comfort level as He is my character. In how I deal with things. So…everyday I ask God to Take my will and my life, guide me in my recovery and keep showing me how to live clean, lest I try to pick up my old self again. I also ask Him to everyday to not let people see me, but to see Him through me. Some times it is my mantra throughout the entire day. But in doing so, I have seen that some of my old attitude of negative thoughts and actions are fading away. It is truly a daily battle sometimes. Some days are better than others. Most times its days that I feel bad..but I know God has a plan…I believe with all my heart you can not wipe the tears of others unless you have cried them yourself. I have recently committed to going back to Gods word again..and reading the bible and search for God again as I once did, believing that is the key. I know its long. I pray it touched someone.
How do we know if we are suffering from depression?
Grace, God bless you. If you are able to function normally on a daily basis then you probably are not depressed, but you should see a doctor if you suspect you are depressed.
pmw, how does one know what “functioning normally” is? I am the son of an alcoholic, who abused me, broke my spirit, and kept me that way almost till the day he died. It was only in his dry alcoholic mind, when he was completely dependent upon us, that he realized that I loved him. I have no idea what “normal” is, in any respect. Some days, I find it very difficult to function. I have talents that I have trouble building upon because I have trouble holding thoughts, paying attention, and seeing any point to what I’m doing. You see, this is normal for me. This is what I’ve lived with my entire life. Some have described my harder times as a healing process that will end some day. I pray that is true. But my “normal” is mine. Not saying this with any anger. Just clarification. – Jon
I’ve been saved since I was 8 and am currently 38. I have struggled with the suicidal thoughts since my early college years. I’ve been plagued by mental over-crowding and just a sense of overwhelming despair. No one chooses to feel this way. It’s painful experience and has terrible effects on all those who love & live close to you. I particularly feel for the husbands who have either had to leave their wives or have been left by their spouses. Please reach out for support, I’m sure there is help available for you.
My husband has endured this for over 10 years and it hasn’t been easy. It’s taken a toll on our marriage, and we haven’t dealt with it in the best of ways. Both he and my family members have attempted to encourage me by saying,†just shake it off, God is so good to you, you have so much to be thankful for…†or “You are too blessed to be stressed or depressed.†I realize that they are trying to help, but it only makes me feel worse.
For the longest time I felt like I let God down; like I was misrepresenting Him. I’m sincerely relieved that there are so many of us out there. For the longest time, I felt like I had let God down; that I was misrepresenting Him with this depression. Why should anyone want to come to God if I’m a depressed Christian? It sounds like an oxymoron. Those two words shouldn’t be in the same sentence, you know…I was going to church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, but I was thinking about dying all along. Still today, I think I would be better off dead than alive, but God…
I’m unable to control the darkness that literally hovers over me from time to time. I just want to crawl under a rock and never come out. I often begin my days with tears and fall asleep at night on a wet pillow. It’s tiring. It takes all your energy. You sleep all day and never feel rested. Nothing appeals to you any longer.
I too have thought of self medicating – you just want the pain to stop. As a result, I no longer judge or criticize addicts. I understand that many people are hurting and are just trying to cope with the pain.
In prayer I often cry out to God for mercy, and have even gone on a fast, seeking deliverance, once and for all. It worked for while, but then the thoughts come back periodically. I’ve been on meds for over 8 years, and I don’t think they’re helping me much. I’ve also been seeing a counselor, but even that is getting old for me. I just want this lingering depression gone. I want my life back. I want to be able to look forward to things and actually enjoy life again.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. That God still loves us and is still in the delivering business. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, so this cannot be God’s will for us. This is no way to live. Christ came that we might have life, more abundantly. I believe this is an attack, in the form of a serious illness…but God is greater than depression. As he ministered to Elijah, he will rescue us too. He has the final word. I believe God will make a way. Nothing is impossible with Him on our side. Just keep fighting, don’t give up.
Mercy, the depression I suffer with (I refuse to call it “my depression”) is a carbon copy of yours, only I’m 56 so I have been suffering longer. I’ve been saved since I was 16 and, like you, do not understand why I must go through this. It has cost me relationships, jobs (I am currently on disability largely because of depression). While I have never been hospitalized, I have often prayed not to wake up and all the same thoughts you’ve explained. I’m sorry that another human being has to feel the way I do. I am utterly lonely because this monster has caused me to sleep my life away and alienate people. No one wants to be with a depressed person, it brings them down. I pray that God will answer both our prayers and heal us. This is unreal and makes me want to give up. I can’t believe I’m still able to function at any capacity. I lost EVERYTHING I worked for EXCEPT my car, which was a miracle. I had to start my whole life over again at age 55 while going through a debilitating depression. I became homeless and my family and friends were not there for me. I had to live in shelters for 18 months with no family support. My children turned their backs on me because they were embarrassed. After working as an executive assistant at various companies making very good money for over 37 years, all the while fighting depression, I am now forced to live on $1,400 a month – that is very hard when $150 of it is tithes, $700 is rent and the rest is for gas, utilities, food – you get the picture. I did not ask to be this way. I don’t understand why my heavenly Father won’t heal me. I would not let my child suffer this way, but then I am not God. God is in control of EVERYTHING. No one will ever (not in this life) be able to explain that to me. Ever. My only hope is to continue to serve Him and pray that I make it to heaven. I can’t even afford to see a good doctor. No prescription insurance. Cannot afford counselling (no, there is no free counselling). It’s a wrap from where I sit. Up all night, sleep all day. Lord, please help me!
Yes. I had being through a period of depression in my life few years after my husband passed on to glory, and today, I have overcome all depressions and I am able to live life full of His glory and power, Halleluyah.
The summary of my victory is “keeping my focus on GOD; His words concerning me;whom He is; what He has done in time past; His promises concerning my present & future;……and I kept gazing and concentrating on all these…..I just refused to see or feel what I could see or feel, I persistently focus on the TRUTH of His words & promises…….And I realised, after a while, that I began to gain confident and boldness in the words that I had believed on, and this has brought a great transformation in my daily living…….even up till today.
I hope this will challenge and encourage someone to get out of that depression state and begin to do what God says to do in His word, cause it works.
Thanks
PMW, my heart aches after reading your story. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s good to have such a place to be completely transparent without fearing critical recourse.
Although painful, I hope all of the stories will help shed some light on this subject. All too often our fellow brothers and sisters accuse us of being faithless and failing to stand on the word of God. But that’s where they are wrong. WE BELIEVE GOD! He is the “only reason” for our current existence, else we would have ended it a long time ago.
Upon reading some of the comments I came across a couple that ministered to me. It’s not that I’ve never heard them before, but this time around, they jumped up at me. In particular…
Oyinlola, shared that if we focus our energy concentrating on God’s promises, we may ultimately get a breakthrough.
Toni also suggested that we go back to God’s word again. He/she also pointed out that we cannot wipe the tears of others w/o having cried them ourselves; this is an indication of ministry to me-God has a calling on all of our lives. For such a time/ a blog as this…
Marti mentioned going back to scriptural truths and being kind to yourself. All too often I cannot stand myself and am my own worst critic. It’s time to begin loving again – me first, this time.
How about searching God’s WORD for some encouraging scriptures, jotting them down and reciting them throughout the day? If our minds are under attack, the only way to fight back is to change the thought pattern.
PMW, I’m going to pursue God with a passion for our deliverance.
You’ve pushed me to believe God more than ever before. There was something so powerful about your story that has ignited something in me. I don’t want either of us to continue living in this darkness. We shall not die, but live to declare the wonders of God. This destruction shall not endure. Today we win!
Thank you everyone for sharing. This blog was a godsend!! Thank you Gospel.com!!
Ms Mercy, PMW, Marti, Ann… I empathize with all of you. You put it all into words already, so I will not try to again.
I have, a couple of times, self-medicated with pain pills… just to NOT feel bad for a little bit. I knew what I was doing. It wasn’t an accident.
Now I am telling myself that if I do keep doing that I will eventually get addicted. One part of me doesn’t care; one part thinks I wouldn’t get addicted; one part WANTS to; and then there’s the part that wants to stay strong and depend on God.
(I believe she’s out-numbered)heh
Anyway… I stay home unless I just can’t get out of something. I have no real friends to speak of. Some that I communicate with online, through email and such. But, I think even they tire of hearing me complain.
I do have my good days, like anybody else might. Where I even go so far as to get dressed. Maybe even do laundry and/or clean the house.
But, for the most part I have cried & slept my life away. I’ve wasted a wonderful life that God gave me.
I’ve been dog paddling in a tidal wave. Searching for reason.
P.S.
by my (trying to be funny) statement: “I believe she’s outnumbered” : I didn’t mean God is a she.. I meant that my parts are each a ‘she’… since I am female.
So.. don’t get all upset with me about that.
I’ve been born again since age 13 and I am 43 now.
I totally believe in the righteous and glorious gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I don’t know WHY I suffer. Sometimes I think it is so I can be more empathetic and sympathetic with others suffering.
In any case, I do know that my Lord loves me. I just sometimes feel like He doesn’t. Even though, in my mind I KNOW He does — I just can’t FEEL it. All I can feel is that I want to curl up and sleep. Then I have days where I don’t sleep. I’m not bi-polar, as far as I know. Because I NEVER have energy like I’ve heard it described.
OK > I’ll shut up now. Thank you.
Yes i have had depression. i hurt my back the doctors stop me from working i loss everything my house wife and kids.i loss it all but i was sitting there one night and ask god to help me or that was it he came in my life 8 years ago the best thing ever god will help with depression or anything eles if we ask him .prayer and god is the way to go
yes, i also had been depressed. Stortly after i was saved i yerned for another child.I pray and soon found out i was expecting but was heart broken after a miscarriage. It hit hard emotionally and physically but prayed for the Lord to help me get over the pain and i was able to over come it. well a year after that 2nd pregnancy same thing, the following year 3rd pregnacy same thing. After the third one it hit me like a mad truck.The enemy was using this against me, to question my faith. To question God’s love for me. That’s when the depression hit and hit hard. I left the church and stay out for a year. The worst part was that my husband left me and has not returned. Now i’m back and i know that i had been blinded by selfpity and anger that I couldn’t see the plan that He had for me. Now i have a beautiful baby girl. GOD is good! Not because He gave my hearts desire but I can see Him more clearer then ever.
I have been a Christian for more than 30 years. My faith is strong and my relationship with the Lord is too. I have suffered from depression for more than 15 years. My diagnosis is Major Recurrent Depression. I am under the care of a Psychiatrist and (when I can afford it) a Christian counselor. I have taken every anti-depressant and mood stabilizer made or a combination of them. I take them for a while and they help but then in a few months the dosage has to be increased or I have to switch to another one because the medication stops working. I worked in the corporate world for Fortune 500 companies for 30 years, now I can’t balance my own checkbook or keep my doctor’s appointments straight. After a 2 year battle, I began to receive disability because I was no longer able to function well enough to hold down a job.
The reason I am responding to your question is that I want people (especially Christians) to know that you can’t possibly understand depression unless you have experienced it to the extent that you lose yourself in it and come to believe you will never find yourself again. I call it the “black abyss.†When I am drowning in it, I feel like I have invisible chains around me keeping me from getting up and taking care of my responsibilities. I can’t move. I beat myself up because I believe I am just lazy. I isolate myself from everyone, friends, family, and all people. I don’t care if my body, hair, clothes or teeth are clean. I can’t think, all my thoughts run together. I can’t make a decision, I can’t remember anything, I can’t read a book, I can’t pray—I am not a person anymore. I know that no one cares about me and no one likes me anymore. I am afraid my husband will get so frustrated with me that he will leave me alone. And I can’t make myself stop by using will power. I do believe in cognitive behavioral therapy and I do practice it to the extend I am able.
I am tired of people saying that Christians should not be depressed; they should be full of joy and of people who say that everybody has times when they feel blue.
I say all of this to make these points: Christians can suffer from depression because it is an illness just like heart disease or diabetes. The reason God has not healed those of us still suffering is because He has chosen not to. God always answers prayer; however, His answer is one of 3: yes, no or not now. His answer when Paul prayed to have the thorn removed from his side was, “My grace is sufficient.†Please don’t make judgments about something you don’t understand. The reason I have not been healed is NOT because my faith is not strong enough. I know that God will use me to help others who are suffering the way I have suffered, His Word tells me that and I believe it.
Also, I would like those Christians who quote the verses in 1 Peter 2:23-25 “by His stripes we are healed†to go back and read that verse in context. Peter is speaking about our sins being healed by Christ’s crucifixion, not about physical ailments being healed.
“When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.†1 Peter 2:23-25
Cindy…
I knew other people suffered but I had no idea it was almost exactly the same. Somedays are worse than others…but you described me very well.
I am having a good ‘season’ right now — the last few days have been ok. I’ve been getting out of the house every day to go to my Mother’s.
But, of course, I know that a nose dive is just around the corner.
But — maybe not…maybe I’ve been healed!
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Julie…I am praying if you have not seen a psychiatrist (not your family doctor), that you will. My family doctor tried to help me by prescribing antidepressants but when they didn’t help, he told me I needed to see someone who SPECIALIZES in medication for depression — a psychiatrist. Your words worry me. I hear the pain in them and I know you need outside help. I beg you, if you have insurance, find out if a psychiatrist is on the list of approved doctors, call a friend or a family member and have them take you. If you can’t get an appointment, go to the emergency room. I’m not kidding. Tell them exactly how you feel. If they suggest you go into the hospital (yes, a mental health facility), GO!!! I’ve been there, done that, and that is why I’m alive today. Don’t kid yourself by thinking, I’m not that bad. If you have no more hope of ever getting better, you need help to realize that is not true!!! You can live with depression, I’m living proof. Sleeping the life God gave you away is not good. With the right meds and maybe counseling, you can have more good days than bad. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will carry these words to your heart and give you the energy and determination to get help. God loves you so much, He has your name written in the palm of His hand. He knows the number of hairs on your head. Don’t give up. Never give up.
depression anger…
Your topic Action Against Violence ” Blog Archive ” PREDICTING WORKPLACE … was interesting when I found it on Thursday searching for depression anger…
My youngest daughter is battling depression, an eating disorder and high expectations for herself! It is causing her to go deeper into self distructive things and terrible thoughts of her destruction! She had thought if she went away to college almost across the country she find what peace and her joy! It has made things worse but she doesn’t see it. She has had to go into the hospital twice and is currently there now. Her Dad and I are living in fear that everytime the phone rings! My husband is having chest pains but only panic attacks…I can’t sleep. We have been praying and reading scriptures. I have been up numerous nights crying out to God that He will just reach down and heal her and release her from the affliction and pain so she can have a happy joyful and fulling life! My husband says he said why would she want to destroy herself when her life has just begun? She internalize and I gingerly try to tell her release it all and ask Jesus to Cover it all! Please help us pray for her FULL Healing and Joy! Thanks
When I was 11, I became quite manic. My moods were either higher than Cloud Nine, or lower than a Snake’s Belly. (Whack!! Thunk!!) I thought it was normal. I’ve always been quite extremely shy. I was so shy that it truly hurt.
It wasn’t until 1985 that I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression.
Some nurses ask me why I was prescribed Nortriptilin(?). It did overcome the the Thunk, but there was very little upswing to it. I tried to be grateful for the lack of the Thunk, but it was a Wearisome Thing.
Then, I was on Zoloft,(?) which was worse than Nothing.
I’ll never Know if it was one Serious Attack, or a group of Attacks, one after the other. I tried to get into the Psychiatric Ward, because of the Attacks of Depression and Panic attacks, and because I lost my way in a familiar neighborhood. I kept walking until I found a Public Place, and got directions home.
Now, I am on Lexapro. I am able to experience the Joy of the Lord. The Joy of the Lord is My Strength. I could never experience without the Knowledge and Grace that the Good Lord gives to the Practicing Physicians.
I am in a good Church. People understand that Depression is more than “Thinking Positive”. People take medicine for Diabetes, Heart Disease and Epilepsy. Depression can be Controlled in this World.
I have suffered from chronic (low grade/dysthymia) depression for close to 20 years (am now 42). I find little enjoyment from life, just going through the motions and everything is a huge effort. Fatigue everyday usually leading to three hour naps. I pray to our Father everyday that He would either deliver me from or through this illness. I know He has a purpose in it and try to stay connected with Him and other people as much as possible, but it is very hard!
Wanted to share a book I just finished that was very theraputic for me: “Shoot the Damn Dog,” by Sally Bramptom, is a memoir of her depression. I’ve never read anything like it, very raw and honest disclosure of what it’s like to be clinically depressed, with many suggestions of things to try that worked for her. I find sometimes the thing that helps me most is knowing that someone else understands what you are going through…really, and reading this book helped with that.
Blessings to all who are going through trials with depression.
Although I am only a teenager I too have suffered from depression. I have suffered this since I was just a little girl. Sometimes its so hard for me I dont even talk all day. When I am at my worst I remind myself that in life we are all going to fall down. This can be good for us depending on whether we learn from it or not. For all of you who suffer from this also I would just like to say your not alone! Even though there is times when we all feel so alone, just rember throughout it all God alwayse has your back!
I was with my partner for 5 years and it has been the most heart-breaking experience of my life. When I met her she was amazing. she mentioned she suffered from depression but I didn’t take it seriously. Two years after we were together she tells me out of the blue that she needs “space.” It was down hill the next three years. She was hospitalized and it’s like she was never the same again.
She was constantly confused about her feelings for me and said she felt great love for me and then followed by doubts and confusion. It was back and forth, on/off for the next three years. She e-mailed other people, she went out on two dates with someone else, and basically betrayed my trust. Now, she says she wants to see me (we have been broken up for 10 months now) and I realized I cannot take it anymore.
I loved her more than anything…..I can look back at the experience and say that the rewards are far fewer than the pain. I would not go through this again….