It's so tough to struggle with anxiety and depression...

You're not alone there, I can understand with the shopping as well but unfortunately that is only a temporary fix. I don't have any fantastic advice to give apart from keep with your faith and know ur not alone with ur problems.

yeah...i understand the feeling pretty well...you know...i don't really understand the whole thing...I don't understand WHY he allows us to feel this way...I don't know why he doesn't make HIS people feel better and be healthy and happy...I'm really not sure. But remember...he doesn't like pain, he isn't sending you this depression and anxiety, it isn't his doing...he loves you and feels your pain. It's not that he can't heal you...maybe there is something necessary to gain from this...I know that my depression and anxiety taught me immense amounts of things...but there could be a mind set change that needs to happen, a new level to be reached. Try meditation and just focusing on the love of God, try going to a pentacostal church one day, pray for others in a group weekly...try new things centered around God....learn more and experience more...I think it could help. It's helped me a lot.

Oh...and I only mention pentacostal because a lot of people think their just wackjobs, benny hinn wierdos falling on the ground shaking and screaming all the time...but I've seen some amazing stuff come out of this kind of belief. I think that the methodist have one piece, the catholics have another, the pentacostals have something, and so on...every different church and style has something that is right for christiainity and belief in God, but it never comes together. Experiencing other types of churches can really help you to see God in new ways. it's been a life changing experience for me and I understand God in a much fuller way that I did when I was just going to a methodist church. now I go to both, one on friday nights and one on sunday mornings...it's really neat. The friday night service is with the pentacostals and it's all just worship and experiencing the love God and the power of the holy spirit while sunday mornings at the methodist church of my family is where I hear the bible read and taught...so it's a real cool mix.

Last November my anxiety and panic attacks started to get worse and worse. Then for 5 months after that came depression. I know how it feels. It seriously is the worst feeling in the world. But the good that came out of it was It brought me closer to my faith. Keep praying and be patient. It will get better!!! Something that helped me was cognitive behavioral therapy...pay attention to your thoughts, replace bad ones with good ones. Good Luck to you and God bless!!!!

Do Christian therapists use cognitive behavior therapy or is that a strictly secular thing? I may need to look into this myself as I also suffer GAD(self-diagnosed)

I go sorta get what you mean. Shopping is like one of the main things I look forward to doing every week. If I didn't have a chance to go out then I'd be shopping online. I never realised it was a problem until my sister and a friend pointed it out to me. I would spend all my money just like that and alot of the time I wouldn't have much to show for it. Most of the things that I buy are gifts for other people. I buy things for people and then get annoyed when they start expecting things from me, but I know I brought it on myself. I have so much clothes and shoes and jewellery that just sit at home because none of it is what I would usually wear but when I'm out shopping I pretty much just grab whatever gets my attention and when I get home I wonder what made me get it. I wish I could help you and give you some advice, but I'm still clueless on the matter. But I pray that you find the help that you need. This site is so awesome though aye, I wish I had found it earlier.
Goodluck

Linda1010 said:

I am a born again christian, and i suffer from depression and panic attacks, been struggling with this for years. I am trying with all my heart to be better, and i trust God. But sometimes i feel so sad, the only thing that comforts me tho it sounds stupid, is shopping. I dont spend a lot, but just buying myself something or doing my pedicure makes me feel better. Do anybody here go through something like this?

I always asked Jesus to heal me, but i dont see healing. But i love Him and trust Jesus anyways.
My brother use to tease me because i suffered from this, he thought i was a cry baby, until he got diagnosed with that too.
Now he apologized to me and he tells me this is so hard.
Please pray for me...
http://www.myspace.com/lindagmartinez:o

Click to expand...

Sweetheart, i understand how u feel, im a Christian too, and i have bad panic attacks, and depression, due to my health issues, and the fact i cannot work, and im 29 and still at home. Im on medicines to help with my anxiety, crying spells, and anxiety, they do get better. Do u have a doctor ? I thought medicine would be a bad thing, but it helps me not to cry uncontrollably! Dont let anyone put u down for it. One thing i struggle with some is guilt, but know its not ur falt. Ill keep u in my prayers, your not alone, and if u ever want to u can talk to me

Linda1010 said:

I am a born again christian, and i suffer from depression and panic attacks, been struggling with this for years. I am trying with all my heart to be better, and i trust God. But sometimes i feel so sad, the only thing that comforts me tho it sounds stupid, is shopping. I dont spend a lot, but just buying myself something or doing my pedicure makes me feel better. Do anybody here go through something like this?

I always asked Jesus to heal me, but i dont see healing. But i love Him and trust Jesus anyways.
My brother use to tease me because i suffered from this, he thought i was a cry baby, until he got diagnosed with that too.
Now he apologized to me and he tells me this is so hard.
Please pray for me...

Click to expand...

Hi Linda, I'm a newly born again Christian myself. I turned to Christ after he cured me of my anxiety that I've been suffering with for almost my whole life. Life was miserable because of the depression and anxiety. God came to me and cured me which is why I'm forever grateful and have turned my life to him. My girlfriend and family think it's a miracle that I've lost my anxiety. I do too. But I know that it's one of God's great miracles for me. Keep your prayers strong and God will answer in time!