Depression

[mjhgecko]

Hello, I am 27 years old and am dealing with the deepest depression of my life. Although I have had many struggles in life I have never felt so defeated. I really don’t know how to deal with it. I do not have health insurance and don’t know if I can afford medication. I am a believer but most of the time god feels very far a way and indifferent. It’s really hard for me to see anything positive in life. I have lost interest in everything around me. I sometimes have mental images of suicide. Is all I really feel like doing is drinking my self into oblivion. I tried to check out some AA meetings because for a few days I would wake up drink pass out and do it over again. I could not continue with them because, If I wanted to listen to losers with bad theology I would join the Unity Church. I just don’t have the energy to fight it much longer.

 

[Lena75]

Hello there. Here's a link that might help you as there is a Depression forum here. http://www.christianforums.com/f393-depression.html. Hope this helps. God bless!

 

[madison1101]

I have gotten sober using AA. Their theology does not bother me, because I know who my God is and Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing can separate me from the love of God.

When you are able to stop drinking, your depression will lift. Maybe you could try a rehab.

Madison

 

[SquareC]

Hello, I am 27 years old and am dealing with the deepest depression of my life. Although I have had many struggles in life I have never felt so defeated. I really don’t know how to deal with it. I do not have health insurance and don’t know if I can afford medication. I am a believer but most of the time god feels very far a way and indifferent. It’s really hard for me to see anything positive in life. I have lost interest in everything around me. I sometimes have mental images of suicide. Is all I really feel like doing is drinking my self into oblivion. I tried to check out some AA meetings because for a few days I would wake up drink pass out and do it over again. I could not continue with them because, If I wanted to listen to losers with bad theology I would join the Unity Church. I just don’t have the energy to fight it much longer.

If you are looking for anti-depressant medication and can't afford it (I know it can be unreasonably expensive) after you go to the doctor and find a good medication (they will usually give you samples to test) then go to the manufacturer's website, they will usually have a program for people who cannot afford their medicines for essential medications like anti-depressants.

 

[Lutherrunner]

Do you have access to some type of government MHMR clinic? or something with a sliding scale?

 

[madison1101]

Another suggestion would be to read the book "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns. You might be able to find it in the library. It is a terrific book that helps you work through some of the thinking that accompanies depression. I bought it for my son last winter when he was really depressed. He read it and said it really helped him. He didn't go to therapy.

Also, I suggest you think about finding a social support network. Some churches offer groups for people with problems with drinking. My church does. But, if you cannot find a church group, try to find an AA meeting where there is talk of recovery, not drinking. I have been to hundreds of meetings. Some were good, positive, growth oriented discussions. Others were people whining about their drinking.

I work in a mental health facility where I counsel people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who also have addictions. My clients attend AA and NA meetings. They are working through their problems using the social support of the people who live in the facility and the 12 step rooms. Help is available for you.

People in AA are not a bunch of losers. They are trying to help themselves stay sober by reaching out and helping others. Their philosophy is they can't keep their sobriety if they don't reach out to newcomers.

I hope you are able to get sober and that your depression lifts.

 

[HisKnight]

I know exactly what you are feeling about depression.
A few years ago I was struggling mightly against depression and also was losing.
It was so bad that I even turned against my family and did not want to have anything to do with them.
I would just go through the motions at church. I often sat in church during the services and just was in a daze not even hearing what was preached or talked about.
I got lucky in that one of the Sunday School teachers we had was a psychiatrist that though was not on my insurance recommended one that was. But then after only a few times of going God chose to close that avenue and so the therapy was never completed.
Yet some how God was able to get through to me and bring me out of the depression.
I had many people praying for me not only my family but also friends.
The friends did not know what they were praying for me for. I was unable to even share with them what the need was.
I will keep you in my prayers.
The God's word does say We Know that all things work together for the good of them that are the called of the Lord.

 

[creep]

thats heavy man.i know i went through some hard times, just sitting there, one day becoming the next, stayn up late and just grinding myself away.
What i have always found has brought me through is a passion of some sort. you know, something to do each day. not school or work, something enjoyable. i took up writing for a while, art and photography and music too. sometimes it's just a simple case of finding something to chanel your energy into. unless it is acually something specific that is making you so sad, then you need to find out what it is and fix it, or learn to live with it.
Listen, all i can say is good luck man, and that i speak for everybody here when i say that if you ever want some advice, or even just somebody to talk/argue with, were only an e-mail away.

 

[white dove]

I apologize in advance if the post below is anything like the flawed theology you were talking about in your first post (hopefully, holding hands & singing 'lean on me' aren't the first things that come to mind when you read it, heh)



although that song is pretty good, if you ask me...

 

[white dove]

Hello, I am 27 years old and am dealing with the deepest depression of my life. Although I have had many struggles in life I have never felt so defeated. I really don’t know how to deal with it. I do not have health insurance and don’t know if I can afford medication. I am a believer but most of the time god feels very far a way and indifferent. It’s really hard for me to see anything positive in life. I have lost interest in everything around me. I sometimes have mental images of suicide. Is all I really feel like doing is drinking my self into oblivion. I tried to check out some AA meetings because for a few days I would wake up drink pass out and do it over again. I could not continue with them because, If I wanted to listen to losers with bad theology I would join the Unity Church. I just don’t have the energy to fight it much longer.

You've been receiving some good advice here, Mike (yes, I am snoopy & I've read your three other posts, so I know that's your name.... )....but to get all spiritual on you...

You'd mentioned that you'd been feeling that God has been distant from you...I'm not sure how long you've been a Christian, Mike but.....in actuality, we tend to be the ones who distance ourselves from Him..not saying that it is impossible to feel 'far' from God in any real sense b/c that is entirely possible & it does happen (just as it is obviously happening to you now). For me, personally, those times in my life when I've felt that God was nowhere near me or when I've just felt an incredible, spiritual void in my life was when I was either not doing as I should've been (which is to say, growing in my faith by reading the Word on a regular, in-depth basis..and by getting into prayer ~in-depth as well as the 'shooter/bullet' prayers during the day & by fellowshipping with my fellow brothers & sisters in Christ in Bible studies n' such..) or when I was (to put it bluntly) living in sin.
Man, I know what it's like to feel such depression b/c things just seem to be falling apart all around you...and it hurts even more when it feels like God is not even there for us...but that is a lie. God is always there for us. And though we may not feel His presence at times, we must seek Him all the more. Might I suggest John 14:15-31:

[Bible]John 14:15-31[/Bible]

I'm not sure the specifics in your case, but like creep said, we're here for you if you'd like to *talk* about it...if not, that's fine as well~it is entirely up to you. But, please remember that in our walk, there come times of drought..times of trial..and times of walking through the fire. There's an awesome verse (that I really really wish I could find for you right now...) that says something like: There come times in our lives when we're faced with fire...we are promised that it will not {kill} us but neither will it kindle upon us. So, in other words, sometimes we have to walk through the 'fire,' even though it may hurt at the time (as the flame does not kindle upon our presence), but it will surely not destroy us. Please refrain from the suicidal thoughts, though, Mike~you are very precious to the Lord...and to us all!! keep the faith, Mike. You are a strong man of Christ, who may have been through alot, but who also has (I'm sure) learned alot from those tough times..if it were not so, you would not have blessed this world with your presence for 27 years.. God bless you, man...