depression

[EvangeliGirl]

"Were you ever in a new trouble, one which was so strange that you felt that a similar trial had never happened to you, and, moreover, you dreamt that such a temptation had never assailed anybody else? I should not wonder if that was the thought of your troubled heart. And did you ever walk out upon that lonely desert island upon which you were wrecked, and say, "I am alone,--alone--, ALONE,--nobody was ever here before me"? And did you suddenly pull up short as you noticed, in the sand, the footprints of a man? I remember right well paaing through that experience; and when I looked, lo! it was not merely the footprints of a man that I saw, but I thought I knew whose feet had left those imprints; they were the marks of One who had been crucified, for there was the print of the nails. So I thought to myself, "If he has been here, it is a desert island no longer. As His blessed feet once trod this wilderness-way, it blossoms now like the rose, and it becomes to my troubled spirit as a very garden of the Lord." (CH Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 47 [1901]: 169).

"great hearts can only be made by great troubles" (Spurgeon, The New Park Street Pulpit 1 [1855]: 98)

"I would go into the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary." (Spurgeon)

Whether depression results from sin, affliction, or trials, Christ never seeks to condemn us for our pain. He begs for us to come to the cross and receive healing.

(All quotes are taken from the book: 'Bright Days/Dark Nights by Elizabeth Skoglund, based around the blessed works of Charles Hadden Spurgeon, a highly recommended read.)

 

[Kristi1]

Sometimes Depression can be brought on by Circumstances in ones life..

Loosing my daddy in 2003, my home, my income, the list goes on and on.... This is Depressing to me!

[bible]Matthew 7:1-5[/bible]



KristiAnn
MsGuidedAngel

 

[If Not For Grace]

Whether depression results from sin, affliction, or trials, Christ never seeks to condemn us for our pain. He begs for us to come to the cross and receive healing.

EXCELLENT--that's the point there is hope and and END to be had.
When someone tries to bring you out of depression, they are trying to help you manage your pain.

 

[heffalump_hunter]

Happy birthday EvangeliGirl

I just wanted to mention I'm feeling a bit blue these days. If anyone could please say a prayer for me I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to get in better shape these days as well as the doc is bugging me about my blood pressure and cholesterol so I'm eating better, but sometimes that isn't enough. I always prefer to turn to prayer and lean on Christ.

 

[EvangeliGirl]

Happy birthday EvangeliGirl

I just wanted to mention I'm feeling a bit blue these days. If anyone could please say a prayer for me I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to get in better shape these days as well as the doc is bugging me about my blood pressure and cholesterol so I'm eating better, but sometimes that isn't enough. I always prefer to turn to prayer and lean on Christ.

Thank you! Happy Birthday to you too!

Check out my journal,"Voice Cry Out...", read/pray the second entry. I hope it helps!

PM me when you need more prayer!

 

[one way]

Depression is basically where you look at everything in a negative way. Asking for God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, as well as trying to look at things in a positive way (even if the bad outweighs the good). This also helps if you are angry. I have never felt the need to shout at someone in anger, as a result of trying to be optimistic sometimes.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Everyone goes through periods of depression, mostly what we need are coping skills. Regardless of the circumstances that brought about the depression, (situational, imbalance, self-pity, anger) IT CAN BE MANAGED and without "maintenance" drugs...That's the good news.

 

[nick_da_dude98]

Wow... those are a lot of good things... I "suffered" (and still do sort of) from depression for the last 3 years... I turned to cutting, which, in it's own way, it DID help. Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting it, I think it's stupid, but it did help. It took away all that emotional pain by being able to concentrate on physical pain, it was a way to get away from it all, even if it was only temporarily. Over the past 2 years, I found myself resorting to the blade more and more, eventually giving me over 300 scars, which, thank God, most of them have almost completely dissappeared. I tried to be happy, and I tried to move one, but it seemed that for every step I took forward, I took 2 backwards. I tried to pray, but found that I couldn't. I needed to get right with the Lord, and to trust in him to make things better, and I knew that, I just didn't know how, or want to. I finally turned to my friends, who I love and trust infinitely. Some were more accepting than others, but overall they all have helped, and still are, helping me to overcome the bad things in life that bring a christian down. I have since realized that there are other ways to channel my anger, and to use that energy for good. I have taken up acting, and I love it! I feel that the Lord is giving me something to use for his glory, and when acting, it gives me a chance to forget all the bad things in life, and to concentrate on helping people, and making them laugh. There are a lot more things that I would post, but I haven't the time right now. But I agree with dyanm that you don't need drugs to overcome depression. Live life to the fullest! Les Quiero ~Nick

 

[Alive again]

I don't have time to read this entire thread, but will come back to it later. If anyone is interested in PM about depression, would be glad to respond as i have dealt with depression to some degree for 30 years now, worse at times and fine at others. Would be happy to talk if anyone is interested. Will check back later and read the entire thread.

 

[OrthodoxTexan]

Something interesting I have been looking at recently with regards to depression is that the rate of depression has been increasing rapidly since the turn of the 20th century. Many factors are likely at play here, but one thing that is often overlooked is diet and exercise. Epidemiological studies have shown that depression is less common among people who consume high amounts of fish, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Our western diet is way overloade with Omega-6's, which screw up the omega6/omega3 ratio. The average western diet provides and omega6/omega3 ratio of 20:1, whereas most researchers believe that a 1:1 ratio is ideal.

Why are fatty acids important? A significant amount of our brain is made up of fatty acids, and they influence the way that membrane bound neurotransmitter receptors that are involved with things like emotions operate. Some clinical data suggest that supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids (ie fish oil), especially EPA, may have an antidepressant effect. Now, most of the studies have been add-on trials with people already on antidepressants, but still having residual symptoms, but EPA suppplmentation may be beneficial to some extent as a monotherapy. In addition fish oils lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of CV mortality. So maybe something to try if you aren't keen on "medications".



People who have not experienced depression simply cannot understand it. Depression is not "blues", or just "feeling down". It is an all encompassing psychobiological disorder that affects many domains of function. Appetite, sleep, energy, motivation, interest, concentration, and other domains can all be grossly retarded in a depressed individual. Some people can pick themselves up out of it, some can get out of it without medication and formal counseling, others are not so lucky.

Don't be afraid to seek professional help.

 

[Beta Bernie]

I have a friend who has depression (medical). I just try to be silly around him. It's what I'm good at, lightening the mood... =P

 

[Hot Singer]

Is it even working? forreal though if he is in a sad mood Then pray he gets better and is Happy.

 

[If Not For Grace]

one thing that is often overlooked is diet and exercise

AMEN

 

[Beth1231]

A verse in Proverbs says that anxiety causes the heart to be depressed.....

 

[If Not For Grace]

Research still indicates ANGER is at the base. Be it anger of a disappointment type,(promotion passover, chiildren not living the way we would like) anger of loss (divorce, death) internalized anger (self esteem-I'm fat, no good, ugly) situational anger (Acts of War, Nataural disasters).

Even those with chemical imbalances NEED COPING SKILLS and outlets or the anger/depression can become chronic. BUT THE DIET/EXERICSE is an OFTEN underplayed and overlooked contributor.

 

[pegatha]

Everyone goes through periods of depression, mostly what we need are coping skills. Regardless of the circumstances that brought about the depression, (situational, imbalance, self-pity, anger) IT CAN BE MANAGED and without "maintenance" drugs...That's the good news.

I agree, although I also think that if the depression is severe, it may take medication to lift you out of the initial phase and get you stabilised so you can work on those coping skills. I praise God that there are medications that can do just that. However, I believe it's best if those medications are only used for the shortest possible time. After all, they do have side effects. About the diet and exercise: a recent study found that exercise is as effective as chemical antidepressants in some people, providing you work out at around 70%-85% of your maximum heart rate for a total of three hours a week. I think as a long-term "treatment," exercise is definitely the way to go, but I wouldn't overlook medication as a means of jump-starting the whole process, especially in severe cases. (Not that you said that, Dyan; I'm not trying to read anything into your words or argue with you. I'm just talking about my own experiences.)

 

[If Not For Grace]

I could not agree with you more. MEDS are a start, but they are not the answer any more than rest is the cure for a bad back. It may help, but it is not the ENTIRE answer, and long term meds can do more harm than good. I am in favor of short term medication to get someone over a hump, till "real" treatment (LONG TERM) can be implemented.