depression

[* kittie *]

can a christian have depression?  or is it just thinking that something is wrong with you, when in actuality, you're just sad at the moment?

i'm not sure if i'm overreacting...cuz obviously with my brother, he thinks i am.  like when i told him that i missed the old days and that i was really sad about it, he told me to get over it.  not those exact words...but something like that.  i don't really remember what he said.

my mom says that with God, i shouldn't be depressed for too long.  and i know that, but i'm still struggling.  i even feel guilty for it now.  but she also says that everyone is sad at some time...but i feel that it's more than that with me.

other friends never seem to listen, so i don't know what they think about this.  all i know is that i've tried to talk to people about problems, but they acted like no christian was supposed to have a bad day.  actually, i was told this.  "why are you having a bad day? i never have a bad DAY".

i think i have a problem with eating.  and if you wanna call it a ED...fine.  but my mom thinks that it's normal for me to worry a lot about my weight...all the time.  so...i'm not sure if it's normal.  i'm not even sure how much normal people think about eating food AND not wanting food.  but all i know is that it's driving me insane.

i don't know...i feel like i have a problem, and i don't know what to do about it.  like i have no motivation at this point, whatsoever.  i have SO much homework to do, as far as studying goes, and i can't concentrate at all.  and it's frustrating me, cuz my grades in two of my classes are low - cuz it requires me to memorize and all that stuff.  and i can't do that. 

on top of that, i don't feel like i can say anything about my problems, cuz the people around me act like it's all normal. or that i'll get over it soon. 

finally, in a way, i'm ashamed sometimes, so i don't want to talk about it with anyone i know.  my spiritual life is at a halt right now, and i feel bad.  but at the same time, i feel so weak that i don't wanna do anything about it.  i don't know...

 

[unitedistand]

blue, yes a christian can have depression, perhaps though, you may need to seek deliverance from it? I know that a lot of the times, depression can be as much as a spiritual oppression, even posession, which is easy to take care of, you just need to find a person who knows about deliverance and is expierienced in it.

but, let me tell ya something, beyond all ya should feel, get into worship more.  I know from personal expierience how difficult it can be a times, but when feelings aren't always up, that's where your faith and your committment to Christ come into testing, and trying, and strengthening.  I shall keep you in my prayers.

By the way, I suffered depression for 10 years.  I know what it's like

 

[reeann]

Blue, yes Christians have problems Yes its possible to have depression. Sometimes depression can be chemically related. The other symptoms you described tell me that you should seek the help of someone (Pastor, Chrsitian Counseling) who is sympathetic to your faith; and has the objectivity to help you define your problem.  Those we love and who love us most just want us to 'get over things'. Sometimes, in our past, we have been hit by emotional Mack Trucks.  Our loved ones think we should just "get over it" like its something we can control. If the person literally was run over by a mack truck and lived, they would give you your lifetime and not complain about your limp.   Someone in this forum reminded me recently that Jesus loves you in your broken condition. He just wants you with Him. With prayer, unconditional support of family, and the help of an objective person qualified to deal with issues that might be the source of your pain. (i.e., for some it might be they were abused as a child; others a death of a lvoed one...etc.) Jesus will give you beauty for ashes.

Jesus can use others to help mend us. When we accept Christ, sometimes there are things that we are instantly delivered from (this was true for me) yet there were other things that still seem to have a stronghold in your life. Its like, you wake up and you know your saved, but you look around your life and your heart and there is all this debris from your past life to deal with.

there is NOTHING wrong with you, plenty of people suffer from these symptoms. You are still loved of God. Certainly, God can deliver you instantly from this. Other times, God wants us to take small steps of faith at a time, teaching us a lessons along the way for thepurpose of some work He has for us at a later date.

We can believe that Jesus will turn our sorrows into Joy, but where we go wrong is to think that it shoudl always be an "instant" process.

I will be praynig for you today.

 

[Gunny]

Originally posted by blueiverson
can a christian have depression

God has allowed me to work with individuals suffering from addiction both Christian and non-Christian over the course of the last 17-18 years. I have witnessed many people suffering from depression. I view depression as a mental health issue that is caused by physiological causation. I know many Christians view depression soley as a demonic spirit causation. I have no disagreement with fellow Christians I just view depression more of a health problem that if left untreated has signs and symptoms and a pathology.

I believe that when sin entered into the world all sickness, mental, physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological came into play. Mankind's fallen nature brings bodily death through countless affliction and disease.

Can God deliver one from any affliction if He so chooses? Praise be to God, most definitely!

Do I believe God is the true source of modern medicine that reduces untold suffering be it physical or mental health? Most assuredly, Praise be to God!

All good things come from above.

Do I believe that individuals that truly suffer from clinical major depression and all its signs and symptoms can benefit from phramacology by a learned practicioner prescribing anti-depressant medication? Yes, most definitely, Praise be to God!

Do I believe that if one suffering from severe major depression being treated with the utilization of medication has a lack of faith, thus the true cause of the depression ? No, and No.

I have seen people been told by well meaning Christians that they don't need medication for depression, just deliverence and slain by the Spirit.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen sometimes this way for I believe it does.

I don't believe that this holds true for every Christian that suffers from clinical depression.

I believe in all the gifts of the Spirit but I also believe God has provided the art of medicine to reduce the suffering of His children.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

It sounds like you're surrounded by people who don't understand depression. That's frustrating. I've learned that you can't really understand it till you go through it, or realize first hand what it is.
Yes I believe Christians can be depressed. Depression is very real. I believe it is a tool of satan. I finally went to a counselor. I wish I had done it 10 or 12 years ago.
You are not over reacting and there is nothing to be ashamed of.

If you've got a cold, you go to the doctor.
I hate depression. You can fight depression. Don't live with it. Depression is an enemy that wants to hurt you. Don't put up with it. Beat it. Beat it into the ground.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Wow, gunnysgt hit the nail on the head.

I'm posting again cause I read your WHOLE post.

Here are some things you can do right now...
Eat well if you haven't been. Plenty of veggies.
Go to bed at a decent hour.
Get up at a decent hour. Too much sleep is not good for this at all.
Resist the desire to take naps.
Get some form of light exercise every day. If anything, take a walk.
DO something constructive every day even if it is just taking out a small bag of trash to the dumpster or doing the dishes.
It feels really good to do something good, even if it's just something small.

Hang in there.

 

[GodOwnsMe]

mhhh.... even if the people around you won't understand, God does. Keep talking to him, give him all of your sadness and everything that is bothering you.................I mean just trust Him to make thinks work out, to heal and comfort you and ask Him what to do & how to deal with stuff.

ha I know it's no always this easy to really trust Him...I'm actually good at school but wow I can be very perfectionistic sometimes and feel 'guilty' just frustrated about like not getting my homework done......
don't let this stuff drive you mad......
what's been helping me is to just do your work because you love him......like
it's really not that bad when you won't do perfect........ last time I was feeling pretty pushed and just not well God's so been 'helping me with my homework'..I mean to me that's like the stuff you 'can't really imagine' I mean like why would God be helping me with that. But he can and does when you need it always right on time

also the eating thing. God loves you no matter how much you weigh, or what you look like. My weight is completely normal but I used to be pretty thin and need to tell that to myself ......ask God to help you realize that in your heart and rely on Him
hehe I often actually have to be careful to not eat just to feel better.......so
I'm also 'just' eating cause I love God (well okay that's my concept )
means........eat the stuff your body needs.....keep it healthy and ask God for wisdom regarding this..

oh theres a cool song that's just been touching me when I wasn't feeling well..I know it sounds 'too easy' but you're problems are not too big for GOD
it goes
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain

I'm laying them down
for the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord,
yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord,
Amen !

I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted not abandoned,
struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure
that His joy's gonna be my strength.
Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning

(I think someone from this board has this in their sig but it's cool so: )
don't tell God how big your storm is
(I mean sure..definately tell him about your problems )
tell your storm how big God is ..
it's not like Christians have no problems..they just have an allmighty and loving who is bigger than all this God carrying them thru !!

don't be ashamed......asking God to give the people around you love, understanding, wisdom and the right words for you................God Bless & have a good day *hugs*

 

[NCxj90]

I dont know what to say but i feel the same way about everything as Blue does.....its like im fighting a losing battle

I do got one lil thing that i could add to make it a lil more difficult...and thats a girl that dumped me, says that i just need to move on (after 2 months) and she says i dont need to cry and all this stuff.....just makes it seem like she never cared or even really mattered to her.

Sorry for jumping in this thread.....
I went to a Shrink they didnt say i was depressed but i know i am....I know its hard to live everyday as a happy one....i just cant do it b/c nothing will let me.

 

[* kittie *]

thanx you all...i'm just afraid to ask for any kind of clinical help...cuz then i'll be the "weird" one in the family. my mom always talks about how she meets people who are oppressed, when she goes on mission trips...and i don't want her to know that i might fall into that category. mmm...church was really good today, and i feel better for now. but i fear that i will fall again, like i always do. i've overcome much more difficult things...but this "seems" more impossible. like i'm sad for no reason sometimes. but thanx for all the encouragements and replies.

 

[unitedistand]

Blue, just pray that God will help ya out, Don't be worried about your sin, rather when you sin, just confess it before the father in the name of Jesus and repent of it and ask for forgiveness.

Perfect love casts out all fear. When your spiritual walk with Christ becomes a crawl, just know that Jesus is still with you.

 

[NCxj90]

Yeah...it is hard being the weird one of the family, i wish u luck and be happy. I stay sad and i dont know why sometimes...right now i can understand why but sometimes i just get down and im like why am i like this why cant i just be happy for what i have in life that so many ppl do....its not i really want more its just it doesnt make me happy or i cant do it anymore (4wheeling b/c its broke)

 

[reeann]

Blue, please tell you mother, she might struggle with it too and just not tell you

 

[* kittie *]

i've talked to her about my problems...but she said that everyone deals with it. and the time i opened up to her was the same time that she found out about the stuff my brother was doing...
and so after i was crying for a while, she asked me if my worries was the worst thing to me...as if i should care more about my brother. i do care about him, which makes me even more depressed, cuz i'm worried about some of the choices he's making while i'm worried about my own problems. but at the same time, she was in a way saying that he was more important than my depression. and that really made me sad again. it's like she's saying that my depression isn't bad enough to care about. this goes back to the statement she made about "everyone deals with it". she just doesn't understand what i'm going through, and i doubt she ever will. she just doesn't think that anyone can be depressed. maybe sad for a day or so...but not completely depressed.

 

[NCxj90]

Man im sorry to hear that....I cant judge ur mom at all but sounds like she isnt so happy go lucky either.  Im sure alot of ppl battle depression and lead very happy lives.  I just cant seem to do it...i just let lil things bother me.  I just dont have the feeling to really go outside and see ppl i lost alot of trust in some of them in the last week. 

Blue this is our thread....its really letting me talk and i also hear things that bother ppl too.

Thanks for listening folks....i just need to let things out sometimes (most of the time) and hear that life will be ok no matter what happens

 

[* kittie *]

the problem is that my mom is TOO happy (actually, not a real problem). she feels that life is easy. and i'm sure it is for her. she overcame a lot with God...but i still fall now and then. so i think it's a bigger problem than a simple sadness.

 

[NCxj90]

yeah my mom seems to be pretty happy....i miss the time with just me and her (old days)....i was talking about that to some ppl the other day about the old days and how fun and easy it was...and happy i was at the time.

I struggle alot with things everyday.....my mom did make a point that sometimes if she sits around all day she gets sad b/c she didnt do anything today but the days she stays busy she is alot happier

 

 

[daughter of the king]

stop worrying about your brother, this may sound really harsh but someone gave me the same advice stop thinking and worrying about him because it will stress you out more. you probable don't need anything more to worry about, i used to worry and get upset about my sis and bro but now i have learn't to try and leave them, not to think about them and how i could help etc. yes still care about them and love them but don't let his problems become yours. don't let them upset you if you are depressed you don't need anymore problems.
this probable doesn't make anysence
hang in there. <<<<<<<<hugs>>>>>>>>
love ya i will pray
lizzie

 

[lil_god_lova]

ok i had depresssion for a few months last year and ten again this year. my mum thinks it could be sad (seasonal affective disorder) what means i get sadand depressed around the end of winter. ok christians get depression it is a fact of life. some of it can be spiritual and that needs to broken but some of it is becoz of unresolved issues and then some is the chemical imblance thing. God does love ya tho as i very much found out. God literally wrappen me in his arms one nite when i was ready to kill myself i have to go bye
note: if you get put on antidepressants and you get worse and can't sleep at all go to the doctor again

 

[* kittie *]

i'm depressed cuz of no reason.
i'm depressed cuz of my eating problems
i'm depressed cuz i'm lonely
i'm depressed cuz no one understands how i feel about anything (about my emotions and eating problems and everything else listed. which makes my depression worse)

i'm depressed cuz i feel left out (by my bro specifically...he and his gf always hang out, and i feel like the 3rd wheel)

i'm depressed cuz i can't concentrate on anything
i'm depressed cuz i don't feel motivated, and i feel guilty.
i'm depressed cuz i'm frustrated with school and my grades
i'm depressed cuz i'm homesick
i'm depressed cuz i miss the old days
i'm depressed cuz i feel that our family isn't as it used to be
i'm depressed cuz i can't do anything about my depression (makes it worse)

i'm depressed cuz i keep messing up in life...like i get angry about stuff other people do...when i should be understanding. or i dislike my bro's gf at times, when i know i shouldn't.

i'm depressed cuz i'm ashamed cuz i'm depressed
i'm depressed cuz i'm sick that my bro doesn't respect my feelings (he acts the way he wants to, even if it offends me)

i'm depressed cuz i'm ignored by my bro when i'm sad
i'm depressed cuz my emotions are like a roller coaster (different from feeling helpless)

i'm depressed cuz i have to many problems
i'm depressed cuz i'm never happy in any situation...whether i'm at home or with my brother
i'm depressed cuz i feel like i'm a obligation to everyone, including my own family

i'm depressed cuz i feel like i'm failing God...like i should be happy, and i'm not doing the stuff i need to be doing.

&nbsp;

and all of that is linked to each other...so they're all bugging me.&nbsp; and it's like i can't get past it.

 

[Laura]

&nbsp; blueiverson, I know the feeling...and I'm sorry you have to go through all this pain. You can PM me anytime if you want.