Depression

[looking4joy]

As long as the medical and psychiatric professions willingly and deliberately ignore the spiritual dimension of human beings and the existence of evil spirits and Satan himself, you will not get either a proper diagnosis nor proper treatment for those who have mental or psychological issues.

Western "medicine" chooses to simply ignore something which exists (and Scripture confirms that it exists) but which they are not willing or prepared to deal with. Even the shamans and medicine men have more sense (not that they are being recommended).

So to all those whose doctors told them they had "clinical depression" and prescribed medication, did any of those doctors even hint at the spiritual dimension? And if not, did you challenge them about their wilful ignorance and blindness?

I think until you have had what we suffer with, you won't agree with us. In fact, you have no idea what it's like. I was completely nonfunctional when I had my first episode. I couldn't use the restroom on my own. I wasn't eating, sleeping, nor could I brush my teeth, bathe, or anything. Now listen: I was praying during this episode the whole time, that God would heal me. I worshiped Him in song and prayer. I waited for a miracle. And my faith was firm in Jesus. But He didn't heal me through instant or even slow miracles. His Spirit moved my parents, when they saw me, to rush me to the ER and there I couldn't even talk. So I had no chance to "challenge them about their wilful ignorance and blindness." But all I know, is that before that time I was dying, after they diagnosed me and gave me meds to take, I was alive again. That's precisely how Jesus worked in my life during that time. Sure there were spiritual problems in my life, but nothing that a little talking and trusting couldn't turn around. After this episode I continued to travel - four times to Europe, and around the US - playing music and being who God made me to be. I worship Him for that now. I know what deliverance is, and you, sir, cannot take my testimony away.

I'll ask you, Job8, if you had an infection on your body, and you'd die if you didn't take some antibiotics, would you take them? Did the doctor ask about your spiritual state? Don't you know that your infection can be cured spiritually? Infection and all illness is the result of sin. Where's your faith???

Now hopefully you'll see that the brain is an organ that doesn't always work correctly, and needs meds in such cases.

 

[looking4joy]

God is good.

 

[Job8]

What I can tell you is that I tried the spiritual route, and it was a bust. I tried the psychiatric route and my depression has stabilized. Are you going to tell me I didn't have enough faith, and that's why I wasn't healed?

Dysert,
I would not presume to sit in judgment over your (or anyone else's) faith under any circumstances, since only the Lord knows your heart. And I am certainly glad your depression has stabilized.

I'll ask you, Job8, if you had an infection on your body, and you'd die if you didn't take some antibiotics, would you take them? Did the doctor ask about your spiritual state? Don't you know that your infection can be cured spiritually? Infection and all illness is the result of sin. Where's your faith???

It is not that God tells us not to use physicians. But when it comes to these issues, they cannot be limited to medications. Certainly God has provided antibiotics and they do help.

All I was trying to bring out is exactly what you have confirmed: that the medical profession ignores the spiritual, and probably vice versa. And that is the issue that all who suffer must address. I believe it is high time that the medical profession took the "holisitic approach" (not in a New Age sense) which gives serious consideration to the spiritual dimension of mental, psychological and spiritual issues. Naturally, without Christ and the Holy Spirit, there will not be any real answers.

 

[Beloved of God]

I have depression sometimes and recommend talking to people about it and praying through it. Depression medicines also help.

 

[Beloved of God]

Oops posted before I read the OP. Mental illness is worse than bodily illness and needs to be treated. Denying a child and not getting them a counselor could just be what ends their life. As someone with serious mental conditions I can't stand when Christians say not to treat it.

 

[ToBeLoved]

As long as the medical and psychiatric professions willingly and deliberately ignore the spiritual dimension of human beings and the existence of evil spirits and Satan himself, you will not get either a proper diagnosis nor proper treatment for those who have mental or psychological issues.

Western "medicine" chooses to simply ignore something which exists (and Scripture confirms that it exists) but which they are not willing or prepared to deal with. Even the shamans and medicine men have more sense (not that they are being recommended).

So to all those whose doctors told them they had "clinical depression" and prescribed medication, did any of those doctors even hint at the spiritual dimension? And if not, did you challenge them about their wilful ignorance and blindness?

I think every Christian who has clinical depression or a mental illness has prayed for healing as well as many others that have prayed on their behalf. I think that most Christians try spiritual things before just running to doctors. I would have thought that you would have realized that.

 

[Job8]

I think every Christian who has clinical depression or a mental illness has prayed for healing as well as many others that have prayed on their behalf. I think that most Christians try spiritual things before just running to doctors. I would have thought that you would have realized that.

I am not blaming Christians. I am blaming the medical profession for their wilful blindness and ignorance. If you don't believe this, ask your doctor point-blank "Have you factored in the spiritual aspects of mental disorders? If not why not? And if you haven't when are you going to start treating the whole person? Human beings are body, soul, and spirit, and there are evil spirits in this world who attack human beings."

 

[fat wee robin]

Imo it's both. There's no question that depression is an illness. They've looked at the brains of depressed people versus those not afflicted and can quantify a difference.

On a personal note, I see nothing good that has come from my depression. It's been 17 years, most of which were hell. Only in the past few years did my psychiatrist find the cocktail that has kept me stable. Even now, though, the ugly symptoms of the illness continue to take their toll. If God wants to use it for good I wish He'd hurry up about it.

I sympathise with you and will pray that it will lift and that the sun will come out.
Apart from taking drugs what else do you do help yourself ?

 

[dysert]

I sympathise with you and will pray that it will lift and that the sun will come out.
Apart from taking drugs what else do you do help yourself ?

Thanks for the prayers, Robin. There really is nothing else I need to do. I'm stable, and that makes me content. I've tried exercising several times, but that has no impact. I've read tons of books, but they've made no difference. I'm in the Word every day and attend two weekly Bible studies, but that has made no difference. I've had lots of psychotherapy, and that made a little difference.

I feel fortunate that the meds have gotten me to this place. I can again hold down a pretty demanding job and do all the other stuff I'm involved in. I'm still bitter, though, because I was at my worst while my kids were young. Who knows how I probably acted around them during the bad times. Thankfully, they both grew up to be very well adjusted and successful adults. So I didn't screw them up too bad.

I feel bad for the people who are afflicted and have not gotten out of it yet. Imo, depression is the worst ailment a person could have. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Thanks for the prayers, Robin. There really is nothing else I need to do. I'm stable, and that makes me content. I've tried exercising several times, but that has no impact. I've read tons of books, but they've made no difference. I'm in the Word every day and attend two weekly Bible studies, but that has made no difference. I've had lots of psychotherapy, and that made a little difference.

I feel fortunate that the meds have gotten me to this place. I can again hold down a pretty demanding job and do all the other stuff I'm involved in. I'm still bitter, though, because I was at my worst while my kids were young. Who knows how I probably acted around them during the bad times. Thankfully, they both grew up to be very well adjusted and successful adults. So I didn't screw them up too bad.

I feel bad for the people who are afflicted and have not gotten out of it yet. Imo, depression is the worst ailment a person could have. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Very well said.

I think that people try to survive clinical depression so they can get on with life. It is a hinderance to normal existance.