gone into myself:(

[Jo1]

hi everyone last few days or so ive been so withdrawn and depressed. dont want to go out. have to be forced the only thing im doing is being on here all the time.
im not talking to anyone about how i feel. the few friends ive got dont cope with me stuggling so ive stopped talking. i just wish all the depression and loneliness would end..

 

[Onlythingavailable]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you don't mind me asking, what caused you to retreat like this? Has it happened before?

You probably know this, but the longer you wait "inside", the harder it will be to break out, and sooner or later you have to come out. Have you talked to your husband about this? If you don't want to talk to your friends or close ones, you could go see a psychologist, or call a help line. Since you're on the forums you could tell us what's going on, but that's no substitute for real people who know what they are doing! Just don't let it bottle up inside you.

God loves you, and I don't believe He wants you to be miserable like this. Seek God's strength and wisdom through prayer, and tell that depression where it can go shove itself.

 

[Johnnz]

Although you feel like withdrawing its not a good thing to do.

Talk to your doctor, get regular exercise, get some sunshine each day, keep at your interests - these all help with the bad times.

John
NZ

 

[Bianca01]

Hi Jo,

I just responded to one of your other posts on the Depression board and hoping you will read it. I really feel your pain. I know how it feels to be withdrawn and depressed.

It's so sad that your friends just can't cope with your struggling. There are different types of friends. It's just a shame the type that only want to be around when we're happy happy happy.

I notice the guitar in the hand of your CF character. You are obviously creative. Have you been playing lately? Do you write songs? Music is healing.

Please write again and let us know how you are doing.

Take care.

 

[Bianca01]

Just wanted to add... remember it's okay to feel this way. You've been going through a lot. Take some time to feel and do things that help you work through those feelings.

I like this: It's good to be sensitive, it's much better than being insensitive.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

How we feel and our personal thoughts & opinions & those of others are like the waves of the sea, or shifting sand that people drown in, or at least you can't build on.

If you can see yourself as a New Creature, fix your eyes on Jesus then you can "walk on water".

This is your overcoming, to believe you are whatever God says you are, do not be ruled by your natural side.

It takes discipline to do this but it's the obedience God wants and what he blesses (blessings are gifts, temporal or spiritual), this is believing in Him.

Being with other people that are doing this will really help.

A thought from the Holy Spirit last sunday:-
"I have prepared grace and mercy ahead of you, like preparing a meal for friends . . . you would be disappointed if they didn't show up !"

 

[madison1101]

I strongly urge you to get therapy and exercise. Ask your therapist for a referral for a psychiatric evaluation for medication. Exercise will help you as well. Get to the gym, or take a 20 minute walk.

I have been where you are, and understand that urge to isolate.

Hugs,
Trish

 

[malckiah]

We all get depressed sometimes.....its not easy! There is only one solution to this and other issues.......
Take your eyes off you and put them on Jesus!
Remember when Simon Peter started to walk on water, then when he took his eyes of Jesus and started to focus on the waves and wind around him.....he fell. We do the same thing when we focus on our sorrow or depression or troubles or self......we fall. So put your focus back on Jesus and He will lift you up!

Perhaps do something new for The Lord....get active! Go help someone.....pray and ask God who you can help or how you can serve Him......there is never a shortage of things to do for The Kingdom of God!!

God Bless You!

 

[Bianca01]

How we feel and our personal thoughts & opinions & those of others are like the waves of the sea, or shifting sand that people drown in, or at least you can't build on.

Jesus wept. (John 11:35)

Hi Jo,

It's okay to feel. God created us all with different thoughts and opinions too. Otherwise, we wouldn't have the "choice" to follow Him or to use our own personal creativity for His purpose.

I suppose where we get into trouble is when the feeling of depression won't lift. Have you thought about talking with a Christian therapist/counselor? They might have some additional wisdom for you.

Please let us know how your are doing.

Take care.

 

[Gentle-Heart]

Hi. I am sorry you're having a hard time but one of the effects of being depressed is Self- Pity - feeling sorry for yourself.
The focus of your attention is all on you - and it is all negative - what you can not do and not seeing the good things in your life that are there. And one good thing is that Jesus lives!
You need to take your eyes off yourself and look to Jesus. Every time you are tempted to feel down, stand against the enemy who wants to discourage you and cause you to feel despair - worship Jesus - use your will to thank God that you have eternal life. Think of ways to bless other people and you will find that God gives you grace to come through this struggle.
I know what it is to be depressed and suicidal. But you do have a choice over what you think! The Lord tells us to cast down thoughts - meaning depressive thoughts, negative thoughts. Say one of the promises of God when you have a negative thought - you can only be depressed when your thoughts are negative.
Renew your mind with the word of God and see yourself as the beautiful person in Christ you are. Who can do all things through Him.
Depressed people go inward because the focus is inward - get your focus outward and you'll feel different. It is a choice we make where we focus our thoughts.
You need to ask the Lord to help your thoughts line up with His word - read and meditate on the word of God and beleive His promises, to give you hope.
Don't have a Pity Party, where it is Me, Myself and I.
Have a Praise Party and focus your thoughts on serving others and your Lord.
That is not to deny life may be hard for you - but that when life is hard you do not focus on the problems but you focus on the answer. To live by faith and not on your feelings - when we do this, it is a sign we are growing and maturing in God.
Praying you lift your eyes to Jesus and be thankful for the blessings you have - that even with problems, everything works together for good - so you can look forward to a breakthrough! Give God the Glory and not your problems is the way to go forward.
Much love and peace to you,
G-H

 

[madison1101]

Hi. I am sorry you're having a hard time but one of the effects of being depressed is Self- Pity - feeling sorry for yourself.
The focus of your attention is all on you - and it is all negative - what you can not do and not seeing the good things in your life that are there. And one good thing is that Jesus lives!
You need to take your eyes off yourself and look to Jesus. Every time you are tempted to feel down, stand against the enemy who wants to discourage you and cause you to feel despair - worship Jesus - use your will to thank God that you have eternal life. Think of ways to bless other people and you will find that God gives you grace to come through this struggle.
I know what it is to be depressed and suicidal. But you do have a choice over what you think! The Lord tells us to cast down thoughts - meaning depressive thoughts, negative thoughts. Say one of the promises of God when you have a negative thought - you can only be depressed when your thoughts are negative.
Renew your mind with the word of God and see yourself as the beautiful person in Christ you are. Who can do all things through Him.
Depressed people go inward because the focus is inward - get your focus outward and you'll feel different. It is a choice we make where we focus our thoughts.
You need to ask the Lord to help your thoughts line up with His word - read and meditate on the word of God and beleive His promises, to give you hope.
Don't have a Pity Party, where it is Me, Myself and I.
Have a Praise Party and focus your thoughts on serving others and your Lord.
That is not to deny life may be hard for you - but that when life is hard you do not focus on the problems but you focus on the answer. To live by faith and not on your feelings - when we do this, it is a sign we are growing and maturing in God.
Praying you lift your eyes to Jesus and be thankful for the blessings you have - that even with problems, everything works together for good - so you can look forward to a breakthrough! Give God the Glory and not your problems is the way to go forward.
Much love and peace to you,
G-H

I am sorry, but depression is not self-pity. It is more often caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and is easily corrected with the proper medication and psychotherapy.

It really saddens me when Christians lay a guilt trip on believers by spreading such error about mental illness. Depression is a mental illness problem, not a self-pity problem.

I strongly urge any believer to get a psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapy with a licensed therapist.

 

[Gentle-Heart]

Yes, you're right depression is not self-pity. I have been on anti-depressants and under the care of a psychiatrist until the Lord healed me.
What I was sharing about was how to deal with self-pity which can result from being depressed.
When I was depressed I was vulnerable to feeling sorry for myself. Although there is debilitating depression that is different and needs hospital treatment. I was in hospital for 7 months with that kind of depression. I was not wanting to put anyone on a guilt trip - just offering advice as to how to live by focusing on Jesus - Hebrews tells us to focus our eyes on Him , that would apply whether we feel depressed or not. When I was depressed I chose to focus on Him and my depression lifted.

 

[madison1101]

Yes, you're right depression is not self-pity. I have been on anti-depressants and under the care of a psychiatrist until the Lord healed me.
What I was sharing about was how to deal with self-pity which can result from being depressed.
When I was depressed I was vulnerable to feeling sorry for myself. Although there is debilitating depression that is different and needs hospital treatment. I was in hospital for 7 months with that kind of depression. I was not wanting to put anyone on a guilt trip - just offering advice as to how to live by focusing on Jesus - Hebrews tells us to focus our eyes on Him , that would apply whether we feel depressed or not. When I was depressed I chose to focus on Him and my depression lifted.

I totally agree that believers who suffer from any type of illness, be it mental or physical, need to focus more on Jesus. People with physical illnesses can fall into self-pity just as easily as those with depression.

I just know that I have seen too many believers tell Christians that they do not need therapy, or psychiatrists, they just need more faith.

In that I am in the mental health field, I strive to educate believers on the truth of mental illness.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. I appreciate your candor concerning your own struggles in this area. I, too, have suffered from depression.

 

[MamaChris]

How we feel and our personal thoughts & opinions & those of others are like the waves of the sea, or shifting sand that people drown in, or at least you can't build on.

If you can see yourself as a New Creature, fix your eyes on Jesus then you can "walk on water".

This is your overcoming, to believe you are whatever God says you are, do not be ruled by your natural side.

It takes discipline to do this but it's the obedience God wants and what he blesses (blessings are gifts, temporal or spiritual), this is believing in Him.

Being with other people that are doing this will really help.

A thought from the Holy Spirit last sunday:-
"I have prepared grace and mercy ahead of you, like preparing a meal for friends . . . you would be disappointed if they didn't show up !"

Thank you.......

 

[Bianca01]

We are not robots. How we feel, and our personal thoughts and opinions are part of who we are. Without that we are all the same.