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L
A few years ago I would get very depressed. I wanted to die and I attempted it. I would get anxiety attacks too and I had social anxiety. Now I'm a little embarrassed about that but whatever. I'm not suicidal anymore...God has made me a new creation. He really has! I have a long ways to go but when I think about how I was just 4 years ago, I can't help but think "wow!"
For anyone suffering, hang in there! It gets better. And I really recommend you take natural steps to helping ease depression...thinks like walking, a fun hobby, spending time with family/friends and eating right. Those are the things that have helped me. I have never taken pills for depression and I'm glad I didn't need them.
For anyone suffering, hang in there! It gets better. And I really recommend you take natural steps to helping ease depression...thinks like walking, a fun hobby, spending time with family/friends and eating right. Those are the things that have helped me. I have never taken pills for depression and I'm glad I didn't need them.
To suffer chronic depression is "no walk in the park". If it were not for God and all the strength he has provided in times of dire need, I would not be here now. That said, it is still a struggle that, when compounded with anxiety and ptsd, can wear down anyone. Many of us wish we could forget the past, but it isn't that easy. Thank God we can turn to Him 24/7 and He is there to provide the comfort we seek and the strength (both physical and spiritual) we need for every day.......every day, because for some,the torment can be constant. God watches over all of us and is just a prayer away.......and we should all be grateful for that. Stay strong in the Lord and you can be strong in the world.
U
Keep in mind, people, getting depressed is not the same as being depressed. If you are not normally depressed but go through a period of depression due to circumstances at the time you still don't truly have depression, or know what it's like to live your entire life with it. That's like saying you had the flu so you understand what it's like to have cancer because both are an illness.
So, please, let's not confuse the two.
So, please, let's not confuse the two.
U
You may be right but I see no shame in confessing this type of struggle, at least this way others might see it and pray for you 
And within the church their is still a lot of wrong attitudes and treatment towards sufferers so it makes it difficult for those that due suffer to cone forth. On this site I've seen many confess one mental illness or another and be condemned. Being told it's their fault, that they're hiding behind it, that it's evidence of sin, that it's a punishment from God, proof they don't have a good enough relationship with God and on and on. All on this site.
So the idea that people who have kept it a secret will open up to answer a poll is just not right. A depressive mind does not operate or see the world the same way as those that don't have it.
I think he was just saying it's public as a way in case someone wants others to pray. People attack others on here regarding mental illness, yes. People also pray, though. I don't think he was suggesting prayer will make it go away. Those who struggle with mental illness and those who know how mental illness works know that it doesn't work like that. I can't control if someone thinks depression is "a sign of me sinning and feeling guilty about it" or anxiety is "a result of not trusting God". People, including Christians, have been, are, and will continue to be ignorant of topics containing such things. It's a shame it's like that.
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There are different forms of depression listed in the DSM. Do people tend to over diagnose themselves like they do with anxiety? Of course. Then again these are generally the same people who misuse the term antisocial. They think it's being an introvert and just not wanting to be sociable, when in reality it's a personality disorder.
R
I got the formal diagnosis of having depression about five months ago. I am currently on medication which helps. I never got to the point where I feel like giving up on life, but in other areas I did give up. I have a tendency of burying things when they bother me or I am hurting and never really deal with them. I got extremely hurt almost two years ago and I had a anxiety attack and broke down at work, not the most pleasant experience, I've dealt with being a caretaker for my mom who as a result of having multiple head injuries due to a disease she has, caused her to be explosive with her words and actions and left me feeling that I have no value. I talked with a friend and she asked me a few questions and told me to bring it up with my PCP and they put me on meds for it. After the diagnosis I felt down and upset, but she explained it was completely normal and after a period of time people find they can go off the meds and be perfectly fine
U
I'm not trying to get into some debate or excessive commentary on the details of what things are or what does or doesn't happen on CC. I'm making a simple statement to clarify common misconceptions.
I also never said he was saying prayer would make it go away. Never implied that he was thinking that. I was making clear a basic distinction between being a depressive person and having a situational depression and sharing a small piece of how it's not easy for people, especially within the church, to open up.
And, yes, I'm well aware some people on the site also pray. But usually those that are critical and accusing do far more damage than those that agree to pray. So I was pointing out that those attitudes are common enough to discourage Christians from getting help. I felt no need to cover every base. That wasn't the intent.
I also never said he was saying prayer would make it go away. Never implied that he was thinking that. I was making clear a basic distinction between being a depressive person and having a situational depression and sharing a small piece of how it's not easy for people, especially within the church, to open up.
And, yes, I'm well aware some people on the site also pray. But usually those that are critical and accusing do far more damage than those that agree to pray. So I was pointing out that those attitudes are common enough to discourage Christians from getting help. I felt no need to cover every base. That wasn't the intent.
You know, if you don't have a sense of humor with depression, it's gonna be a rough ride--
Let's build on that theme:
I don't get depressed. But--
I do have those times when I feel like my mother never really loved me, she was just faking it to make me think I wasn't a mistake, and that I wasn't such a heavy burden it made her still throw up from morning sickness every time she thought of me 10 years later; So she adopted a cat so at least she wouldn't have to pay $100,000 for it's education, and it's failures wouldn't make her tell her therapist that her kids made her so embarrased that she had to move to Canada where at least anti-depressant medications and group therapy are free;
I still don't get depressed when even my shrink says "face it--you're just a big disappointment; if you didn't have $300 I wouldn't give you the time of day." "it's no wonder your wife left you for someone with more than $2500 in the bank and a one-bedroom apartment in the basement." "I'd give you some sample depression pills, but, I think I should save them for someone who doesn't ruin my day and make me more depressed for a week just wasting my time talking to a whining defeatist who just comes here to create more drama."
I still don't get depressed when my boss says that they have to let me go because I'm losing the company money, and they need my office for a crying room for kids of employees who have affairs on company time...
that's probably enough for now...
I'm making myself depressed--
Let's build on that theme:
I don't get depressed. But--
I do have those times when I feel like my mother never really loved me, she was just faking it to make me think I wasn't a mistake, and that I wasn't such a heavy burden it made her still throw up from morning sickness every time she thought of me 10 years later; So she adopted a cat so at least she wouldn't have to pay $100,000 for it's education, and it's failures wouldn't make her tell her therapist that her kids made her so embarrased that she had to move to Canada where at least anti-depressant medications and group therapy are free;
I still don't get depressed when even my shrink says "face it--you're just a big disappointment; if you didn't have $300 I wouldn't give you the time of day." "it's no wonder your wife left you for someone with more than $2500 in the bank and a one-bedroom apartment in the basement." "I'd give you some sample depression pills, but, I think I should save them for someone who doesn't ruin my day and make me more depressed for a week just wasting my time talking to a whining defeatist who just comes here to create more drama."
I still don't get depressed when my boss says that they have to let me go because I'm losing the company money, and they need my office for a crying room for kids of employees who have affairs on company time...
that's probably enough for now...
I'm making myself depressed--