DEPRESSION
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Do You Think You’re Suffering From Depression?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!
I know that there is help for times when you are feeling very down because I have already gone through severe depression twice in my life. Once in high school and the other time when I went through a painful divorce.
Depression is very real, and it is very crippling to have to deal with. But help for depression is very real too! God puts the right people in your life when you need them, sometimes a good friend, other times a family member. God can use a pastor, counselor, doctor, therapist, friend and even strangers to encourage people.
Remember that you are not alone! There is help for depression available. You will see your faith and trust in God getting stronger as you strive to find solutions for depression from our encouragement ministry and others in your life! ~ Bill Greguska
Getting The Help You Need is Just a Step Away
A person does not have to be a professional counselor. I am just someone who has dealt with anxiety and depression in my life. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, I offer you encouragement from my experience. If your situation calls for it, please get the professional help you need. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or otherwise in severe crisis, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Don’t try to do this on your own. Beyond your doctor and therapist, you’ll want to bring a group of trusted friends and family members in your corner. There will be times you need others to comfort you, help you with tasks, and hold you accountable. Some people just don’t understand. They will tell you just to get over it, or just stop being depressed. They will likely say things that are even more stupid than that. Do not listen to these people.They may have the best of intentions, but we all know where that road leads! Avoid these people, if possible, while working through your problems.
Do You Understand The Signs of Depression?
In my experience, divorce takes you out for about 10 years, but you hear people talk about it lightly. The same with depression. You only have to have one good breakdown before you realize you need help. It’s pretty frightening. ~ Julia Cameron
Psalm 143:7-8 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Related Pages of Encouragement:
A Special Link for a Little Extra Encouragement
There is Help For Depression!
There is help for depression, call upon the Lord!
- Situational depression is caused by one or more situations that can be upsetting, but not necessarily a real depression. Possibly a loss of a job, a divorce, the death of a loved one, etc.
- When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless – but with spiritual help, support and Encouragement, you can get better.
- Learning emotional illness, including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment is the first step to overcoming the problem.
- Weathering the storms of depression is something that needs help from a close friend, church member, or possibly medical treatment. My pastor’s wife, Sue Sauer, helped me a lot during the time when I was depressed while going through a divorce I did not want – also my mother, Pastor Mark Mallwitz, and Pastor Dave Briscoe were all very encouraging. Looking back, I learned that when I trusted a close friend for support, it took the load off my shoulders. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Remember that sadness is a very regular part of life, but depression does not have to be a way of life! Similar to a dog, depression can be controlled and trained bottom line; you can overcome depression!
President Abraham Lincoln Battled Depression!
President Abraham Lincoln battled depression and suicide all his adult life. There were times when for his own safety Lincoln would not allow himself to carry a knife, for fear that he would hurt himself, or worse. Sometimes depression can be a purely spiritual thing, it must be fought with God’s word. Take your concerns to the Lord and ask the Lord for His help to sort things out with you.
Depression is the physical and emotional result of hopelessness, the “feeling” of hopelessness. We live in a world devoid of hope, and depression is the emotional product of that reality. The only thing that will actually change one’s life sufficiently as to destroy the cause, mechanics, and effects of depression is God’s hope and His word of hope. The answer is to get God’s hope back inside of you.
If I were you, I would go to see my doctor or therapist before I got too far down. Pay attention to your symptoms and the feedback of trusted friends and loved ones. The sooner you recognize and admit you are depressed, the sooner you can turn things around. There are times when using anti-depressants for a short time can be very helpful. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, there is hope for depression, and there is help available. You are not alone. With God’s help, you will climb out of this hole.
These scriptures on depression will give you hope and will build your faith. Confess and meditate on them to win the fight. The key is not losing Hope. Allow the hope of God to seep back into you. Remember, there is a real Person (God) behind each and every one of these promises. He promised them to you for a reason – to help you.
- Psalm 145:14
- Proverbs 12:25
- Isaiah 40:31
- Isaiah 53:4
- Mark 9:23
- Philippians 4:6-7
- James 4:8
- James 4:10
- 2 Peter 2:9
- 1 Peter 5:7
Speak With Your Doctor If You Think You Are Depressed?
What is depression?
To put it simply is an illness that involves the brain. It can affect your thinking, mood, and daily activities. Depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. Depression can be mild or severe. Mild depression can become more serious if it’s not treated. Often people use the expression, “I am depressed about (___________)”, which is not necessarily the same as clinical depression.
If you are diagnosed with real depression, you aren’t alone. Depression is a very common illness that affects millions of adults in the United States every year. The good news is that it can be treated. Trying to get help is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. You can feel better. Often talking with a close friend, pastor, counselor, can help you to initially determine what is actually going on. It could be a situation, or lack of proper sleep, diet, exercise, etc.
What are the signs?
It’s normal to feel sad sometimes, but if you feel sad or “down” on most days for more than 2 weeks at a time, you may be depressed. Depression affects people differently. Some signs of depression are:
- Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Feeling hopeless or empty
- Forgetting things or having trouble making decisions
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing weight without intending to
- Thinking about suicide or death
To learn more, take this quiz to see if you might be depressed.
How is it treated?
It can be treated with talk therapy, medicines (called antidepressants), or both. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for talk therapy or medicine.
Check out these websites to learn more
- General information about depression
- Information for older adults
- Information for women
- Information for pregnant women and new moms
- Resources for veterans
Take Action!
Depression is a real illness. If you think you might be depressed, be sure to see your doctor.
Talk to a doctor about how you are feeling.
Get a medical checkup. Ask to see a doctor or nurse who can screen you for depression.
Either a doctor or nurse may also check to see if you have another health condition (like thyroid disease) that can cause depression or make it worse. If you have one of these health conditions, it’s important to get treatment right away.
What about cost?
If you don’t have insurance, you can still get health care. Find a health center near you and make an appointment.
Get treatment for depression.
When you have depression, seeking help is the best thing you can do. Depression can be treated with talk therapy, medicines, or both.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional or use this treatment locator to find mental health services near you. Some programs offer free or low-cost treatment if you don’t have insurance.
Here are some places you can go to for help with depression:
- Doctor’s office or health clinic
- Family service or social service agency
- Psychologist
- Counselor or social worker
- Psychotherapist
- Remember, even if asking for help seems scary, it’s an important step toward feeling better.
Check out this guide to finding a mental health professional
Get support!
If you have depression, it can also help to reach out for social support. You don’t have to face depression alone. A trusted family member, friend, or faith leader can help support you as you seek out medical treatment.
Get more ideas for building your support system.
Get active!
Getting active can lower your stress level and help your treatment work better. It can also help keep you from getting depressed again. But it’s important to know that physical activity isn’t a treatment for depression.
If someone you care about is depressed, get help.
If you think a friend or family member may be depressed, check out these tips on how to talk to a loved one about depression.
Find more resources for people living with a mental illness.
Get help right away if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide.
- To get help for yourself or someone else, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
(Above Information partially supplied by https://healthfinder.gov website)
More Ideas to Help Fight Depression!
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, here are some helpful tips and encouragement about how you can overcome this type of thing and build your faith:
- Avoid being alone; be with people who love and care about you.
- Sing or listen to uplifting, Godly music.
- Read the Bible daily (especially the Psalms) and draw your strength from it to renew your faith in God.
- Get enough rest; don’t try to handle your depression when you’re sleep-deprived.
- Exercise and examine your diet for needed changes.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer refined sugars.
- Seek help from others if you feel overwhelmed with your discouragement.
- Praise God and give thanks, even if you don’t feel like it; try to speak words of encouragement instead of falling into the rut of complaining. Focus on your blessings: You have many of them, even if you can’t always see them.
- Work on the solutions for your Depression, not the symptoms.
- Is there a spiritual problem you need to deal with? Is there a relationship you need to reconcile? Become active in a recreation you enjoy.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments or would just like some encouragement?
I had some experience in dealing with people who have mental illness and depression, but I didn’t see the signs in myself. I couldn’t ask for help because I didn’t know I needed help. ~ Clara Hughes
Psalm 42:5-6 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.