how do christians cope with clinical depression?
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I just do. God is there for me, and will keep me safe and help me through whatever I am going through. He is having me take pills, to help cope. God, and prayer can help you through it. All people deal with it a dif. way. I pray, take pills, and I go to therepy. You have to believe you are going to get through it, and you will. I hope that you will get better, and that you will believe that God will always be there. He will help you, forever. e-mail me, mowel3point@yahoo.com
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Fellow believer, Paul felt the same ordeal when he wrote in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."\n\nPaul's dilemma was that in order to live was to do his God-given duty as a Christian to "go and make disciples of every nation," as Jesus commanded. Even I have fallen into stages of despair, wishing I could be with Jesus. Paul expresses his "longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" in 2 Corinthians 5:2.\n\nBut take comfort, dear believer! "For if we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which in you produces a patient endurance for the same sufferings we suffer."\n-2 Corinthians 1:6\n\nLet us finish Christ's work here, so that we may see to it that more may share in the eternal, joyful life we will have in Christ. We may not like to live in a godless world, but you can do your part to assist in the overturning of this philosophy without backbone.\n\nThose websites in my source gives me a LOT of encouragement every day, do check them out. I shall be praying for you.\n\nEDIT: What everyone is saying is true. Pray that God will help you back to your feet, and pray that God will use you for His glory.
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Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,\n But a good word makes it glad.  Proverbs 12:25\n\nMy grandfather believed that anything could be solved with the scriptures.  I can see what he meant, but I'm not so sure they should work alone.\n\nDepression is emotion (like anger, guilt, or anxiety) turned inward.  Some people rage at every little thing, and it's obvious they need to do some growth work.  Depression is insidious - especially in religious circles - because it is rewarded.  If you are angry and can effectively keep yourself from showing it, you're a good girl.   \n\nThe problem is that the anger isn't really dealt with in a more righteous way than if one flew into a rage.  Less people may be affected by it, but trying to control the rage and appear calm makes you live a lie.  Lies are not good.  They destroy our peace of mind and our health.\n\nIn that sense, sure, the Bible can help someone deal with depression.  If the depression is about dealing with emotions, a good Christian counselor should be able to guide someone to passages that deal specifically with thoughts and behaviors or attitudes or heart that need to be changed.  When we are at peace with God and ourselves, there is no depression.\n\nThe problem is that when my grandfather was alive and studying these things, depression was predominantly about thinking and feeling.  Now, it is also hormonal and chemical.  (I'm not saying that NEVER happened in the past, but I don't think it was a prevalent as it is today.)\n\nWe have so many new chemicals introduced everyday.  We are getting xenoestrogens in our food, water and product packaging.  We have all sorts of substances we are exposed to that may not kill us immediately, but pose a danger to us that most of us are blissfully unaware of.  Chemical estrogens can interfere with the way our natural estrogens work in the body.  Our hormones need to be kept in delicate balance or we start feeling unwell.\n\nBirth control pills are one example.  Premarin makes me cry uncontrollably, and it makes my hair fall out.  I don't want to be in the same room with it.  It alters my personality, and yes, it depressed me.  When I got it out of my system, I was no longer depressed.  If you're taking birth control pills or using patches, think back - how long have you been taking them?  Does your depression coincide with a change in prescription?  Have your cycles changed at all?\n\nGet a Basal Body Temperature thermometer (BBT), take your temp every morning before getting out of bed, and chart it on a calendar along with your cycle and any mood changes you have.  This will be useful information to take to your doctor.  \n\nDon't wait to see a doctor till you have charted yourself a while, but I think this is something every woman should do for herself.  It gives your doctor a good indication of how your hormones are affecting you.  It's useful for your long-term care.\n\nI'm not opposed to anxiety/depression medications, but I don't think they were ever meant to be used alone.  Be wary of any doctor who just wants to medicate you without getting you some counseling.  The meds are supposed to help you work with behavior modification and other therapies.  \n\nI think the drugs are amazing and I'm glad we have that resource for people, but I worry that we as a society are using them at times to avoid the growth work we need to do.  They numb us from the pain we need to come to terms with.  They enable us to continue unproductive behavior because we are too chilled out to care that our lives are unmanageable.\n\nLife is sad, sometimes.  And that's okay.  If we never felt the pain or sadness, something would be seriously wrong with us.  Even so, seek counseling.  Tell your doctor.\n\nStudy what your teachings say about anxiety, anger, guilt, and depression.  Pray for God to show you what you need to see and to do differently.  \n\nDo all of these things in balance and conj
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realanswers.net is the place to learn how to beat depression. They have lots of materials to read & listen to. The Pastor's name is Bob George, and he is an amazing Minister of the Gospel.
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I was depressed when I left college and downed a bottle of aspirin to make all the sh*t go away. It didn't work, (well, i'm still here afterall lol). I then tried to think things through and decided I had only a couple of options open to me. 1) I could go see a shrink, listen to all their BS and end up on psych drugs. 2) Kill myself. (Both 1 and 2 equated to the same horror as far as I was concerned). Or 3) Find something that would give me purpose in life, find strength and the will to create my life as I see fit. Thinking this meant "finding God", I grabbed the nearest encyclopedia and read as much as I could on religion and spirituality. Most of it was a bit of a turn off, truth be told. I was an atheist then and believed that I was responsible for my life and future and simply refused to accept that I was some pawn or puppet of forces out of my control. But I eventually did find some data that matched my beliefs: Buddhism and Scientology. I did as much research as possible, looked at all the pros and cons and, being the eclectic that I am, used bits of both philosophies to sort myself out. I also did some self-improvement courses that addressed my low self-esteem and self-confidence, and in the space of 1-2 months I had erased a lifetime of introversion, depression and misery.\n\nThat was how I did. And it worked for me. There are so many different options available out there, you should do as much research as possible so you can find something that works for you. If you are genuinely to the point of ending it all then that is your choice, but there is help out there if you reach for it. These guys, especially, are on call 24-7 to talk and help if you need to. http://www.volunteerministers.org/eng/help/index.htm
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the real help is in Jesus christ.\nyou may not like it,but get a real christian to pray for you.
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1. Depression is far too complicated a subject to role it all up in a single answer.\n2. Aim to work on the causes of your personal depressive feelings and thoughts.\n3. Most of the time finding someone that you can trust to talk with helps.\n4. Faith helps many people and it gives them something to take their minds off themselves.\n5. Some depression, but by no means all, is caused by chemical imbalances. Get to the doc and try some antidepressant an drug.\n6. Sometimes this can be caused by brain tumors or gland disorders.\nIn short you are due for a complete check up and be sure you tell the Doctor about the depressed feelings.\n7. I worked in a gas station at 16. How about a job. That will keep you busy.\nloligo1@yahoo.com
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First of all, you are not alone. Everyone on this planet has their ups and downs. Facing the world seems to be a never ending struggle and frankly, thats the spice of life.....its just the way it is.\n\nI suggest that you do the following:\n\n1. Make a "To do List" it keeps you on track and lets you know when you are slipping.\n\n2. Exercise ( Nothing major!) but do a jog around the block or two, to keep the blood circulating.\n\n3. Eat healthy!. When you are going into a depression(which I think you are) avoid overeating as obesity can hit you when you least expect it. Food can be abused when you are depressed.\n\n4. Socialize by going to gatherings at your university or outside of school such as a focus group on a subject of iterest. It keeps you busy and allows you to interact and make new friends.\n\n5.  Spirituality is very important! go to church, synagoge or mosque or whatever..... it allows you to detach from your problems and connect with your creator. This feeds the soul.
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Now is the time to pray. Really pray. As you see counseling isn't helping. The only one who is able to heal her is God. \nI was depressed most of my life. When I started going to church and praying, God took away the depression and gave me\npeace. A peace of mind. I know what depression does. It will\ndrive you crazy and it takes a toll on the family. Take your wife to a church and let them pray for her. God is going to bless you for being a good and faithful husband. I\napplaud you for your work and devotion. There are not many men who would do that for their wife. If God delivered me from it then He can do the same for her. I'm a living witness. I'm a survivor.
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God still heals.\n\nOften in cases that appear to be bipolar, simply doing what's right. . .living for God will take care of it.  I've seen it happen.
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First I would advise against referring this friend to mental heath care unless you believe him/her to be seriously suicidal (even then, pray about it first). From first-hand experience, I can say that doctors, no matter how well meaning, rarely can make things better, especially if they are not christian. Mental hospitals can keep patients alive, but they can't make the root problem better. Only God can do that.\n\nSecond, as someone else said, advice is not usually welcome in someone depressed, so think carefully before you speak. I can't give you any specific help except don't give general advice (for example, suggest he/she take a fifteen minute walk each morning and evening, rather than the more general, "be more active").\n\nFinally, instead of specific verses, I would suggest reading with her/him everyday if he/she will allow it. What may not strike you may be the exact key that they need. The King James Version (this is not evident in any other version) also has a soothing property in its sound arrangement which scientists have found helps to calm distress.\n\nIf he she is suicidal, I would suggest this section in which Paul describes feeling the same way:\n2 Corinthians 1:3-10, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;\nWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.\nFor as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.\nAnd whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\nAnd our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.\nFor we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:\nBut we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:\nWho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"\n\nGod bless you and help your friend.
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Christians of all ages can get depression and yes, talking to God is the first step to rid ourselves of it. But as humans we also have to remember that God will use different "trials" to strengthen our belief in him. Counseling by our pastor is the first method of counseling which should be considered, but if that is not an option then by all means find a Christian counselor. It was stated before that depression is often a chemical unbalance, if that's the case, then a Christian psychiatrist is the way to get treated. They will combine medication and counseling.
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No it's not normal it's a sign of depression. You should seek help from a counselor and ask God to come into your life and give you his Holy Spirit so that you can become born again.\n\nThe ROMANS ROAD....is a pathway you can walk.\n\n It is a group of Bible verses from the book of Romans in the New Testament.  If you walk down this road you will end up understanding how to be saved. \n\nRomans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."\n\nWe all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.  \n\nWe were born under the power of sin's control.\n\n- Admit that you are a sinner.\n\n \n\nRomans 6:23a  "...The wages of sin is death..." \n\nSin has an ending.  It results in death.  We all face physical death, which is a result of sin.  But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity.  The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever.   It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.\n\n- Understand that you deserve death for your sin.\n\n Romans 6:23b  "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." \n\nSalvation is a free gift from God to you!  You can't earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.\n\n- Ask God to forgive you and save you.\n\n Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"\n\nWhen Jesus died on the cross He paid sin's penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that  we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life.  He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!\n\n- Give your life to God... His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change.  His love bought you out of being a slave to sin.  His love is what saves you --  not religion, or church membership.  God loves you!\n\nRomans 10:13  "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!" \n\n- Call out to God in the name of Jesus!\n\n Romans 10:9,10  "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting  in salvation."\n\n- If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door, ask Him to come into your heart. \n\nJesus said,\n\nRevelation 3:20a "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..." \n\n- Is Jesus knocking on your heart's door?\n\nBelieve in Him. Ask Him to come in to your heart  by faith,\nand ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again. \n\nGod will help you.  He loves you. \n\nYou need to look for a local church where God's word is preached.  The Bible says that we are to desire God's word like a newborn baby desires mother's milk.\n\nAren't you hungry to know the truth?\n\nWater baptism is one of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus.  This is an action, and actions will not save you.  However, it is an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.\n\nThe symbolism is this: When you go down in the water you show that You have been crucified and buried with Him,\n\nAnd when you come up out of the water you show that you have been raised to walk with Him in newness of life. \n\n(See Romans chapter 6)\n\nYou have been born again. \n\n(See John chapter 3)\n\nYour body has become God's temple. Your heart is where He lives. Forgiveness is yours in Jesus. And you belong to Him.
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what about going to your church and if they cant help maybe they can lead you in the right direction to get help. I understand the hard times as I have had my share but some how it always worked out.  Good Luck
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For me I sought counseling for that. I saw a Christian counselor that helped me with anger and bitterness towards people and it helped me TREMENDOUSLY!!  Or, you could seek counseling or see a psychiatrist for help as well. If you are a member of a church, seek help from people there. Get help from pastors, elders, or other people in general there. I hope the best for you.
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yes Christianity made me very depressed as well. whats with these people? are the mindless zombies or what? scary! and i thought zombies were not real until i meet chat Christians *shudders* no telling what they will do. they might attack or try to convert me which is just as bad
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Oh, sweetheart, I am so sorry. I can relate to you in two ways. My situation is the opposite. I grew up with my father and did not see my mother from age 6 to age 20. The second thing we have on common is that my father also died recently. He committed suicide because he was sick and depressed. It's gonna take a lot of time. I don't have kids, and it bothers me that when I do he'll never meet them. \n\nHere's what I do to cope...\n\nI play the Moonlight Sonata on the piano because he loved to listen to me play that. I burned a CD of songs that remind me of him. When I listen to them, I can hear him singing them and see him smiling. I burned another CD of songs that express how I feel about his death, which helps to get it all out. I write letters to him, and that gets it all out, too. I allow myself to be angry - it's hard to be angry with someone you love. I try not to beat myself up with what I could have done differently and all the things I never said. I know he knew how much I loved him without my having to say it. My faith in God helps, because I think of what the word eternity means, and when I do, I see that 70 years on this earth is just nothing, really. I don't blame God - I try not to blame at all, which is not easy to do. \n\nAnother good thing to know about is the grieving process. There is shock/denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Since they are always written in that order, I thought that you go through one, then you're done with it and you go through the next. That's simply not true. You can be crying, then in a rage, then wake up the next day not believing what has happened. Knowing, but not believing. I find it hard to talk to people because I feel like it makes them uncomfortable. I also feel like it's old news to my friends, and that makes it hard to just bring it up again. But I do try to monitor myself and take good care of myself. If I'm in denial, I remind myself that denial only puts off dealing with it and makes it a longer process. If I am feeling guilty, I remind myself that it's not my fault and that my father would not want me to think it was. If I see that I am isolating myself, I call a friend and go out. \n\nI know that my situation is different, because you hardly knew your father, but I am sure that you loved him, and that he loved you. The one thing that gives me the most comfort is knowing that love is not killed, buried, or cremated. Love never leaves. Know that your father is very much alive in you, and so is his love. Give yourself time and be patient with yourself. If you want to talk more, email me.