Is Depression a true illness or can it be attributed  only to spirituality difficulties?
357281
Wow, your husband is only going to do some pretty ruff damage to your daughter's condition. He is in no way helping her by refusing to accept facts about it being a true illness. One that is not from lack of spirituality. By saying she is lacking in spirituality, he is putting blame on her for being ill. That will only mess up her mental health even more. Talk to your daughter's doctor and let the doctor know what is going on with your husband's beliefs about this. The doctor needs to know this so he can help your daughter with the fall out/effects of your husband's attitude about this. By the way: tell your husband that I am an ordained minister and shame on him for using /God/Jesus/the holy spirit this way!
792161
Sounds like depression.\n\nDepression is a very common condition that is believed by many experts to be the number one cause of disability in the world. In the U.S.,17% of people will experience depression at some point in their lives. An estimated 19 million people in the U.S. are currently suffering from depression. Depression is more common in women then in men, with 25% of women suffering from depression severe enough to warrant treatment at least once during their lifetime. \n\nIt’s important to remember that depression is an illness that affects both the body and mind. It is not something that we can just wish away or “snap out of”, nor is it a sign of a weak character. The good news about depression is that almost everyone suffering from this condition can be helped with treatment, so it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression. \n\nAccording to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the main symptoms and signs of depression are the following:\n\n-Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood \n-Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism \n-Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness \n-Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex \n-Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down" \n-Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions \n-Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping \n-Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain \n-Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts \n-Restlessness, irritability \n-Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain \n\nIf you have been experiencing several of these symptoms to a degree that they have impaired or affected your life, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find out whether or not you are suffering from depression and direct you to appropriate resources for treatment and recovery.\n\nTreatment of depression may include antidepressant medication, professional counseling such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two. \n\nProfessional counseling may be all that you need for mild to moderate depression.\n \nIf your early symptoms are severe, your initial treatment most likely will include both antidepressants and professional counseling. \n\nHospitalization may be necessary if you show warning signs of suicide, such as thoughts or plans about harming yourself or another person, detachment from reality (psychosis), or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
210946
You know enly, your questions are awesome.  You really have put some thought into them.\nI also have a feeling that you know the answers to your own questions and ask them just to get people to think.\n\nI believe whole heartedly that some mental illnesses are spiritual conditions.  Have you ever wondered why more and more people are diagnosed with depression, ADD, bi polar, and other illnesses every year?\nI think it is a direct relation to the way God's influence is consistently less every year on society.  People are rejecting His laws and ways more aggressively and openly every year.\nIt's not that these people don't have the symptoms, but it is being misunderstood.\n\nNow, I do believe that some of these people really need medical help.  But many of them are in a bad spiritual state.  They lacked discipline as a child, they lacked good family upbringings, values, teachings, etc.  It all starts in the home.  And it will continue to get worse because the home is becoming more lost and wicked every year.\n\nThen you also have your bonafide posessions.  Remember that in the bible, Jesus rebuked many demons out of people who were lunatick.\nToday, those people are getting doped up instead of the demons cast out of them.  Their bodies are calm because of the drugs, but they are a spiritual mess inside.\n\nIf you look with the Spirit, you will know that some people that you meet are posessed.  I have met a few myself and have had confrontations with them spiritually.  It's not fun, let me tell you.\n\nI think the state of this world is in a mental illness.  Their logic and reason is anything but logical or reasonable.  The way society views and handles issues today is sickening.  \n\nI could go on and on about this, but I think you get the point I'm trying to make.\n\nI can guarantee you that you will never find a true Christian in a mental ward because they are not able to be posessed.  Except for real medical problems like Alzheimers and such, a true Christian is protected from spiritual illness.\n\nAs far as the chemical condition of the brain for people who are mentally ill, you have a cause and effect issue or "chicken and an egg problem".\nDid the chemicals cause the condition or did the condition cause the chemicals?  No one knows or will be ever able to answer.
674542
First let me start with You have depression. You are in a funk right now. I too have my moments when I think that God has forgotten all about me or has even played cruel jokes on me. It is the depression. You mentioned God so that means that in doing so you have not forgotten him,he too has not forgotten you. It seems like things are so hard to take but everyday you have something good. you just have to look for it.  If you were to end life now all would be for nothing. besides the pain that all who love you feel in that event is so unfair. I have had to endure that kind of pain and I don't want to go through that again. However it plagues my family everyday. Things always get better. If you take medication are you taking it? Is it adjusted correctly? If not maybe you need to see a doctor. good luck to you
1091314
I'm with ya. It's RARE, but ever once in a while there is a "faith healing" of a real illness. Credit should go to the body's almost miraculous ability to heal itself, not God's intervention. Ironic don't you think, that for every "success" of faith healing, there are thousands of failures. These are usually blamed on the sufferer's lack of faith.......
386242
personally, i think that some forms of mental illness can come and go pretty quickly. i think that you have to be in some state of mental illness to want to commit suicide, and the same goes for killing someone (other than self-defense kind of thing). if one is in extreme, chronic pain, then i think that's the only circumstance in which one can commit suicide without being mentally ill. it's important to remember that even depression is a mental illness. depression is a chemical imbalance in one's brain, and that's not different than some conventional sicknesses (e.g. stress can cause a chemical imbalance in one's stomach which can lead to physical sickness). i think that too many of us fear the stigma of the phrase "mental illness" and therefore play down things that are truly mental illnesses.
735717
The answer is no, but don't be misled here.  There is ALWAYS a cause for depression.  It's just that the cause may not be apparent.  Yes, people who experience the loss of a child, close family member, or beloved pet can become depressed, but it's also very possible for someone who has not experienced any of the things you mentioned to develop severe depression.  \n\nYou're right -- the major cause of depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Research suggest some people are born that way, so they'll always need medication to feel "normal."  Scientists also believe that head trauma injuries to babies, infants, toddlers, and young children can cause problems with depression later in life.  Depression has also been tied to drug use -- and not just illegal drugs; we're also talking about certain prescription drugs here (but those cases are fairly rare).\n\nSo to answer your last question, it is possible for someone who has not had any devastating events happen to them to suffer from severe depression anyway.
1000816
sorry I'm not a doctor, but depression can be a physical change in the brain, typically after a stroke or head trauma physiological changes in the brain can cause depression
1046953
Anyone can experience depression, regardless of age, gender, race, creed or income. Every year millions suffer from some type of depressive illness. Although depression is common, it is a serious illness and can even lead to suicide. \n\nOne of the most common myths about depression is that it is "normal" for certain people to feel depressed – older people, young adults, new mothers, menopausal women, or those with a chronic illness. The truth is that depression is not (and should not be accepted as) a normal part of life for anyone, regardless of age or life situation.
153528
DEPRESSED. All joking aside, I believe you can type "Medical Terminology" in the Yahoo Search bar. Medical Dictionaries have a word (or more) for every condition and everything.
343741
Severe depression will usually require the help of a medical professional.  Please seek one, and you'll be much better for it.
1013187
I believe these issues have existed forever but today they are either abused, doctors just throw around the label to give someone something to hang on to or people self diagnose and give themselves the label of being depressed, anxious, etc.\n\nBut I also believe that there is more awareness these days and it's okay to talk about mental illness, or life's challenges and the effects that stress and worry have on our mental outlook. \n\nWe all have the capacity to get down now and again but that doesn't mean that we should carry about the label of being depressed. Anxiety and mood disorders effect lots of people for lots of reasons and getting to the root cause of those reasons is of utmost importance. Not just masking them.\n\nVisit www.ahealingmind.com and check out Emotional Freedom Technique for some wonderful ways to self heal.
328099
maybe depression, or any mental illness, cant really be cured, like a broken bone. maybe mental illness will always be like alcoholism or substance abuse- under control but still there.
723013
Yes I have, when I was depressed.  Don't worry about whether or not it's a sin - you've got other things to sort out.
560553
Hey Cee Jay.\n\nI too am a Christian who has battled depression. Depression is a horrible thing.  People, especially Christians, who have never fought a "true depression"  just do not understand.   I was under a severe depression for 7 years.    \n\nFirst I want to say that I do not know if the sin you were referring to was the cause of your depression.  You seem to think there is a connection.    So I am going to base my response to the clues you left in your question.   \n\nPlease, hang on to the relationship you have with Christ with all that you have within you.  Do not let your sin, or others cruelty tear you away from Jesus.  Please, even if your depression keeps you from going to church at times, hang on to Jesus.    \n\nDo not let the stress of your recurrent sin get you so down.  Use this spiritual block of yours and turn it into a stepping stone.  \n\nTake some time to be with Jesus.  Pray by talking to him in as you would anyone else.  Try to be calm while you are talking to him.  Don't be afraid to say what ever comes to your mind.    If you are being honest with him and yourself - your healing can begin.    God will not be angry with you.   \n\nMedicine did not work for me.  They may work for you.   I had to claw my way out of depression.  When you help yourself overcome depression you will be truly free.   It can be a long hard road.  But I am here if you want talk.   I hope this helped.  May God bless your jouney.
505048
Depression is more than just the normal, temporary feelings of sadness and hopelessness associated with difficult life events. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression. Common symptoms include:\n\nDepressed mood.\nInability to enjoy activities.\nProblems concentrating.\nChanges in eating habits or appetite.\nWeight gain or weight loss.\nChanges in sleeping habits.\nDifficulty going to work or taking care of your daily responsibilities because of a lack of energy.\nFeelings of guilt and hopelessness; wondering if life is worth living (common).\nSlowed thoughts and speech.\nPreoccupation with thoughts of death or suicide.\nComplaints that have no physical cause (somatic complaints) such as headache and stomachache.\n\nAll of these symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. Even if you don't have major depression, if you have experienced a few of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks you may have a less severe form of depression that still requires treatment.
143679
Depression is a veary normal thing to feal. You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel depressed in any way at one time or another. What helps is to do the basic things that depression stops you from doing. Eat a meal, Go for a walk, Talk to some one, listen to some uplifing music, write, take a bath. And if you have a faith pray.