so when someone suffers depression based on your beliefs what would you say to them?
914865
I have an identical twin sister who has stuggled with clinical depression for many years. We are both Christians. For many years, I, who have never been diagnosed with any mental illness, thought she should just "snap out of it", have some faith, and pick herself up by the bootstraps.  It wasn't till I got an udnerstanding of what depression was that I began to understand the physical and spiritual dynamics of depression.  Some people can battle a temporary depression that is sometimes due to events in their life, past issues of hurt, etc.  And sometimes those periods of depression are spiritual in nature, because depression not only affects the mind, but can very much affect one's spirit.  They don't always have their origins in the spirit realm.  Other times, there is, indeed, a spirit of depression that the enemy will bring to try and destroy a child of God.  If a spiritual depression goes too long unattended, it is very possible for the brain to develop an chemical imbalance as well.  There, of course, is clinical depression, that originates in the person's mind and is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.  \n\nThe LAST thing someone who is struggling with depression needs is a well meaning brother or sister in Christ telling them, "Have faith!"  "Believe God for healing"  Too often, those of us who don't struggle with mental illness shake our heads at the mentally ill.  And God forbid a Christian should struggle with depression and need to take meds either temporarily or permanently.  Surely they don't have enough faith in God!  Surely they did something to bring this upon themselves!  Yeah, they said that to Job too.  How do you beileve God for healing when you can't even make it out of bed some days?  How do you find your way to the mountaintop of faith, when the chemicals in your mind cause you to feel like you are in the abyss?  That's the time when, we who are spiritual, should pray for them, help them in any practical way, and carry the load for them if God instructs us to.  Make no mistake, people HAVE been miraculously healed by God from dperession.  More often than not, God relys on us to walk thru WHATEVER he has seen fit to allow in our lives.  WHY?  Because somewhere along our journey, we will find someone who is struggling at that moment with what God has already brought us through.  If you know someone who is battling with depression, LOVE THEM right where they are.  Don't wait for them to get "better".
127539
IT'S VERY EASY FOR SOMEONE TO TELL YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE AND WATCH MOVIES TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER. THE TRUTH IS WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT, THEY DON'T CARE AND DON'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH YOUR SITUATION. IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY HOW TO GET OVER DEPRESSION,BECAUSE ITS LIKE CANCER VERY DEADLY.MY BEST ANSWER TO YOU IS, TALK TO GOD AND BELIEVE IN HIM THAT HE WILL HELP YOU. NOTHING NOR NO-ONE IS TOO MUCH OR POWERFUL FOR HIM.GOD CAN HEAL ALL THINGS,ALONG WITH DEPRESSION. ASK HIM TO LIFT THAT FROM YOUR BODY,MIND,AND SOUL,AND YOU WILL BE HEALED. TRUST HIM AND ONLY HIM AND HE WILL MAKE A WAY.
1001555
Apologize profusely for not believing, but I would plead my case and explain that all that I have done in my life would add up to the same. And that in all cases I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who stands by their religion. I learned a long time ago that nothing should change the way you feel about your convictions, not even angels, because the evil one can disguise himself as an angel of light.
53690
Just be honest with him and talk about your symptoms and /or feelings that you think are creating your depression.  I wouldn't go as far as leaning on him to help "cure" you, but hopefully he will be there for you while you take that on yourself.  If you are unable to conquer this on your own, please seek some outside professional help.
138819
Well from personal experience, be a good listener for them.  Encourage them to talk to you or anyone that they can trust about what is bothering them.  Above all don't let them fall through the cracks.  Encourage them to keep doing the things that they need to like go to work if they have a job or go to class if they are in school.  If they stop doing these things, matters will only get worse.  For example, if they get fired because they haven't been going to work that will add to their depression because then they feel like they are worthless, so to speak.
1157488
I would be probably saddened.  I would tell them that I love them no matter what.  Just because I don't agree with something , it doesn't mean that I dont have to support them.
1075391
Must you?\nWhy not just live the best life you can, and if they remark on your improved character, behavior, serenity, or whatever, you can then let them know it's the result of your belief system.\nI always think your religious beliefs are very personal, and see no need to tell others about them.
390692
Totally know what you mean...  Depending on what you're telling them, they may be finding it too difficult or awkward to deal with on the spot, and so their natural reaction is to walk away.  And there's a fair chance they just don't know what to say to you and feel really really awkward.  Also, keep in mind that, while being told people are going to pray for you can get annoying really fast, that they say it because they want you to know they care, and they generally don't know how else to say it.\nHope things work out for you, and I hope you find someone you can share your thoughts with when you want to, and I hope you get over your depression and feel better.
209038
If someone is suicidal or/and depressed LISTEN TO THEM. Do not tell them it is all in there minds. Don't say that there lives are so much better than everyone elses.\nDo not ignore them. listen and take them seriously.\n\nYou humans have a lot to learn...
1033674
the problem with a question like this is that there are a thousand different ways to answer it.\n\nA religious person will tell you that he needs their religion in his life to help him better deal with his problems and find himself.\n\nA sheep in the flock of society will tell you that therapy will help him find peace and deal with his emotions.\n\nA doctor will shove pills in his hands and bill him for them.\n\nAn Alarmist will tell him it's all in his head, or that our shallow society isn't allowing his self-fulfillment like it does for the rest of the flock. \n\nYou ask a hundred different people and you'll get a hundred and one different answers.\n\nso instead of asking people that don't know your friend, talk it over with him, ask him what he thinks will work and what he wants to try. If he wants to go to a therapist let him decide. And if screaming into a pillow is his thing and that works for him, there is no reason some anonymous person on Yahoo! needs to tell him otherwise.
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
520521
Personally I would want someone to tell me. I mean really you could be saving someones life by telling them that. If they get an attitude just apologize and figure you probably won't see them again so who cares but I would definitely say something if I were in your shoes.
72235
Make your friend understand that you are here for him/her and that sadness or bad situations never last, try to give him/her hope and if it's really serious advise him/her to see a doctor who could bring light to such mental ordeal(hope you understand what I mean)
762497
as you are very depressed
166467
I have a friend that was going through severe deppression and she didn't think anything was wrong with her. Her life was falling apart and she was pushing everyone that loved her away. I talked to her about different things that were going on in her life; I gradually pointed out some things she could do to help change them. I also gave her examples of my own experiences with depression and was able to help her relate to many of them with her life. I was able after several discussions; that maybe she should call her Dr. and discuss what is going on with her. When she was able to bring herself to do this , she realized that many of the problems were in her head and not what she thought they were. But, in the end it has to be that person willing to recognize that they are ill and need treatment. Until then all you can do is be supportive, loving, and truthful. The best friend is one who can be honest in a non-threatening, loving manner.
694008
you probably have depression
821049
Whatever you have, you got from God. Anyone who would put you down for this would also put down a blind person, or a person of color, or people with disease, God provided all of these things.\nEach of us should think of what we don't like about ourselves and imagine what he is going thru.