Did you know that the Bible talks about anxiety and depression? I did not know this and was surprised recently when I read it in my Bible.
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12: 25
My hope today is that this article will be seen as "a good word" and be helpful for you or someone you know suffering from depression.
Jenni's Story of Hope~
I have suffered from anxiety and depression, but mainly depression, my entire life since I was a teenager. Now I'm in my early 40s. Off and on I struggled. Eventually it would go away, so I'd b relieved and glad. I thought I was "healed." But, the very nature of depression is that it comes and goes. That's part of its nature. So, one day while I was living overseas, all the pressures of life, and all the sudden changes I was experiencing, caused me to enter into one of the darkest seasons of y life. Despair. I plunged into a vacuum of darkness. a Hopelessness. I wanted to end my life. But I knew I had a problem, so after 3 days of continuous sleeping, without eating, and having turned off my phone, I turned for help. I went in to see my doctor. That was the best decision I ever made. I believe God led me to that decision.
My doctor listened to me describe my symptoms and feelings. He referred me to a specialized doctor who could help me more.
I met with a pastor for counsel and my friends were great!! They gave me counsel from the Word of God. They spent time with me to make sure I wasn't alone. The psychiatrist gave me anti-depressants and anxiety medicine. And I tried to do things that would contribute to a healthy lifestyle such as exercise, socializing and finding hobbies. It was a dark time indeed, but I grew. I learned that with any problem, there's always light at the end of the tunnel. It won't always be dark! I also learned that people loved me and cared about me. I learned to be vulnerable with other people. I learned to open up and share my problems with them.
I learned that God is bigger than our darkness, depression, and problems. I learned that there are "triggers" to watch out for! These "riggers" come in the form of stress or problems to me, and, if I don't deal properly with them can lead me down a dark road ahead again. The good news is that now I've learned to be aware of the triggers and get help sooner if I need to!
A lot of people helped me, and prayed for me during that time. Now its' time for me to give back and help others!
You're Not Alone
If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety and/or depression, it's important to realize that you're not alone! God reassures us of this from His Word. In Matthew28 Jesus tells his disciples, "I am with you always..." You are not alone. Jesus is with you. Also, lot of other people have suffered from depression too. You're not the only one. You can get help. You can get treatment. There are lots of support groups around for people who suffer from anxiety/depression. At the end of this article I will list some of those websites.
Also, if you have not told anyone yet, I cannot urge you enough to do so! There are friends and family in you life, that, if they knew you were suffering, would want to help you!!! But yo have to take the 1st step by being vulnerable and letting them in. Finally, a lot of people have gone through this, myself included. So, know that you're not alone. Lots of people have experienced depression, and are willing to help you.
Getting the Help You Need
The following are practical suggestions so that yu don't have to suffer alone with depression. Get the help you need. There's no shame in doing so. One of my friends from S. Africa (Jen) told me this: If a person has an illness, they go see a doctor. If its a broken arm, or a broken leg, they see a doctor, and he can fixit. So, too with depression, its the same thing. It's an illness and you can see a doctor for treatment! Don't let there be a stigma preventing you from getting help.
So, here are some things I recommend:
1. Talk with a trusted pastor or home group leader. They'll often be supportive , and NOT AT ALL SURPRISED by your revelation, or secret. They're trained and accustomed to helping people. In my case I met with a pastor for lunch. He was able to listen to me and help me sort out how I was doing.
2. Seek medical/professional help. See a doctor. Doctors know what symptoms to look for. They are trained professionals and know how to help. In my case, once I saw my psychiatrist he was so kind to me! He told me he'd continue to see me as long as I was living in a foreign land, until I got back to y home land. He spoke these words of HOPE into me!!! He also said my case was only mild, and "not that serious." In my mind I thought I was pretty messed up, but, he's seen lots of patients. He know the normal spectrum scale better that I did! He explained to me that one reason he felt my case was "mild-not serious" is because I was able to talk about it. I could articulate and explain what I was going through. Some patients weren't able to do that. He also counseled me on lifestyle practices. He encouraged me to exercise, socialize and have hobbies. When we met he was an excellent listener.
3. Tell your story tell your struggles, to others. This breaks the power of shame and depression. This brings your problem into the light where it can be dealt with. As I began to share y story with others, an amazing thing happened. Shame lifted right off of me. For years I had never told anyone of my personal battles with depression. I felt too ashamed of it. In the past I would try or start to get help from professional counselors but then shame would overpower me and I shut down.
As I began to share my story, it got easier and easier. Others in turn would counsel me from the Word of God. I'm sure many people from my church were praying for me. When we tell our stories to others it opens the way for our own healing, and theirs as well. Others also began to open up with their problems or struggles with depression. These talking sessions were not only good for me, but others began to be helped too by talking/admitting their problems to each other. We began to "carry each others burdens." It was hard to be vulnerable at first, but, for some reason I didn't care any more about the shame or stigma I felt. I was more concerned with doing whatever needed to be done so that I could become well. Part of the healing process for me was including others in on my dark secret, being vulnerable and open with my despair. Yet that was one of the very things that opened the door into healing for me. People came alongside me in support. Amazing!
4. Finally, get educated...learn more about anxiety and depression. The good news is you can get help! You don't have to live in despair for the rest of your life. There are people who care about you. And, one day you are going to help others with the same problem.
Learning about depression dispels myth from fact. For example, I thought I was a terrible person since I suffered from depression. That I was terrible. But, the truth is that depression is an illness and can be treated!!! You're not a "weirdo" just because you're suffering. So get educated. Learn all you can about it.
"Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25
May this article/blog be like "a good word" and make your heart glad! There is help available if you or someone you know is suffering from depression. You don't have to suffer alone. God is with you. God cares for you. God wants to comfort you. God wants to help you. Be willing to be vulnerable. See a doctor. See a pastor. Help is waiting for you. I've been there. I've been down that road. And, I say to you today, "Cheer up! There's light ahead for you at the end of the tunnel." I'll say it again: There's light ahead!! Have hope!!
Resources:
National Institute for Mental Health
