Christianity and Depression

[ChantyG]

Hi all
I joined this network quite a while ago but have not yet submitted anything so, basically, I'm new here!

A lady from our church jumped off a bridge a few weeks ago, into oncoming traffic below. She was a mom of 3 beautiful children aged 6, 4 and 2 years. Although I didn't know her I cried and cried and cried because I know the 'darkness' that she must have been experiencing.

I have battled with depression for over 20 years and I felt such intense emotional pain for her and her family. With negative comments in the media like, "why did she have to do it in public? Why didn't she do it somewhere else?" that obviously came from people who have never experienced clinical depression, I feel that God is calling me to inform others on the facts on depression; to try eliminate the stigma that exists, which just makes the depressed person feel even more hopeless.

I would appreciate some input from any of you who have suffered from depression, or who have family or friends who have been through something like this.

I look forward to hearing your views/opinions/comments/stories...

Chantelle

[pajarita_deDios]

I haven't heard anything about this, but it's such a horrible thing to have happened. Depression/anxiety/OCD all run in my family, in fact my grandmother at the age of three was found by her family underneath their porch cutting her wrists.

I understand how horrific a situation it is and how empty and black it feels. I have severe obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety which have cause me a lot of depression in the past. Something my grandmother (the same) always says is that nothing surprises God, and that every emotion and situation we experience is a seasoning that we need to become who we are to become.

I'm so thankful that God gave Doctors the wisdom and understanding that helped give us anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. I truly believe it is a tool He has given us to use to our advantage.

Is depression a product of our society? Probably in part, but I'd venture to say that many people suffered from it in past eras and felt forced to keep quiet and simply suffer.

I don't know the answer to suicide, but I'm involved with a wonderful organization that deals with depression, suicide and drug addiction, which all go hand in hand. To Write Love On Her Arms* was started by a group of friends whose good companion was refused admittance into any treatment facility. They took her in and council ed her themselves, sharing God's love with her and helping her to feel her worth in the world. That woman is now clean, sober and highly involved with the group that was started for her.

I hope none of the mods mind this but the here's a link to their site www.towriteloveonherarms.com
The peculiar name is part of the story and kind of awesome I think. The woman had a history of cutting and had scars up and down her arms where she had carved a profanity over and over again.

Anyway, if you want to check it out it's great. They have a really cool motto that comes from one of their band sponsors' songs, "Wake up, you're alive, we're on your side".

If you're interested in helping them out you can check out their street team at fancorps.

BTW, welcome to the family Chanty!

[Clarisse]

Hi there ChantyG,

I know about the lady that you are talking about. She was a good friend of mine. I went to her funeral and I can't begin to tell you how hard I cried.
It was sooo sad to see such a wonderful light hearted person be so utterly consumed by such a darkness as depression. I hated reading what people said about the way she died. You are right. For her to come to a point where she was willing to jump off a bridge in oncoming traffic to end the suffering, the last thing on her mind was other people's meetings etc.

She was truly one of those people that you never think it would happen to.

((*HUGS*))

In the last 2 years I have lost a couple of people to this and each time its a horrific tragedy. Ever time it happens you wonder what you could have done more to prevent or help the matter.

I have had a bad bout of depression now the last couple of months. It was terrifying because I have 2 wonderful children of my own and a husband that would move mountains for me.

A start that I can suggest and it helped get me back on tract was changing small things in my daily routine.

1) I started eating smaller healthy snacks just to keep my blood sugar regular and stable. That was really something that got me big time.
2) Try and get some propper rest in.
3) You can get a product called Resque Remedy from Dischem. Its a herbal pick-me-up and almost all the new mothers I know take this to help them get thru the first couple of grulling months.

Other than that, ask someone close to you to monitor you and your behaviour. If something happens you don't always know that you are suffering and external input can be the one thing to help you thru a hard patch.

Then one last thing tht I can also suggest, and this one works very well for me when Im seriously down, start singing! Sing praise, sing to your hearts content. In the shower, in the car, in the bath - wherever. The idea here is double purpose.
one - you are giving praise to your Maker and that is always a good thing.
two - rewiring your brain for positive thoughts and feelings.

I know this is just a beginers quicky. If this does not help, then I suggest that you seek medical advice and assistance. God created doctors and helped them with break thru's for a reason. Don't ever be shy to ask for help. There is no shame in suffering. If you had a heart condition or blood pressure issue, you'd be taking meds for that. Depression is no different and it can be a serious killer if you let it.

One thing that Aunty Pal said in the funeral that day was this: don't let someting as deadly as depression take root in your life. Fight it with all your might. Do not let the enemy win. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.


DON'T LET HIM!!!

And we're here for you if you need a shoulder.

Clarisse

[ChantyG]

Hi Clarisse
Thanks for the reply. I was also at the funeral. Although I didn't know Arina personally, I felt such a connection (being a mom who has also battled with depression), and I think I cried more than at my own mother's funeral! God works in mysterious ways and I believe that the pain I felt was God telling me to go ahead with what I have been wanting to do for many years - to tell my story...

[ChantyG]

Hi 'pajarita deDios'. Thanks for the reply. Well done for getting so involved in helping others! I think most of us have that innate desire to get involved and help wherever we can - especially in areas we have previously struggled - but many of us don't have the confidence in ourselves to take that step of faith. There are always 'what ifs'. What if I am not good enough? What if I make things worse? What if other people disagree with what I am doing? And so on. I am battling with 'what ifs' at the moment but every day I am getting confirmation from God to just take the first step and TRUST HIM!
I take my hat off to you - well done! I will take a look at the site....

[Clarisse]

I was sitting in the hall with some of my friends and everything unfolding infront of me started to feel like my own funeral. This was how it was going to be if something happened to me.

I was rattled out of my skin and when I saw Peter with the kids on stage, I snapped and just there promised to myself and God that I will fight this and lot be won, even if its the last thing I do.

Its a hard road to walk and if you dont have propper support, it can be terribly lonely. But tell your story and share with others.

I believe that we go thru trials and tribulations as teaching exersises. You now know what you are talking about when you go and councel another person. You were there, you understand and you know the way out of the darkness.

Will keep you in my prayers.

C

[ChantyG]

Thanks so much for your input, advice and prayers. If I need help I am going to track you down! :-)

[lynnmosher]

Chanty, This forum is for people to introduce themselves and say howdy. This will probably be moved as it does not belong here. I would move it for you but my powers only work in 4Believers.