Depression
is real, and if you are struggling with it you are not alone. Depression seems
to have been the bane of many of life’s great leaders. One of the leading reasons
of disability today, according to the World Health Organization, is depression.
Which, when increased, leads to suicidal attempts.
Writing of
this article arose from the heart saddening recent news of the Linkin Park Band
member’s suicide (hung himself) demise, of whose, until I got saved as teenager, was a fan. Other
members of the group confessed that he was suffering with depression. However,
such stories of greatly successful celebrities committing suicide are now a new
phenomenon both in Bollywood and Hollywood combined. Their money, prominence
and power could not help them fight depression they severely suffered.
Depression
(major depressive disorder) is a common and severe medical illness that
negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression
causes feelings of grief and/or a loss of curiosity in doings once relished. It
can lead to a variety of emotional and physical complications and can decrease
a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Depression
symptoms:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
A whopping
300 million people suffer from depression, while 50 million people in India
face the same problem. According to
TOI Not only do 56 million Indians -- or 4.5% of India's population -- suffer
from depression at this moment, another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety
disorders. Thus, according to the latest World Health Organisation report on
depression released on Thursday, almost 7.5% of Indians suffer from major or
minor mental disorders that require expert intervention.
In India, according
to an analysis of the 1,15,220 callers that sought counselling through the
helpline from April 2013 to March 2017, 63.17% calls in the age group of 15 and
below are linked to memory problems, exam fear and exam failure. These issues
are the highest in this age group apart from others such as family problems and
death in family. Talking
about depression surely helps as the State-run 104 Arogyavani has stopped 531
callers from attempting suicide in the last four years. According to an
analysis of 531 calls, more than half were aged between 16 and 24. Of the 291
calls from youth, 284 were students. Among the
reasons for attempting suicides, relationship issues topped the list followed
by family problems beside carrier issue, debts, failure in business etc. The analysis showed that “love failure” was the reason for
over 50% calls from youth.
DEPRESSION & GRIEF
However, its
important to note that depression Is Different From Sadness or
Grief/Bereavement. The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a
relationship is problematic experiences for a person to undergo. It is usual
for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such circumstances.
Those experiencing loss often might define themselves as being “depressed.” But
being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving course is natural
and distinctive to each individual and shares some of the same features of
depression.
Opposing to popular belief, there are a wide range of drugs, and psychological and social interventions which have been shown to be operative and they can renovate the lives of people with depression. Professionals such as psychiatrists have an array of anti-depressants (as well as other psychotropic medications) which can effectively treat moderate to severe depression, while trained psychologists can deliver psycho-social interventions such as cognitive behaviour therapy which also have similar effects. Activities such as regular exercise, meditation/relaxation techniques, practising sleep hygiene, maintaining healthy dietary habits and proactively engaging oneself in the existing social network of family members, neighbours, relatives and friends are of great help.
BIBLE AND DEPRESSION
A Few Examples of people in the Bible who suffered depression
- Abraham (Genesis 15)
- Moses was grieved over the sin of his people. Ex. 32:32
- Jonah was angry and wanted to run away. Jonah (Jonah 4)
- Job suffered through great loss, devastation, and physical illness. Job (Book of Job)
- Elijah was discouraged, weary, and afraid. Elijah (1 Kings 19)
- King Saul (I Samuel 16:14-23, etc.)
- Jeremiah wrestled with great loneliness, feelings of defeat, and insecurity. Jeremiah (Book of Jeremiah)
- David was troubled and battled deep despair. David (Psalms 6, 13, 18, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 34, 37-40, 42-43, 46, 51, 55, 62-63, 69, 71, 73, 77, 84, 86, 90-91, 94-95, 103-104, 107, 110, 116, 118, 121, 123-124, 130, 138, 139, 141-143, 146-147)
We must
fight anxiety with prayer, thanksgiving, and worship.
The Bible
tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so
God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for
someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be relieved through
God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, fellowship
among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the cognizant
effort to not be immersed in ourselves, but to turn our efforts outward.
Feelings of depression can often be resolved when those suffering with
depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This is the
first verse that I always remember when the depression knocks at the door of my
mind.
It’s impossible
to be thankful and negative at the same time. All those negative,
self-defeating thoughts will fall to the wayside the more we begin to understand
just how blessed we really are.
I recognize
that mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, have a chemical factor
to them, but I also know that our God is creator of all––creator of our bodies,
minds, and spirits. He is the One who fashioned our chemical configuration and
is fully able to bring it back into right equilibrium.
Further Readings:
http://www.ibelieve.com/health-beauty/9-steps-to-overcome-anxiety-and-depression.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/7-5-indians-suffer-from-mental-disorders-who-report/articleshow/57344807.cms
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