Do you think one can overcome depression Biblically? (addiction, therapy, depressed)

[lilyflower3191981]

I've dated a guy who had suffered severe depression and eventually took his life. I also have a family member who suffers from severe depression and thought about killing herself. These two people were/are both deeply religious folks.

According to numerous of studies, several factors might contribute to depression.

Nutrient deficiency / Drug addiction / Hormonal imbalance / past traumatic personal experiences / psychological factors / heavy metals / Brain chemical imbalance

Another study concluded that virtually all depressed people have a significant decrease in the frontal lobe’s blood flow and activity. (sorry cannot really remember the source)

Many religious people believe that one can overcome depression just by having faith. My own interpretation to that statement is that one can overcome depression Biblically.

I wonder if they (religious people) believe depression is primarily spiritually induced. If that is the case, then people should not get better from therapy or medications.

Do you believe one can overcome depression naturally? Do you believe one can overcome depression Bibically?

[lovesMountains]

lily, I think it really depends on the kind of depression a person is suffering from.

"the blues" kind of depression isn't a medical condition so much as it's a social condition - a relationship breaks up, a grandparent dies, etc.

This kind of depression can be helped "biblically", or just through faith.

But major depression - suicidal thoughts especially - is a medical condition.

And all medical conditions require treatment by a combination of medications, physicians and therapies.

[lilyflower3191981]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

lily, I think it really depends on the kind of depression a person is suffering from.

"the blues" kind of depression isn't a medical condition so much as it's a social condition - a relationship breaks up, a grandparent dies, etc.

This kind of depression can be helped "biblically", or just through faith.

But major depression - suicidal thoughts especially - is a medical condition.

And all medical conditions require treatment by a combination of medications, physicians and therapies.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) (also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder; or as recurrent depression in the case of repeated episodes) is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood which is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Major depressive disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So for this type of depression, I do wonder if one can actually be helped by faith alone.

[hawaiian by heart]

Originally Posted by lilyflower3191981

Major depressive disorder (MDD) (also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder; or as recurrent depression in the case of repeated episodes) is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood which is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Major depressive disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So for this type of depression, I do wonder if one can actually be helped by faith alone.

No i believe and from the guys who i mentor who have issues like this, is that faith, meds, are just a few tools needed to battle theses types of disorders, often therapy is helpful and healthy exercise and eating. Its a disability that needs to be treatted with various therapys.

[lilyflower3191981]

Originally Posted by hawaiian by heart

No i believe and from the guys who i mentor who have issues like this, is that faith, meds, are just a few tools needed to battle theses types of disorders, often therapy is helpful and healthy exercise and eating. Its a disability that needs to be treatted with various therapys.

It sounds right to me.

[hawaiian by heart]

Originally Posted by lilyflower3191981

It sounds right to me.

From what im told whats so terrible about these disorders is that it attacks your will power. I know guys who are aware of whats going on and want and know what to do to change but just can't muster the willpower to take action.

[kat949]

Originally Posted by lilyflower3191981

I've dated a guy who had suffered severe depression and eventually took his life. I also have a family member who suffers from severe depression and thought about killing herself. These two people were/are both deeply religious folks.

According to numerous of studies, several factors might contribute to depression.

Nutrient deficiency / Drug addiction / Hormonal imbalance / past traumatic personal experiences / psychological factors / heavy metals / Brain chemical imbalance

Another study concluded that virtually all depressed people have a significant decrease in the frontal lobe’s blood flow and activity. (sorry cannot really remember the source)

Many religious people believe that one can overcome depression just by having faith. My own interpretation to that statement is that one can overcome depression Biblically.

I wonder if they (religious people) believe depression is primarily spiritually induced. If that is the case, then people should not get better from therapy or medications.

Do you believe one can overcome depression naturally? Do you believe one can overcome depression Bibically?

If it makes sense the person and makes them happy with undue harm to self and others, then yes, I think depression can be cured if someone's religious and finds faith through practice.

I personally cannot see how the bible is the only curative Rx for depression. How about the Veydas? Jewish scriptures? Book of the Dead?

By "healing depression Biblically" I hope that's also not a way to discount other religions.

In general, if religion helps some then cool. I personally am not religious and find it stunts my own personal growth, because I like to question and do not like to be told not to. Often times, most religions do require a level of faith without question. And, the only religion I find that encourages questioning from all angles is Buddhism, but even then I dislike tradition/religion, and being raised Catholic? I can vouch to say played a huge part of my depression.

[ScooterMcTavish]

As someone who suffers from MDD, and who is also a Christian, my answer is no. I'm assuming the OP is referring to MDD when they state "depression" - like lovesMountains pointed out, faith is there for those down times when you're dispirited, not for major psychological issues.

In fact, I have a very strong issue with a number of people I know from a Charismatic/Evangelical congregation who try and pray away things like depression and cancer. There's even some mysticism as to the origins of these things (i.e. demonic possession). This does not help the person - if anything you could say these well-meaning people are making the issue worse by delaying treatment for the individual.

[katie45]

"Reactive Depression" is the result of an event, or series of events that effects one's moods/attitude.

"Clinical Depression" is the result of chemical imbalance in the brain, and only medication can be an aid in relieving the symptoms. And as we know, it can take quite some time to find the right med/dosage, and many patients give up due to the adverse side effects and not getting immediate relief.

Would reading the Bible and having faith actually cure clinical depression? I don't have all the answers regarding faith and physical healing, but if it would work for anyone, that would truly be a wonderful miracle.

Too many people nowadays freak out at the first sign of 'reactive depression' and want anti-depressant drugs instead of taking some time to sort out what is causing their negative emotions and putting things into perspective, and solving those issues.

[jtur88]

Yes, and also Koranically and Laotzuically and Upanishdically and Zennically and Scientologically and Voodooically and Stonehengically, if you believe in them to be spiritually uplifting..

They may or may not cure depression, depending on whether the present symptoms of depression are systemic or experiential.