All Nations Church: San Antonio, TX

Depression

Who Can Suffer From Depression?

Imagine yourself at an Historical function with Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert Schumann, Ludwig von Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh and Georgia O'Keefe. Each of these people are highly successful individuals and are internationally renound historical figures. Although they come from many different walks of life, they all battle with a familiar foe: Depression.

Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. It may, at times, feel like a heavy burden or a constant dark cloud has alighted upon you. You may find even the simplest of every day activities difficult to complete and confusing to comprehend. However, while overcoming depression isn’t quick or easy, it’s far from impossible. You can’t beat it through sheer willpower, but you do have some control—even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key to depression recovery is to start small and build from there. Feeling better takes time, but you can make a lot of progress if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of others.

If you are in the throws of depression, or feel that you are helpless or hopeless, despair is not a good person to befriend. It may be extremely difficult to ignore despair's suggestions and advice, however, please read on to find support and advice from hope and life.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
you feel worthless and hopeless
you can't sleep enough, or you sleep too much
you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
you are constantly irritated or become enraged even at small things – and this is new for you
you have thoughts that life is not worth living, or have a plan for how you would end it (Seek help immediately if this is the case)

Forms of Depression

Depression may present itself in various forms and may respond differently to varying situations. Depression has many faces. It may be the face of a mother whose child has not been sleeping. It may be the face of a teenager struggling with self-image, or self-esteem. It may be the man who was fired from his job last week, or the woman who has been long-term unemployed. It could be the child who has gone through the pain of divorce, or the elderly woman who has lost her mobility and agility. It may be the man who has arrived at middle age and is searching for meaning. Never assume that what you are experiencing is not relevant or that it does not have a place. It does have a place, it is relevant and it is very important.

Depression may be onset by a situation, place or thing, or it may simply be caused by a natural chemical imbalance within a person's own body chemistry. Whatever the reason, or whatever the cause, there is help out there and there is hope.

Hope is found time and time again on the pages of scripture. For example:

'Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the LORD!' Psalm 31:24

'Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why do you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, who is the help of my (sad) countenance, and my God.' Psalm 43:5

'The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.' Lamentations 3:24

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.' Romans 5:13

Coping and Support

Talking with someone is a great and positive step to make. Make an appointment to speak with your doctor, pastor, or therapist about the challenges you are facing, and consider these tips to cope with your depression in the meantime:

Do not expect too much from yourself too soon, as this will only accentuate feelings of failure.
Break up your larger tasks in to smaller ones and complete them as you feel you are able/ready to.
Consider writing in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
Recognize your mood patterns. If you find that mornings are the worst time of day for you, then attempt to shcedule your day so that the demands on your energy level and time are less at that time of day and are more later in the day.
Don't become isolated. Try to participate in normal activities and get together with family or friends regularly. Go to church, see a movie, talk to others on the phone, go out to eat; there are many activities you can that can help you from becoming isolated.
Exercise is important, as it can be instituted to help increase those chemicals in the brain that help cognition, such as dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In short, the natural chemical results of exercise can help your body produce the natural chemistry needed in order to help naturally elevate your mood.
Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep.
Join a support group for people with depression so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.
Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from depression is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your illness and working toward your goals, however, try not to be disappointed if your depression does not recede as rapidly as you would like it to. As with all healing, it may take some time.
Try not to make important decisions when you're in the depths of depression, as life may appear very different to you once you have walked the road of recovery.

Recovering from depression requires action. But taking action when you’re depressed is hard. In fact, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like exercising or going out with friends, can be exhausting.

It’s the Catch-22 of depression recovery. The things that help the most are the things that are most difficult to do. But there’s a difference between difficult and impossible.