Fasting to get rid of depression?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
I

Iliveforthelord

Guest
#1
I've never fasted in my life. I've tried one time and I couldn't do it. I was diagnosed with being severely depressed and it just seems to be getting worst. I know Satan has been working on me EXTRA hard the past 2 days and I can't take it anymore. I'm already on anti-depressants and am involved in church. I've heard that fasting can really help heal you. Is this true? And if so, does anyone have any advice for it? I'd be fasting tomorrow.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#2
I think fasting is just going to mess up your blood sugar and make you worse.

By dropping your blood sugar, it will cause very low energy... thus a feeling of lethargy (exhaustion/listlessness).
More specifically, it's going to drop your glycogen level, which your body needs for brain functioning and alertness.

Basically, if you're suffering from depression, I'm guessing that stopping your food intake will probably make the depression worse.

I'm not a doctor, but I know we have a lot of nurses around here, probably a few doctors as well.
Maybe someone else can jump in and give some better advice.
 
Z

zaoman32

Guest
#3
You can fast from other things than just food. The thing is fasting is something that needs to be taken seriously and handled with a lot of prayer. Could fasting help? Maybe. Keep in mind too that a lot of times in our greatest weaknesses is where God usually shines the brightest. Pray for deliverance and for God to use what you're going through for his glory in the mean time.
 

DuchessAimee

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2011
3,922
129
63
#4
Hi, I'm not a nurse, but that's the track I'm on. Let me offer you some sound advice. Do not fast from food to solve this problem. It will not do you any good. Here's a list why:


1) Food provides you with serotonin which is the body's natural anti-depressant. Serotonin tells your brain that you're satisfied. When you're hungry your dopamine levels are up telling your body that you're motivated to eat the food you need. Once you've started eating your dopamine level goes down and your serotonin level starts to go up. When you're full, your serotonin level says, "Okay. I'm happy and satisfied."

2) Max makes a good point. You need food to stabilize your glucose levels. Without it, you'll have sugar spikes, or sugar crashes which aid in the depression cycle.

3) In order for your meds to work to the best of their ability, you need food.

4) Your medical professional wouldn't advise you to fast when you're severely depressed.

5) One of the best treatments for depression is physical activity. I'm not telling you to go out and run 5 miles. :) But you need the energy to get out of bed, to get in the shower, to go to church. Food gives you the energy to do that.


I've dealt with depression. I've dealt with heavy depression. Chances are I know what you're feeling... even if it's to a small degree. Please trust the information I've given you. Things can get better.


Just one more thing. I'm proud of you. You decided to do some research and ask for some counsel. That takes guts, girl!


you-is-kind.jpg
 
O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#5
yeah go ahead and eat normally but remember you do not have depression.
THATS RIGHT!

you were not made that way! satan has nothing on you because we walk by faith. therefore we do not walk by sight. therefore what ever you think you "see" or "feel" is a lie that satan is trying to decieve.

he has no power because jesus conquered him on the cross 2000 years ago!
IT IS FINISHED
you ARE healed by Jesus because your sins are forgiven.

- you do not have depression because you were made in the image of god.

- the image of god is the fruit of the spirit.

- the fruit of the spirit is love kindness patience goodness joy long suffering and i cant remember the last one.

THE SPIRIT THAT LIVED IN JESUS LIVES IN YOU, AND PART OF THAT SPIRIT IS JOY!

fasting is good! because all that time spent fasting is time spent with the GOD of the universe! how cool is that? the god of the universe wants to be your best friend forever. and he already is. just believe dude.

Its easy to believe something thats already true. the work on the cross is finished. satan has been conquered.
 

dliz

Filipino Room/Forum Moderator
Jun 13, 2012
1,004
8
38
#6
I don't think I can do fasting,it will only make me depressed. haha. why don't you try eating chocolates? It releases endorphins(happy hormones) in your brain that makes you happy and also the sugar in the chocolate may reduce stress.... :) And do some exercise. If you are feeling depressed then you must exercise, it will somehow reduce your depression and it's a good way of diverting your attention from your problem... :) And most importantly, never cease praying. Jesus Christ is the remedy to all the pain and hurt. God bless! :p
 
Apr 29, 2013
23
1
0
#7
Fasting is great if you know what you're doing. I can see why it is Biblical and why one would fast for understanding. Really clears up the mind. Think about it, we're the only living creatures who eat or put chemicals(medicine) into our body to suppress underlying issues or ailments. Juice fasting would probably be best starting out. You are what you eat. I can speak from personal experience. It's unfortunately a forgotten miracle in modern society. Best of luck to you :)
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#8
Fasting does not have to be correlated to abstaining from food, specifically. The goal is to starve the flesh; you could abstain from playing video games, going to the bar/club, from reading romance novels found in the bargain bin, etc. :p

However you go about it, make sure to give supplication. You're leaning on Him to help you fight the temptation and to maintain abstinence, no matter how much the flesh starves for it or how the enemy attempts to allure you.
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#9
I'll throw in my two cents and agree with those who suggest fasting from other things than food.
(Though you can of course choose to stay away from sweets if you normally eat that).

Remember: The whole point of fasting is to focus on God! :)
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
591
113
#10
Antidepressant take 3-4 weeks before you will feel any benefit, DO NOT abstain from food and eat a normal HEALTHY diet, also, 60 minutes of brisk walking every day will be beneficial. DO NOT stop taking your antidepressants just because you feel better after a time, make sure you finish the course of medication under your doctors supervision. Do not listen to ignorant Christians who tell you to stop taking your medication, no matter what reason they give. Do go and get prayer for the healing of it from a Christian with a PROVEN healing ministry.

Yahweh Shalom
 
S

Shiloah

Guest
#11
I've never fasted in my life. I've tried one time and I couldn't do it. I was diagnosed with being severely depressed and it just seems to be getting worst. I know Satan has been working on me EXTRA hard the past 2 days and I can't take it anymore. I'm already on anti-depressants and am involved in church. I've heard that fasting can really help heal you. Is this true? And if so, does anyone have any advice for it? I'd be fasting tomorrow.
I'd have to agree with Maxwell here. Bad idea to fast when you're fighting depression. In fact, eat super healthy and exercise if you can. Exercise produces natural endorphins, you know. Those make you happy. I realize when you're depressed, it's awfully hard to get yourself to do anything, but the funny thing is, that's what you need to do to get over depression. By the way, take vitamin D, 5,000 mg a day, in fact. When I've been depressed, inevitably when I took a blood test, my vitamin D was almost nill. It makes a big difference to take it. It was my doctor that told me to take 5,000 mg. You could even have your blood tested to see if you are low. But it won't hurt to take the vitamin D anyway.
 
D

danschance

Guest
#12
I've never fasted in my life. I've tried one time and I couldn't do it. I was diagnosed with being severely depressed and it just seems to be getting worst. I know Satan has been working on me EXTRA hard the past 2 days and I can't take it anymore. I'm already on anti-depressants and am involved in church. I've heard that fasting can really help heal you. Is this true? And if so, does anyone have any advice for it? I'd be fasting tomorrow.

Fasting plus prayer might just help out. I would talk it over with your doctor first to make sure you understand that fasting might increase your depression.

There is another type of fasting used by some diabetics. It's a good way to eat and keep your calroies up and still "fast".

Here is the Diabetic fast:
1) No sweets
2) No comfort foods
3) No potatoes
4) No bread or pasta
5) No beef or pork
6) Eat only chicken of fish for meats.
7) Eat only rice for carbs.
8) Eat all the green leafy non-starchy veggies you wish.
9) Drink nothing but water

I have tried this fast and the first day or two is easy. Then I found myself craving beef, potatoes and sweets. It is a very good fast that does not limit calories and in your case, I would suggest this. Fasting might make depression worse.

They say depression is anger related. You might wish to read a book from a Christian perspective on anger. Here is a link to a book I think you might benefit from:

Amazon.com: The Anger Workbook: A 13-Step Interactive Plan to Help You... (Minirth-Meier Clinic Series) (9780840745743): Les Carter, Dr. Frank Minirth: Books
 
K

karinadelander

Guest
#13
Sorry to hear that you are in depression. It is just a phase, you will be out of it soon. And if you are very particular about fasting, you need not necessarily be taking up food fasting. It could be anything which you are addicted to. For instance I took up facebook fasting for over a month recently, and it was very difficult to survive without facebook. I was dangerously addicted to it, but somehow managed to survive without it. Depression could possibly be due to the biological reasons, so it would be ideal if you could go for foot massage therapy or naturopathic medicine. Read the Holy Bible daily, and meditate on what you read. Never miss your personal prayer and be with positive people. You will be okay soon for He knows the plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. So be strong. He will make all things beautiful in His time! :)
 
Feb 5, 2013
388
19
18
#14
Fasting is not good in your case. I have to agree also from others here .Much better if you continue your medication prescribed by the doctor. Fasting is spending time with God intimately but it depends upon the situation. There is a time for fasting but not from this moment in your case.

You can still talk to God through reading the Bible and constant prayer without making any hunger strike. Trust me...He knows what you've been through. Do not seek for fasting...do not seek for faith...JUST LOOK ON TO JESUS-THE GREAT HEALER !!!
 
J

jinx

Guest
#15
depression is not always a spirit, it can be a chemical imbalance also! take the medication.

I never understand why people always think that it is a spirit on them. the brain is an organ too, it's needs a tune up also, just like the rest of our organs!
 
J

jinx

Guest
#16
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to maxwel again.


I think fasting is just going to mess up your blood sugar and make you worse.

By dropping your blood sugar, it will cause very low energy... thus a feeling of lethargy (exhaustion/listlessness).
More specifically, it's going to drop your glycogen level, which your body needs for brain functioning and alertness.

Basically, if you're suffering from depression, I'm guessing that stopping your food intake will probably make the depression worse.

I'm not a doctor, but I know we have a lot of nurses around here, probably a few doctors as well.
Maybe someone else can jump in and give some better advice.
 
J

jinx

Guest
#17
you have never had chemical depression have you. there is spiritual depression and then there is chemical depression, the kind you have when your body lacks in certain chemicals that keep your ticker working good.

if a baby came out of it's mothers womb with a failing heart, would you tell those parents that "your baby is made in the image of GOD and it's heart is not failing!"

if you do, then I feel bad for ya.

same goes with the brain, it has chemicals, if it doesn't have the right amount of chemicals, or if the reuptake factor is failing, then you have problems.

please don't comment if your opinion isn't with insight of personal experience with chemical depression cause it's not helpful.

thank you. :)



yeah go ahead and eat normally but remember you do not have depression.
THATS RIGHT!

you were not made that way! satan has nothing on you because we walk by faith. therefore we do not walk by sight. therefore what ever you think you "see" or "feel" is a lie that satan is trying to decieve.

he has no power because jesus conquered him on the cross 2000 years ago!
IT IS FINISHED
you ARE healed by Jesus because your sins are forgiven.

- you do not have depression because you were made in the image of god.

- the image of god is the fruit of the spirit.

- the fruit of the spirit is love kindness patience goodness joy long suffering and i cant remember the last one.

THE SPIRIT THAT LIVED IN JESUS LIVES IN YOU, AND PART OF THAT SPIRIT IS JOY!

fasting is good! because all that time spent fasting is time spent with the GOD of the universe! how cool is that? the god of the universe wants to be your best friend forever. and he already is. just believe dude.

Its easy to believe something thats already true. the work on the cross is finished. satan has been conquered.
 
W

woka

Guest
#18
We have 2 main chemicals in the braine dopahmine and seratonin, seratonin is the happy chemical, makes life easier to cope with, let's us rationally work through things, depression is usually associated with a shortage of seratonin. There is a natural suppliment that you can take called 5htp it can sometimes make you feel a bit nauseau's so I would suggest you take it in the morning after breakfast. Another mineral diffeciency that is very important to avoid is mineral's so I would suggest that you take a good quality calcium and magnesium suppliment in the evening's before you go to bed, it helps you sleep but is not a sleep aid at all, just relaxes the body in a natural form.

Vitamin B deficiency can also lead to the blues so a good vitamin B would go a long way. My hubby avoids sweets, if he has them they are only the really good quality dark chocolates, he does not do added colourants and avoid msg and preservatives, they leads him into a state of not being able to get out of bed, and if he does he is a bear with a soar head. The previous comment made on your question about fasting is correct, it would not be advisable to do a fasting, as it will lead to low blood sugar which in turn will lead to more depression.

Let me encourage you by saying the Lord does heal even in this day and age, he leads us to vitamins, he leads us to good food choices. The Lord NEVER made a snicker bar tree in the garden of Eden I think He was trying to tell us something from way back then, about our bodies, food and vitamins and minerals.
Should you want to chat more, please feel free to email me. God Bless
 
D

DragonSlayer

Guest
#19
Indeed, fasting could help you getting rid of the evil spirits of depression,
but you must be accompanied by professionals to do it,
never fast alone !
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="class: pos_inhalt"][h=1]" Scientific documentary on fasting(04/24/12)
[/h][h=3]Fasting as medical therapy is now experiencing a revival thanks to the groundbreaking research by Professor Valter Longo in the areas of anti-aging and cancer therapy.[/h][h=2]“The Science of Fasting” TV Documentary on ARTE[/h]The Franco-German television channel ARTE aired an excellent scientific documentary on fasting. Produced by the renowned French documentary duo, Sylvie Gilman and Thierry Vincent de Lestrade, the program examines the potential role to be played by fasting in the healthcare systems of industrialized countries, including in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer, and as a way to reduce the explosive overconsumption of pharmaceuticals.

In presenting fasting as a proven complementary therapy, the film spotlights five major centers of fasting science and therapy: In Germany, the film profiles the Buchinger Clinic in Überlingen, as well as the Department of Natural Medicine at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin. At the Buchinger Clinics in Überlingen and Marbella, more than 250,000 fasting therapies have been medically supervised in the last 60 years. The Buchinger Clinics are Europe’s largest clinics for therapeutic fasting and have profound experience in the medical applications of fasting. At the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique in Strasbourg, France, Professor Yvon Le Maho and his team use the latest technology to investigate instinctive fasting in the animal kingdom.

Hundreds of publications have shown that the ability to fast is a natural physiological adaptation of humans and animals to life on the planet Earth. The availability of food changes from winter to summer, and therefore a succession of eating and fasting periods is absolutely normal. Doctors and clinics in Russia have amassed extensive knowledge and experience in therapeutic fasting, including a wealth of scientific publications during the Soviet era that have never been translated and remain virtually unknown outside Russia. In the United States, there is a tradition of fasting in the alternative scene. Fasting as medical therapy is now experiencing a revival thanks to the groundbreaking research by Professor Valter Longo at the University of Southern California, in the areas of anti-aging and cancer therapy (see above). "
source : Buchinger Bodensee: Scientific documentary on fasting

If you understand some French or if you know some French speaking people who can explain you the documentary, here's the youtube link to this very informative and revolutionary documentary :
Le jeûne, une nouvelle thérapie - YouTube

In this documentary, many decades ago, a Russian doctor made the incredible discovery many mental and physiological diseases could be cured by fasting ! When fasting is done efficiently accompanied by professionals, it does not make the body weaker, but in the contrary it makes it stronger because the stress put in the body by fasting awakes certain hidden mechanisms to make the body and mind stronger !

Besides, Jesus Himself told his disciples than the hardest demons can be overcomed with fasting and prayers only ! That means fasting and prayers really work ! Just give it a try you won't regret it ! I, myself, got naturally healed ( that means without surgery )from an inguinal scrotal hernia by reducing my meals frequency to two times only a day, nothing eaten between meals, and by using fluoride-free toothpaste !
Fluoride is a bio-cumulative and systemic poison and is very noxious and very pernicious !
Avoid fluoride and OGM products at all costs for your own life and safety !

Be truly happy in the Lord's Will my sister !


[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
D

DragonSlayer

Guest
#20
Ok, I meant to avoid GMO products at all costs, not OGM ( it's OGM in French, I forgot the difference in English)