depression advice

  • 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.

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
#21
Idk I want to but I’m afraid of some things. I think if I wait until I finish school and have a better job then maybe idk.
No, you need to go now! You are in rough shape. You are not getting better. What are you afraid of? Do you love being depressed? If not, there is help available! Give it a chance. At the worst, and nothing helps, you go off meds, stop therapy, and you go back to being how you are.

At best, you learn your triggers, your mood is lifted, and you go back to being normal or near normal. Plus, you will be able to do your school work better if your mood is under control. That is 100% certain. It is difficult to function when your head is in a black cloud, and you can't remember, and can't function well.

So, please make an appointment this week. Give it a chance. Forget the stigma, forget about what people will think of you, your troubles are a lot bigger than that. Just do it!
 

umzza

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2015
389
65
28
#22
No, you need to go now! You are in rough shape. You are not getting better. What are you afraid of? Do you love being depressed? If not, there is help available! Give it a chance. At the worst, and nothing helps, you go off meds, stop therapy, and you go back to being how you are.

At best, you learn your triggers, your mood is lifted, and you go back to being normal or near normal. Plus, you will be able to do your school work better if your mood is under control. That is 100% certain. It is difficult to function when your head is in a black cloud, and you can't remember, and can't function well.

So, please make an appointment this week. Give it a chance. Forget the stigma, forget about what people will think of you, your troubles are a lot bigger than that. Just do it!
I'm afraid to go to the doctor. It is difficult to talk. It's hard to explain things when I am in front of someone in person. Like idk people don't really get things. Like I went to a doctor a long time ago and he asked where I went to highschool and I was like thinking man I don't do school. I literally just sat at home and sleep because nobody cares what I am doing. I didn't do school and just made stuff up. And it is really awkward to answer questions. Like what if he asks why this or that is in my blood or why I got this or that or whatever. Like now I got some slices on my stomach and legs from when I was having really bad time. It is really stressful to talk to people sometimes about things.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
#23
I'm afraid to go to the doctor. It is difficult to talk. It's hard to explain things when I am in front of someone in person. Like idk people don't really get things. Like I went to a doctor a long time ago and he asked where I went to highschool and I was like thinking man I don't do school. I literally just sat at home and sleep because nobody cares what I am doing. I didn't do school and just made stuff up. And it is really awkward to answer questions. Like what if he asks why this or that is in my blood or why I got this or that or whatever. Like now I got some slices on my stomach and legs from when I was having really bad time. It is really stressful to talk to people sometimes about things.

I believe you are making excuses for yourself. You have been clear about how you are feeling. Write it on a piece of paper, if that helps. If he asks a question you do not understand, then ask him to say it again, in a different way. A doctor's purpose is to help us. A GP may not totally understand, but just tell him what you have said here, and to me. About sleeping too much, about not wanting to do anything, including school. About being down, everything stressing you, and especially about the cutting. He will refer you to someone who is trained to deal with your issues, specifically.

You need help, now! That means pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Keep remembering this is the start of something better for you.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#24
Is there no telephone hotline. Maybe talking to a stranger in a prayer or inner healing hotline can help u.
A stranger can help u better than someone close
 

Kaps89

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2018
219
305
63
Kent, England
#25
I was wondering if anybody has any advice on depression. I have had waves of depression since I was eight/nine, maybe earlier. I have trouble connecting with people and keeping friendships. I am trying to go to school but my motivation is really low. Are there any self-care things that you guys do that are helpful in dealing with the low motivation, pain from loss of friendships, pain from deaths, and just generally feeling hopeless like there's no long-term relief from the pain?
Hello umzza,

I hope you're well.

So I've been off work for the last four weeks with depression. I won't say I know what you're going through because everyone goes through different experiences but here is what helped for me.

  • Praying and asking God to strengthen me in the wilderness
  • Going to the doctor and being honest with them and getting prescribed medication
  • Not relying on just the medication alone
I know it seems difficult when you're in the midst of everything but I truly believe that when people suffer from depression we're essentially in the middle of a wilderness experience and we'll be tested and pushed to our limits but learn so much during the process.

I took the doctors offer of an anti-depressant but I took it on the basis that I'd use it to give myself some breathing space so I can pray, stay in the word and connect with our heavenly father. The last four weeks I've spent much more time just being with God and I feel much better than I did.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is you need to attack this in a multi-purpose approach. Spiritually, medically and psychologically. Praying for you sister.

Tom
 
Dec 1, 2018
14
35
13
#26
I've had bouts of depression and there was a time when it was so severe I had thought of ending things. Depression is no joking matter. I had to reassess my life and accept some things about myself in order to start healing. I'm not very good with verbalizing how I feel and would usually just keep it all in until I would feel anxiety kick in. There's also the anger I feel just on everything. My family has always been very supportive and I know they are just waiting for me to say something because they know me. They know forcing me to say something is like having a root canal. I'm so stubborn I will never give in even when I'm in pain. .I wanted to be left alone. I don't like taking any medications and I avoid it if I can help it. Take note this is just me. We have different view on things.

I prayed and read encouraging bible verses and vent my frustrations on where I am good at. Writing. I'm not a professional writer or have the perfect grammar but writing in my journal has helped me and working out has also made me think things clearly. Travelling made me open minded. Volunteering and helping out those in need also gave me perspective. That's a real eye opener. If I thought I had it worse, if I thought I was the only one undergoing all these trials and tribulations, I am way wrong. Music has also helped me calm down.

Now, I appreciate my life and do my best to help out friends who needed just someone to talk to, give advise or console them. I am a nurse but my friends would joke I missed my calling and should have taken psychology in college so I could charge them in therapy :D even when I am sad I do still find humor in my predicament. It's how I cope. I do yoga and pilates daily and when I feel that darkness creeping in I would take kickboxing and combat class workout. Afterwards, clarity is there and I will be too tired to overthink things when I go to bed. I have my dogs who are my stress relief and is the reason I have to get out of bed every morning. I have something to look forward to every day.
Crying is also a stress relief and there are times I would just watch a sob story movie and would cry my heart out.I feel better afterwards.

What I'm trying to say is, do what works for you. Ask and accept help especially if you feel like you are at the end of your rope.
Talk to God. Say what u want to say. And pray.
 

jameen

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2018
540
150
43
37
Manila
#27
Bible verses advice are:

1) Pray when afflicted (James 5:13)

2) Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

By faith you stand (2 Cor. 1:24)
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
652
390
63
#28
I was wondering if anybody has any advice on depression. I have had waves of depression since I was eight/nine, maybe earlier. I have trouble connecting with people and keeping friendships. I am trying to go to school but my motivation is really low. Are there any self-care things that you guys do that are helpful in dealing with the low motivation, pain from loss of friendships, pain from deaths, and just generally feeling hopeless like there's no long-term relief from the pain?
I'm fully convinced everyone feels this way at one point or another. Even the happiest people I know have experienced waves of depression in their lives and people that seem "happy" are on anti-depressants and still suffer from depression.

These are things that have worked for me :
1. Get close to God by being thankful. It's very difficult to do this and you don't have to be dishonest. Tell God thanks for everything from your family, opportunity for school, to playing that song you needed at that moment, etc. Really feel it bc none of the good things would exist if not for him. Then let him know your concerns.

2. Recognize life is made of seasons. Though you may be in Winter, Spring comes eventually. There will be better times and time heals all wounds.

3. Accept your sad and give yourself permission to be sad. If there's actually a reason for it, it's okay to be sad. Fighting it makes it stronger.

4. Distract yourself. Watch movies, take up a hobby, listen to music, bake, whatever. Do things you enjoy that are distractions. Healthy distractions I might add. The strongest people I know who seem unaffected by tragedies do this tactic. You just keep moving.

5. Go outside and hang out with people. Put Facebook away, Christian chat....just go out and breathe in nature. Go out to eat and be with others. Helping others helps too.

I might add something. When you are getting close to God read the Bible, pray a lot at night. Even better, off and on all day. They have the Bible app you listen to. This is the best way to have "spiritual" dreams. It will give you a very real escape. Listen to Christian music and notice how it's playing in your head when you wake up. You will notice God speaking to you more and it will also help you be thankful which makes you happy.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,056
3,170
113
#29
Step One, use caution in taking advice from people on how to handle depression. Most of the advice given sounds like it comes from people that have never had any real issues with depression and therefore don't really understand it. That makes their advice null and potentially harmful. All the 'think happy thoughts' advice is pretty ineffectual against actual depression on it's own and due to this perceived failure it may spur depression further.. It may be effective in combination with other treatment, but not on it's own.
Step Two, get a Professional diagnosis and find out the base reason for the depression. Sometimes it's physical (hormones, food allergies, eating/sleeping/exercise habits, vitamin deficiency, etc..) so a doctor should rule those out, or treat them. If nothing physical shows then get diagnosed by a counselor or higher. They can determine the reasons, severity and any other factors that may be affecting it. Meds should only be a last resort, so don't let them push meds on you if you end up in counseling.
Worried about crying in front of a doc? Well your option is maybe (or maybe not) cry in front of a doc (even though there's nothing to be embarrassed about) and get help and treatment. Or avoid a doctor for a few minutes of embarrassment and spend the rest of your life miserable. Which one is more important?
 
Dec 2, 2018
65
37
18
#30
When I feel like that it helps to read the bible or listen to it and pray harder and tell yourself you live for God so you want him to help you. After all he knows what you've gone through in the past and what you will face in future.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,056
3,170
113
#31
I'm fully convinced everyone feels this way at one point or another. Even the happiest people I know have experienced waves of depression in their lives and people that seem "happy" are on anti-depressants and still suffer from depression.

These are things that have worked for me :
1. Get close to God by being thankful. It's very difficult to do this and you don't have to be dishonest. Tell God thanks for everything from your family, opportunity for school, to playing that song you needed at that moment, etc. Really feel it bc none of the good things would exist if not for him. Then let him know your concerns.

2. Recognize life is made of seasons. Though you may be in Winter, Spring comes eventually. There will be better times and time heals all wounds.

3. Accept your sad and give yourself permission to be sad. If there's actually a reason for it, it's okay to be sad. Fighting it makes it stronger.

4. Distract yourself. Watch movies, take up a hobby, listen to music, bake, whatever. Do things you enjoy that are distractions. Healthy distractions I might add. The strongest people I know who seem unaffected by tragedies do this tactic. You just keep moving.

5. Go outside and hang out with people. Put Facebook away, Christian chat....just go out and breathe in nature. Go out to eat and be with others. Helping others helps too.

I might add something. When you are getting close to God read the Bible, pray a lot at night. Even better, off and on all day. They have the Bible app you listen to. This is the best way to have "spiritual" dreams. It will give you a very real escape. Listen to Christian music and notice how it's playing in your head when you wake up. You will notice God speaking to you more and it will also help you be thankful which makes you happy.
Sadness and depression are not the same thing. Sadness is temporary and can last minutes, hours, days, maybe even weeks at worst. Depression lingers 24/7/365.

I'm not sure where you got the notion that fighting sadness or depression strengthens them. Perhaps during your astral projection?
Theres a term for that. It's called "giving up" and its proven to be ineffective.

Also, distracting yourself from problems constantly does not make them go away. It builds them up because they never get dealt with and instead fester.
A healthier tactic is to combine distraction and confronting your problems. Allowing yourself to feel negative feelings and dealing with them for a time, then holding them back to function throughout the day. Though people with genuine depression may not possess the capabilities to do so.
Burying your head in the sand and not confronting issues backfires because all that build up of unresolved problems explodes intermittently and often on those who least deserve it.
People like that may "seem" happy, but they aren't. I've dealt with many such people and they always seem so happy, until you get past the walls they use to hide from their pain. Then you realize they've been faking their happiness and are actually miserable.

Accepting a dream as coming from God without praying and awaiting confirmation is nothing but an open door to misguiding spirits. Hence the astral projection, no doubt.
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
652
390
63
#32
Sadness and depression are not the same thing. Sadness is temporary and can last minutes, hours, days, maybe even weeks at worst. Depression lingers 24/7/365.

I'm not sure where you got the notion that fighting sadness or depression strengthens them. Perhaps during your astral projection?
Theres a term for that. It's called "giving up" and its proven to be ineffective.

Also, distracting yourself from problems constantly does not make them go away. It builds them up because they never get dealt with and instead fester.
A healthier tactic is to combine distraction and confronting your problems. Allowing yourself to feel negative feelings and dealing with them for a time, then holding them back to function throughout the day. Though people with genuine depression may not possess the capabilities to do so.
Burying your head in the sand and not confronting issues backfires because all that build up of unresolved problems explodes intermittently and often on those who least deserve it.
People like that may "seem" happy, but they aren't. I've dealt with many such people and they always seem so happy, until you get past the walls they use to hide from their pain. Then you realize they've been faking their happiness and are actually miserable.

Accepting a dream as coming from God without praying and awaiting confirmation is nothing but an open door to misguiding spirits. Hence the astral projection, no doubt.
Wow that was full of Christian love.
 

karen0123

Senior Member
Dec 14, 2011
268
93
28
#33
I was wondering if anybody has any advice on depression. I have had waves of depression since I was eight/nine, maybe earlier. I have trouble connecting with people and keeping friendships. I am trying to go to school but my motivation is really low. Are there any self-care things that you guys do that are helpful in dealing with the low motivation, pain from loss of friendships, pain from deaths, and just generally feeling hopeless like there's no long-term relief from the pain?

God is with you, this will change you, and your life forever.
http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
652
390
63
#34
Sadness and depression are not the same thing. Sadness is temporary and can last minutes, hours, days, maybe even weeks at worst. Depression lingers 24/7/365.

I'm not sure where you got the notion that fighting sadness or depression strengthens them. Perhaps during your astral projection?
Theres a term for that. It's called "giving up" and its proven to be ineffective.

Also, distracting yourself from problems constantly does not make them go away. It builds them up because they never get dealt with and instead fester.
A healthier tactic is to combine distraction and confronting your problems. Allowing yourself to feel negative feelings and dealing with them for a time, then holding them back to function throughout the day. Though people with genuine depression may not possess the capabilities to do so.
Burying your head in the sand and not confronting issues backfires because all that build up of unresolved problems explodes intermittently and often on those who least deserve it.
People like that may "seem" happy, but they aren't. I've dealt with many such people and they always seem so happy, until you get past the walls they use to hide from their pain. Then you realize they've been faking their happiness and are actually miserable.

Accepting a dream as coming from God without praying and awaiting confirmation is nothing but an open door to misguiding spirits. Hence the astral projection, no doubt.
I apologize for my previous comment. I'm sure you are a very loving Christian. God bless.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#35
I was wondering if anybody has any advice on depression. I have had waves of depression since I was eight/nine, maybe earlier. I have trouble connecting with people and keeping friendships. I am trying to go to school but my motivation is really low. Are there any self-care things that you guys do that are helpful in dealing with the low motivation, pain from loss of friendships, pain from deaths, and just generally feeling hopeless like there's no long-term relief from the pain?
If a spirit of heaviness is weighing you down, I would encourage you to put on the garment of praise. When you praise the Lord—when you proclaim who He is, what He has done for you, and what He is able to do—fear has to go, and faith will fill your heart. The reason the Holy Spirit refers to it as "a garment of praise" is because you are to wear this thing like you do a garment. That means that it covers your spirit, and it covers your soul. Praise the Lord!

JSM
 

Skully

New member
Oct 4, 2018
3
0
1
#36
Idk I want to but I’m afraid of some things. I think if I wait until I finish school and have a better job then maybe idk.
If you're in school, there's a good chance you can get help through the school. Especially if you are in college. The colleges I attended had free counseling for students and if the counselors thought you might need medical help with your depression they could refer you to a dr that worked with the school and students could get free or low cost medical help. I suffer from depression. I understand your fears. But sometimes if you take that first step, you'll find that it wasn't as bad as you feared. You deserve to take care of you.