Christians and Depression...

KatCarney · 03-10-2006, 07:30 PM

I tend to have a lot of faith-based programming on when I'm working at the computer (today, however, I opted for Classical Music

)

Anyway, all week, I've been hearing some of these tv preachers** talking about [what sounds like] depression, and how Christians just need to 'snap out of it' and 'change their stinkin thinkin' because Christ didn't die so we could be depressed. (I'm paraphrasing, but you get the idea...)

To me, this is doing a lot of Christians a HUGE disservice. In many instances, clinical depression isn't something you can just 'think' your way out of.

I've done some research, and Christians (especially African-Americans) are less likely to seek medical help for depression or other mental illness because they feel it is a sign that they 'lack faith.' (but they'll seek medical help for a broken arm...)

What are your thoughts on this?

I'm interested to hear from people from other faiths, too, on the view of depression and other mental illness.

side note:
**don't get me started on some of the other nonsense I've heard from some of these tv preachers

Frenetic · 03-10-2006, 08:50 PM

I do believe that clinical depression exists and can be treated. However, I also think that depression can be demonic in nature. Either way you look at it, it's not something that can be disciplined away. Especially if it is demonic in nature.

Hope that doesn't sound to crazy to you all. I know that some do not believe in demonic attacks. I believe it's something that effects a lot of people in a lot of ways though. Some that we might more easily attribute to physical/mental problems.

Sillygoose · 03-10-2006, 08:52 PM

You are right. It's a huge disservice to people struggling with depression to tell them to "snap out of it". I had a pastor once who preached from the pulpit that it was wrong to see psychologists and psychiatrists. Imagine how I felt as I was seeing both a psychologist and a psychiatrist and on meds at the time. I just made sure I never told him about it. Not every Christian preacher is that way. My dad was a pastor for 28 years, and he did not feel this way. He knew that it was sometimes necessary to see doctors for both physical and mental well being. He had already passed away by the time I was diagnosed with depression, so that's why he wasn't my pastor anymore. I do believe in God's healing power, sometimes it's instant, sometimes it comes through treatment. I wish more people realized that God's healing sometimes does come through doctor's treatment. Some people don't believe depression is just as much of an illness as diabetes is, but it is.

Anyway, preachers are human and can get things wrong. That's why it's important not to blindly follow any preacher, but to know the Bible for yourself. Sadly, there are a lot of people in the world that would rather rely on something a preacher says than what the Bible says.

Have you heard that cliche, "We're too blessed to be depressed"? I hate that cliche. I've seen it on church signs. Ugh.

Emily

deblynnc · 03-10-2006, 09:12 PM

That attitude is absurd! Would they tell someone suffering from cancer or heart disease to reject medical treatment for it and just pray for healing? Some would, I know, but I hope and pray that most wouldn't. It sounds as ridiculous to me as Tom Cruise's verbal assault on Brooke Shields for seeking treatment for post-partum depression.

Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but did these same TV preachers then go into their sales pitch about how if you just send them $XX's they'll pray for you and you'll be healed? I tend to steer clear of TV preachers. There are too many out there who, IMHO, are doing it, not out of a true calling or desire to minister to the masses, but out of a desire for personal gain or prestige. Not all, I know, but enough of them that I just don't waste my time on any of them.

Debbie

GabrielsMom · 03-10-2006, 09:50 PM

Whatever! I can't stand TV preachers. They're always going on and on about what's wrong with everyone else (but themselves). I'll never forget the time this obese pastor got on TV complaining about how Christian wives don't wear makeup and make themselves look nice for their husbands. *barf* I *really* don't think that this is what Jesus had in mind for our leaders to do, since it's not the kind of thing he himself did. Remember the woman at the well? "Go and sin no more." He didn't preach at her, he just told her the truth.

About mental illness, I read a lot on James Dobson's site - www.family.org. There is a lot of useful info there about the Christian perspective on depression and other mental illness. In the wake of my schizophrenic brother committing suicide, I need large doses of sanity to combat that large amounts of insanity I hear in other places. I do not believe that he was demon possessed (prayer and faith didn't make him better), just sick in the brain. If people can have heart disease, why can't people have brain disease?

oohmercyme · 03-10-2006, 09:58 PM

Anyone who does not understand that depression is a REAL illness and thinks people who suffer from it should just get off thier butts or just pray about it is doing a great disservice.

As a Christian, I beleive that God *could* heal my depression and could heal anyone of anything, but He does not always chose to. The whys and whynots of all that, I have no idea, but He has a reason.

I also agree with the cyster who said that healing can come through a doctor or medication and that is as much from God as a "miracle".

I think depression is one of those "thorms" that I have asked God to remove and He has just said "no my child", there is a reason you must endure it. In my 33 years, I can only say that His plans always turn out far better than mine, even if I have to endure pain.

Sadly the church is full of people suffering from depression and other mental illness who are afraid of seeking out support from the family of believers. (Don't get me started on how the pews are filled with believers who have been/are victims of abuse and sit in silence).

sleepydumpling · 03-11-2006, 04:29 AM

I've always found that those that need to preach against something the most are usually those that are doing it/going through it in their own lives, and they're ashamed of it.

DiamondInTheRough · 03-11-2006, 07:15 AM

From an Islamic Perspective, Mental Health is acknowledged as something real, and should be treated as such. Here is a good article you can read titled, "Depression: A Social Illness?" .

Another angle that can be interrpreted Islamically, is that some forms of depression do not necessariy stem from the brain, but from the heart. The heart is considered the centre of human consciousness. If you are interested in reading this Islamic perspective on the ailments of the heart, I would suggest this overview, called: "Alchemy of the Heart," by Hamza Yusuf.

KatCarney · 03-11-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydumpling

I've always found that those that need to preach against something the most are usually those that are doing it/going through it in their own lives, and they're ashamed of it.

I haven't always found that. Many times it's just plain ignorance (ie Lack of understanding of what is really happening...)

Thanks for the links Diamond...very interesting!

deblynnc · 03-11-2006, 04:37 PM

Diamond: Thanks for the links. Very interesting and informative.

Debbie

CelticSpirit · 03-11-2006, 08:20 PM

It's that kind of ignorant thinking that causes people to walk around suffering. They think that there is something wrong with them and not inthe way they need to be thinking (God I hope that made sense...I'm very tired right now).

Kat--what you mentioned about African-American folks not getting the treatment that they need...so very true. It's really sad.

Sarah E. · 03-11-2006, 09:36 PM

In a way could the preachers be talking about faith? I am wondering because I heard someone talking about me and they were saying that I was struggling with my faith. It was not faith from which I was struggling. It was mental illness. I am mentally ill. I suffer from chronic major clinical depression, anxiety disorder and PTSD. I was and occasionally still struggle with sadness, hopelessness, emptiness and feelings of sadness. Could they be saying that if my faith in God was strong enough I would not be having these feelings?
I remember lying in my bed in the hospital when I was admitted for depression and suicidal ideation. I was at my lowest and the only thing that gave me comfort was knowing that God was with me. I remember praying for God to help me through and saying please don't leave me. I felt his presence and was comforted. I prayed for hours and hours. I thank God for seeing me through that day and every day since then. I feel humbled every day when I think that my God, God of the universe heard me and never left me alone. In the most trying times of life the only comfort I get is when I pray. God worked through my physicians, my friends, my DH, my family and most of all my medicines. Thank God for the technology.
I wish I could just get over it. Depression does not work that way. Whoever says that is ignorant and unsympathetic and judgemental. God does not want us to treat each other that way. Their opinion is just that-- theirs. I think they need to think about where they are coming from when they say that.
It makes me sad for the preachers who feel that Christians with mental illness need to get over it. I do not believe their words are based on fact but merely their interpretation or opinion.
I know this turned into a testimonial, but I want others to know how the Lord has touched my life. I am hoping when any of you are at your lowest you can take great comfort in my experience so it can offer you some hope when you need it the most.

Sillygoose · 03-12-2006, 05:35 AM

I liked your post, Sarah E.

I realized today as I was driving down the road, that in my previous post that I had forgotten to tell what God did for me. I guess it's easy for me to be critical about things, and forget the blessings. I don't ever want to forget God's blessings. I struggled a long time with depression. When I got to where I couldn't hide it anymore, my mother realized what was going on. She encouraged me to get help. My mother is a strong woman of faith. I did get the help I needed. I do believe in human help, and medicinal treatment, but I also feel that without faith in God, it means nothing. I put my faith in God to use my psychologist, psychiatrist, and medication to help heal me. It was God that brought about the healing. He used people and medication, but He did it. I did come out of it. It took two years of work, and a lot of prayer, but I am now healed. It's been 4 years since I came off of meds. I do have my sad days where I think, "Oh no is it coming back?" I just pray and make sure the sad feelings don't last longer than 2 weeks. So far those feelings haven't lasted but for a few days. I do believe that God can instantly heal a person of anything, including depression. I also believe that sometimes He uses another way.

I'm sorry that I've posted again, and that I might have strayed a little from the topic. I just felt that I left out something major in my first post.

DiamondInTheRough · 03-12-2006, 06:54 AM

Kat and deblynnc - you're both welcome. I found some info on a seminar, titled "Depression: Prevention and Healing." The speakers are all notable Muslims from mainly the West, yet world renouned. I've heard at least half of them speak in person in the past. Only these lectures have to be purchased. I may decide to buy them, I'm curious now to hear what they all have to say, lol.

Take care

PollySis · 03-12-2006, 01:32 PM

As a pagan, I'd be most likely to turn to counselling, Reiki or some other form of holistic healing, than a doctor, or prescribed drugs, so I guess one's faith really does affect the way you tackle health issues, including mental health. I'd assume it would be a lengthy process.

To say 'snap out of it' is flying in the face of all we know about psychology and mental health issues!

I saw a documentary yesterday about evangelism in the UK, and how dangerous it is - to the extent that it could be a threat to our very liberal culture, here. And interestingly, the evangelists' view of homosexuality was - it's a disease we can cure with a course on christianity! Drug abuse? A disease we can cure with a course on christianity. I'd assume depression would be the same. In other words, the prevailing culture in some forms of christianity does appear to be very simplistic, the underlying thesis being - whatever ails you, the devil did it and we can drive him out by doing 'x'. Cut and dried.

Where's Freud in this, or over 100 years' medical science, or a couple of thousands of years of wisdom from Eastern medicine? All of which support the idea that depression is something you would have to deal with in a long, slow, thoughtful process.