Go Blue! - Dealing with Depression

Like the artist Picasso, everyone goes through a "blue period" from time to time. But if you are depressed, you are experiencing more than just the occasional bad mood or just having an awful, terrible, very bad day.

Depression affect 20 million people in any given year (can we give it back?). Depression is a serious enough disorder that can affect a persons ability to function normally day to day and it only gets worse over time.

Did you know that women are twice as likely (aren't we the lucky ones) as men to develop depression? There are three stages in life when a woman is the most vulnerable to depression, probably because of changes in hormones:

• Each month before her period (PMS)
• After she has had a baby (postpartum depression)
• During perimenopause - the years leading up to menopause-when estrogen levels fluctuate. 

Life events can also trigger depression: divorce, death of a loved one, illness, losing a job, sexual or physical abuse, even poverty and financial problems. Many of us feel sad at times, that's a normal emotion. So how do you know if you truly are depressed of just suffering from a case of the "'blues"? 

Could You Be Depressed? 

To be diagnosed with depression, you must have one or more of the following debilitating symptoms for at least 2 weeks, according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness and the American Psychiatric Association guidelines:

• Feeling sad, empty or anxious.
• A loss of interest or pleasure in the things you once enjoyed.
• Feeling restless, irritable or crying a lot.
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or low self-esteem.
• Trouble concentrating, remembering things and making decisions.
• A loss of energy or feeling tired.
• Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much.
• A change in appetite that leads to sudden weight loss or gain.
• Thoughts or death or suicide.

Symptoms can run from mild, to major or severe. Major depressions can leave you curled up in a ball, weepy and unable to function. Mild depression is still serious, since it can gradually get worse. One chronic, mild form of depression, called dysthymic disorder, is subtle, but no less worrisome. Although it occurs for most of the day, more days than not, you can suffer from it for years without realizing you have it. 
A person with dysthymia always walks around feeling sad or "down in the dumps." It becomes the way that person just is. (like Eeryore, Winnie the Pooh's ever-glum, slow talking, sarcastic and pessimistic donkey friend) 

In fact, about 3% of people develop dysthymia (Greek for “bad state of mind” or “ill humor”) at some point, according to Mental Health America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health.
Source: Article "Just Blue or Seriously Depressed? By Catherine Winters, Special to Lifescript. Reviewed by Edward C. Geehr, M.D. Published January 26, 2013

Can Christians get Depressed?

Of course, they can and do. Depression has been around for a long time. The Bible even addresses the topic. Dealing with depression doesn't make us a bad person, or mean we are mentally weak and spiritual failures. 

If you, or someone you know, is depressed you should see your Primary Care Physician, or a Psychologist, and talk with your Minister. There is no shame in asking for help. We all need it from time to time. 

Reading your Bible is helpful. Check the concordance at the back of your Bible to look up verses by topic.  The following verses have been a help and comfort to me:

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows] ~ Psalm 147:3 (Amplified Bible)

"....Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ~ Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Why Does God Allow Christians to Suffer?

• So we humble ourselves; to admit we can't do it on our own.
• So we turn to God.
• So God can show us he cares for us.
• So God can comfort us.
• So we take our focus off of ourselves.
• So we focus on other people.
• So we can comfort others, as he has showed us how to do by comforting us.
• So we focus on the good (positive) things in our life.
• So we rejoice and praise God for the things he has and is doing in our lives.

"3 Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

"6 Humble yourselves, therefore under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety (worries and cares) on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble. whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." ~ Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Another great idea is to journal (write down) the answers to prayer and the good things that are happening in your life. Then the next time you are feeling "blue" go back and re-read them.

I'm a University of Michigan football fan. Whether I'm in the stadium or home on the couch, I can be heard yelling "Go Blue!"  We shout this to encourage our team to persevere. We want and expect them to persist in anything undertaken. To maintain a purpose in spite of the difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.  To focus, concentrate and continue steadfastly on. 

I'm learning to apply this same concept to my spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health areas of my life. So the next time I'm feeling down I will be shouting Go Blue! Go away blue mood, depression you are not welcome here. God is the General Manager of Team Jesus. Not only did he write the game book, he coaches the team, orchestrates the plays and  the defense (his grace and strength) are sufficient for me. Go Blue! Praise God I'm on the winning team.

Wishing you happy days, joyous times and a wonderful life in Christ!
Be Blessed! :)