Depression

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Susansmum

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I have depression.
It permeates all aspects of my life. I’m scrupulous when it comes to my sins, I suffer my addictions, laziness and shame.

Normally, I get to a point where I say, “what’s the point?” I feel that I’m just going to succumb to my sins again and disappoint God.

This time however, I’m not going to let go. I’m going to hold onto God. I’m trying to remember to ask myself, is it the depression? Am I being to scrupulous? I want to be objective.

I am broken, but I will allow God to heal me.

Does anyone else suffer with depression?
I have to take medication. If I don’t its much worse.
I’d love to hear others experiences with it.
 
I think I may have, at one point in my life. Not an expert, but consider this advice: If you are not already a devout Catholic, become one post haste. Make GOOD use of the Confessional, develop a strong, consistent prayer regimen, and receive Communion as often as possible.

Our sinfulness can lead to depression, or make it worse. Come as close as you can to our Lord Jesus and Blessed Mary, and practice redemptive suffering. Keep confessing. Keep hammering away at your bad habits, and pray for God’s help. It will take time, but perseverance will triumph. In this regard, I have certainly been there. It worked for me. 👍

God bless you.
 
I was on anti-depressants for years before I weaned myself off of them (I am not recommending this for you-I just found them to be ineffective and they made me sleepy and KILLED my sex drive). But my depression was initially triggered by the death of my father, so I have no experience with just being generally depressed with no apparent cause. Coming back to my faith has helped a lot, because I think you learn to accept a certain amount of suffering and get up and move on. Catholicism can be very liberating in the sense that you come to realize that there is nothing “defective” about being a little down sometimes. Life involves suffering to a certain extent. That’s ok. It doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. Ups and downs are natural and faith helps you to cope with the downs. Now, if you are seriously clinically depressed and really need medication, then that is certainly different, and unfortunately, there is a LOT of trial and error in finding the right medicine for most people, because they are all so different.

Is your situation chronic and pervasive or more situational?
 
I had and still have depression but it doesn’t bother me so much now that I found a medication that works for me. Mine is probably both hormonal and situational, since I suffered bullying as a kid. And as it is my doctor wants to get me off it some day.

To be honest it was my faith in Christ, in His love, and my mom is why I didn’t commit suicide in high school. It has been through Christ that I have been healing. When I entered college I encountered and made so many Catholic friends at a local church near my dorm that has helped me cast away some of the shells depression put on me. It has been through their friendship, in creating a deeper relationship with God and encountering Him through my friends that have helped me heal.

my advice, find someone you trust absolutely and talk to them, preferably someone who is catholic too. Also, keep seeing the doctor and making sure your meds work. I am an extroverted person, I get energy from others so for me making friends is a biggy but if your introverted really focus on getting to know your confidant and always try to get ever closer to God, no matter what kind a person you are.

Part of my depression is caused by my constant worrying so I had to learn to give up my problems and worries to God and TRUST, the part I was lacking, that He will take care of it, that He will take care of you. He isn’t called Providence for nothing. Learn to rely on God for everything, especially strength. There are a lot times in life, whether you have depression or not, when you find you have no strength and that only by God’s strength and grace can we make it through things but God is always, ALWAYS, willing to help us, we got only to ask. Without God we can do nothing but with God we can do great things, or so I have heard how the saying goes.

I am so happy to hear that you are willing to hold on this time, no matter the costs. That is a sign of great strength and courage. God Bless you and may He heal you and give you all the graces you might need.
 
I have severe clinical depression. I will likely be on meds the rest of my life.
For me, the medication has actually allowed me to have a relationship with God. I can actually get out of bed and go to Mass. Not that it’s easy mind you, but I’m still working at it 🙂

The most important step for me was to stop listening to the people who told me to snap out of it, get over it, or that it was my fault. I had to stop going off my medication thinking it was “God’s will” to do so.

My suggestion is to find a good priest, and make an appointment to speak with him. I had a very frank discussion with my priest about my mental illnesses, and he was very kind and helpful, and really helped set my mind at ease especially regarding sin and culpability regarding things associated with my illness.
 
Vigilant said:
…consider this advice: If you are not already a devout Catholic, become one post haste. Make GOOD use of the Confessional, develop a strong, consistent prayer regimen, and receive Communion as often as possible.

Our sinfulness can lead to depression, or make it worse. Come as close as you can to our Lord Jesus and Blessed Mary, and practice redemptive suffering. Keep confessing. Keep hammering away at your bad habits, and pray for God’s help. It will take time, but perseverance will triumph. In this regard, I have certainly been there. It worked for me. 👍

God bless you.
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Susansmum, my prayers go out to you. I have to say Vigilant’s advice hits it right on the spot: for me it’s important to develop a consistent prayer regimen. I pray novenas and other devotions daily and I try to attend daily mass. There are times I get really sad but not to the point where I need meds. I think that if you are faithful to Jesus, follow Him and put Him first, He will be there for you no matter what. Also, I recommend praying to St. Dymphna, patron saint for Mental Health. She is a wonderful Saint. Take care of yourself and trust in the Lord. :gopray:
 
Susansmum said:
I have depression.
It permeates all aspects of my life. I’m scrupulous when it comes to my sins, I suffer my addictions, laziness and shame.

Normally, I get to a point where I say, “what’s the point?” I feel that I’m just going to succumb to my sins again and disappoint God.

This time however, I’m not going to let go. I’m going to hold onto God. I’m trying to remember to ask myself, is it the depression? Am I being to scrupulous? I want to be objective.

I am broken, but I will allow God to heal me.

Does anyone else suffer with depression?
I have to take medication. If I don’t its much worse.
I’d love to hear others experiences with it.
Click to expand...
I suffer from depression and it is a constant struggle for me as well. I am not on medication except for some herbal supplement (St. John’s Wort). I find that when I make an effort to structure my life it significantly improves my state of mind. This includes keeping a healthy spiritual life as well as a social one. It involves replacing bad thoughts with good thoughts. And as far as your sins/addictions are concerned, if they are the kind of sins I am thinking about, I find I am better off when I refrain from them in the long run as these addictions form a kind of dependency if you indulge in them and if you do not then you become more able to connect with those around you and develop a healthy self-esteem and lifestyle. So keep that in mind the next time you want to just give in.
 
I also suffer deep melancholy at times. For me it is more of a spiritual oppression.

Grace should be held firmly with both hands. If you hold it tightly with both hands, with all your strength, you will never be tempted to enter heaven by any other means. None of us enter those gates without it, and if we try to grasp anything else we will lose it.

satan hates grace, he despises it, it torments him. A repentant heart is covered in grace, soaked in it, and satan will hate you for it. As long as our hearts remain repentant grace can operate, every time, He is faithful to forgive. Every time you sin, repent, and contemplate Gods mercy and grace, praise Him with your thanks, sing praise over his mercy, celebrate the victory with Him each time you sin. Turn satans attacks against himself, make him fight a pyrrhic war.

Sin is rendered powerless by grace, which is given only to a repentant heart. Jesus says that heaven celebrates every time a lost sheep is found. In preparation for a celebration the fattened calf is slaughtered every time the prodigal son returns home.

Understand that none of us can succeed against temptation without help from God. Not even a saint would prevail, for their tools, their sword and armor come from God. Do not think that you can overpower the temptation by your own means, rely on grace and God.

I have my own sin I struggle with. I have told Jesus His own words in regards to them. “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” and following, “I may not be able to walk beside you into heaven, hand in hand, but I can grab the corner of your cloak with an Iron grip and never let go.”

For a lot of us that is what me must do. Be violent, grab hold with all your might and never let go.
 
I suffered from depression years ago and was on medication for over a year. If it wasn’t for my faith, Mom, and the doctor’s help I would’ve been another person in the family to commit suicide. There are still times that I struggle with depression and what it brings with it, but I make the effort to remind myself of God’s love for me, and choose to be as positive as I can be. We all have our crosses to bear and our demons to battle, just please…and this goes for anyone…don’t forget that God loved you enough to come down here, be human, and suffer so much for you.
 
I’m schizoaffective - depressive type - and have struggled with depression for many years now. I’m on meds which I don’t feel do much for the depression but my psychiatrist has seen a positive change in me and I suppose I have to trust his judgment 🤷

I’ve found lots of different things helpful, from trying to get fresh air everyday (even if that’s just opening the window. Which I’m very bad at doing 😊 ), or going to confession. Confession really helps me, even though I really struggle with it.

I too second the advice about finding a good priest whom you can talk to about these things 👍
 
I was dxed with clinical depression among other things in 05/06. I would be on a med for a year and would have to switch it up because they would become less affective. All in all I never stopped the depression, but some meds made me just not care about it. The weight gain was astronomical. Approximently three to four months ago I ran out and was discontinued treatment…there was some side effects and I still deal with anxiety but that is all. I lost 25#'s in six weeks. I just joined a gym and try to keep active through out the day. That has been the best help so far. For me, just got tired of being uncaring of my state. Every action is a fight with depression and meds didn’t help me much for long. It is just something I fight to overcome each day.
 
Susansmum said:
I have depression.
It permeates all aspects of my life. I’m scrupulous when it comes to my sins, I suffer my addictions, laziness and shame.

Normally, I get to a point where I say, “what’s the point?” I feel that I’m just going to succumb to my sins again and disappoint God.

This time however, I’m not going to let go. I’m going to hold onto God. I’m trying to remember to ask myself, is it the depression? Am I being to scrupulous? I want to be objective.

I am broken, but I will allow God to heal me.

Does anyone else suffer with depression?
I have to take medication. If I don’t its much worse.
I’d love to hear others experiences with it.
Click to expand...
Did you see the Thread : surviving Depression and things worse ......
 
I have depression, almost to the point of Why live? It started big time in 2003 after I retund from Saudi Arabia during the initial stages of the second gulf war. First I was sick, really sick with an average temperature of 105degress for days. The Dr’sdid not know what it was and it took several antibiotics to get healthy again. Then I was so down, did not want to do anything, did not want to talk and really angry. I could not function or concentrate, my social life was at an all time low --even now I do not have any one that I can call a true friend. I am on medicine and also in pschotherapy. I go to church weekly and pray everyday to be normal again. At work I do my job but am told I irritate others. At home my wife wants to know what is wrong with me. I blame the military, the vaccines, the air we breathe in Saudi, the government, Obama. I cannot get out of it. One day I am ok and thenext day I want to cut my wrist. The med’s suck but I tried going without and it was worse. So, in answer to your question there are many of usout here who suffer from whatever this is. Anyone lelse have these feelings? Life sucks.
Ajashi
 
Ajashi said:
I have depression, almost to the point of Why live? It started big time in 2003 after I retund from Saudi Arabia during the initial stages of the second gulf war. First I was sick, really sick with an average temperature of 105degress for days. The Dr’sdid not know what it was and it took several antibiotics to get healthy again. Then I was so down, did not want to do anything, did not want to talk and really angry. I could not function or concentrate, my social life was at an all time low --even now I do not have any one that I can call a true friend. I am on medicine and also in pschotherapy. I go to church weekly and pray everyday to be normal again. At work I do my job but am told I irritate others. At home my wife wants to know what is wrong with me. I blame the military, the vaccines, the air we breathe in Saudi, the government, Obama. I cannot get out of it. One day I am ok and thenext day I want to cut my wrist. The med’s suck but I tried going without and it was worse. So, in answer to your question there are many of usout here who suffer from whatever this is. Anyone lelse have these feelings? Life sucks.
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        Ajashi
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      Sounds to me you might have Fatigue Syndrome.....
That can really wear you down, Lack of sleep… lack of Function & Concentration…
Then because of that people tell you your not normal…
The problem with your world is you can see out but no one can see in… Understand ?
I think you need a break… 12 months should do it… I took 9… before i could face the world… you need complete and utter rest !
Are you still in the military ?
 
Susansmum said:
I have depression.
It permeates all aspects of my life. I’m scrupulous when it comes to my sins, I suffer my addictions, laziness and shame.

Normally, I get to a point where I say, “what’s the point?” I feel that I’m just going to succumb to my sins again and disappoint God.

This time however, I’m not going to let go. I’m going to hold onto God. I’m trying to remember to ask myself, is it the depression? Am I being to scrupulous? I want to be objective.

I am broken, but I will allow God to heal me.

Does anyone else suffer with depression?
I have to take medication. If I don’t its much worse.
I’d love to hear others experiences with it.
Click to expand...
I’ve suffered from depression for more than 35 years, diagnosed and on medications for 25 years. Despite meds and counseling and going to church regularly I was on a downward spiral. About 14 years ago I left the church, 8 years later I returned, with a very strong faith. I began going to confession regularly and began spiritual direction with a wonderful priest. My depression continued to nose dive. I was in and out of the crisis evaluation unit at the hospital ER, a frequent visitor to the respite unit (a sort of half-way house) in my area, I was cutting myself, and attempting suicide. I became disabled and lost my job.

My faith was strong but the depression was deep, too. Depression is an illness, it’s not just something you can tell yourself to “get over it.” No one would tell someone to “get over” a broken leg and no one should say anything like that to someone who has depression.

The suicide attempts led to multiple hospitalizations. Finally I encountered a doctor who kept me (name removed by moderator)atient for 6.5 weeks and gave me 12 ECT treatments. Those turned my life around. I still suffer debilitating depression and anxiety but it’s no where near as bad as it used to be. I can live a fairly normal but low-key life and haven’t cut or been hospitalized in 4 years.

When I go to confession and I’m not sure if the depression is a factor in my sloth or anger or other sin that I may be confessing I mention the disease and that it may be a factor. If I confess self-injury like hitting myself, I mention that I see a counselor so the priest doesn’t worry (if he doesn’t already know me).

My faith is still strong, my relationship with the Lord continues to grow. Confession does help in healing but the medications, doctors, and counselors are really key to my day-to-day survival, too.
 
I suffered a very dark time of depression. A supplement that helped me a lot ( I tried many, but only one made any difference) was magnesium, specifically Slow-mag.

But beyond that, I completely agree with others who have advised making use of the sacraments. I’m a lifelong Catholic and attended church anyway, but during this time I started regular Adoration, going to daily mass at least once a week, prayed various novenas, fasted, and started being more intentional about going to reconciliation regularly. I didn’t have any big sin weighing on me, but I can’t tell you how much I have been helped by it. Just think of how clean and free you feel after confession … in the depths of depression, that is a big deal.

Good luck to you - I know it’s a ferocious battle but it can be won through Christ Jesus; you will have victory over this serpent of depression!

*“They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.” (Mark 16) *
 
I would like to also mention a soon-to-be-saint if she isnt one already is Mother Teresa. She suffered from depression her whole life so praying to her may help you.

God Bless you for seeking refuge. I know depression is hard, Ive been and am going through it myself but like the others have said: through Christ all things are possible. Find the right meds and spirituality within the church and its sacraments and you will be okay.

God Bless and know you are in my prayers.
 
A break would be great but not possible right now. Prayer does help, f I can just get rid of the thoughts that go through my head. Thoughts of hurting others. Thankfully the thoughts have not materilzed or else I would be dead or in jail. I used to be a very heavy drinker but quit, the more I drank the more violent I got. The problem was when I was drunk I was happy, accepted. Now that I am sober, I don’t know how to be happy or sociable. My shrink is helping, guess it will just take a while.
Ajashi
 
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