H
HeWillProvide
Guest
If you have depression or are depressed, does this automatically mean that your spiritual life is poor or weak? Is it possible to have a “good” spiritual life while being depressed at the same time?
- Status
W
water
Guest
I don’t know much about health science, but I think that one can have depression due to some health issues; therefore, depression is not always an indicator of one’s spiritual life.
J
jazzbaby1
Guest
Depression is a medical problem, not a spiritual one. Can your spiritual life be hindered by depression? Most certainly, as can any other health issue (or human issue) hinder your spiritual life. I think there are two parts to your question:
- You need to be sure you’re talking about depression – a medically diagnosable and treatable mental illness – and not despair. They feel about the same, but the difference between them is that despair is a choice and depression is not.
- You need to define what you mean by “good.” If you mean “peaceful” or “insanely joyful” then the answer is probably not. If you mean “deep” or “rich” then possibly.
F
fhansen
Guest
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit”. I wouldn’t cultivate depression but I believe that God has nonetheless used my own struggles with it to draw me closer to Him-to humble me in ways I never would’ve been humbled otherwise -to cause me to seek Him in ways I never would’ve bothered with and to end up nearer to Him than I would’ve had I not struggled in this way.
D
Danuska
Guest
Like other poeple have already told you, it does not have to be an indicator of your spiritual life, pretty much the same as flu or chickenpox… Depression is most of the time result of some inner wounds in the past, for that as others said, you might want to see a professional.
And yes, you can have a good spiritual life even though it will not seem so to you - if you read the lives of Saints, many of them experienced Spiritual Night - the period in their life when they felt far from God - read St Faustina’s diary or Mother Theresa’s letters, for me that resembles depression in many ways. It was not easy for Faustina to pray then, she experienced feelings of despair and rejection, but these can be purifying. Depression is not the same thing, but for those who love God, everything works for their favour (read Romans 8). I had depression, and when I think about what I have to thank God for in my life, there are many things, and depression would be one of them too. It is not that I enjoyed it, but it changed the direction of my life completely. I started seeking for God, and at the same time I felt so far from Him, and it was a really very tough time for me, and I didn’t understand it. But again, as St John of Cross says, if you are looking for God, it is really He who is looking for you.
And yes, you can have a good spiritual life even though it will not seem so to you - if you read the lives of Saints, many of them experienced Spiritual Night - the period in their life when they felt far from God - read St Faustina’s diary or Mother Theresa’s letters, for me that resembles depression in many ways. It was not easy for Faustina to pray then, she experienced feelings of despair and rejection, but these can be purifying. Depression is not the same thing, but for those who love God, everything works for their favour (read Romans 8). I had depression, and when I think about what I have to thank God for in my life, there are many things, and depression would be one of them too. It is not that I enjoyed it, but it changed the direction of my life completely. I started seeking for God, and at the same time I felt so far from Him, and it was a really very tough time for me, and I didn’t understand it. But again, as St John of Cross says, if you are looking for God, it is really He who is looking for you.
W
water
Guest
Although depression is not always an indicator of one’s spiritual life, it sometimes can be an effect of lacking trust in God.
How many times are we worried about a certain thing that might happen in the future and we become so sick? This depression and worries tell us that we need to trust in God more.
M
MarcoPolo
Guest
Someone posted Blessed are the poor in Spirit. I recommend reading some of the letters of Padre Pio to his spiritual director…he was miserable quite often. Mother Theresa and St. John of the Cross also felt darkness. Many other saints have, no doubt. So, depression in itself is not a definitive indicator either way.
S
Salonika
Guest
Think it is difficult, and sometimes very, very diffifcult to have a good spiritual life if you are depressed. Sometimes the effort required to just get through the day and do the necessities, like eat and sleep, keep house and wash your clothes, can take all your energy.
But then there is also the possiblity that one’s spiritual life may be the one thing that keeps them going when they are depressed.
But then there is also the possiblity that one’s spiritual life may be the one thing that keeps them going when they are depressed.
T
tessi
Guest
That it’s my case.
F
Fergal
Guest
I know of one individual whose spirituality / prayer is in fact most acute during the ‘dark hours’ as he would call them. I know and have first hand experience of the beauty of prayer and song that has come from his deep depression.
With God all is possible and the Spirit moves as He wills.
With God all is possible and the Spirit moves as He wills.
R
RWMorris
Guest
Absolutely not, depression is most often a chemical imbalance. When I was depressed a few years ago, God used it to bring me home to the Church.
A
aurora77
Guest
Is diabetes a sign of a poor spiritual life? Is cancer a sign of a poor spiritual life? No! Neither is major depression. Of course, God can use illnesses, like depression to bring us closer to Him (I know that’s been true for me). We all have our crosses to bear, some of us count depression as one of them.
F
Fergal
Guest
Count me in on that too!
B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
Well said!..Depression is a form of mental illness (either minor or major) and along with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, the common cold, the flu…etc. etc…it is simply an illness along with any other and as with any other it can have a variety of causes. And illness is a cross and a suffering to be borne as well as we are able.
There used to be (I never hear it mentioned nowadays post V2) a very beautiful apostolate called the Apostolate of The Sick which stated that illnesses borne as well as possible bring many blessings to the Universal Church (apostolate seems to now have been taken over by the word “ministry”)…Whether we hear of the Apostolate of The Sick nowadays or not, the theology behind it stands nonethless and that illnesses borne as well as possible will bring many blessings to the Universal Church. It was a similar apostolate to that of contemplatives, in that those unwell or ill were encouraged to live prayerfully and offer their sufferings in a pentitential manner for the Universal Church and as a quite clear call from God by virtue of the fact that He had permitted the illness in the first place.
All one hears of these days it seems of a ministry or apostolate TO THE SICK…and not of the very beautiful apostolate and ministry per se those who are ill or unwell have of their own, and a real loss to The Church.
Blessings and regards…Barb
W
Wynn
Guest
I think it was my deep clinical depression that brought me back to the Church. Any shrink I’ve ever been to (and now it is only to get my medication) has been totally useless and clueless. Only delving back into my Faith and reading the lives of the saints has been effective therapy!
God let me hit bottom for me to realize it was him I needed all along. Thank you God! :bowdown:
God let me hit bottom for me to realize it was him I needed all along. Thank you God! :bowdown:
D
Daniel_Marsh
Guest
Look at Job, he was depressed due to his circumstances, and yet he still depended on God.
S
shelley23
Guest
I think you are really depressed…. I’m not able to find any type of connection between your depression and your spiritual life. Depression is an illness which can be cured by medication. Consult with a good doctor for this and take medication for this. I also suffered a lot for this issue and my doctor prescribed xanax for this and it. You can find more information about xanax at xanax-effects.com
B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
Yes, one can have a good spiritual life, yet be depressed at the same time. Just as a person can suffer any other illness and still have a sound spiritual life. Depression can be an illness asking medical treatment.
If depressed, it would be a good move to mention this to Father in Confession and ask him if he thinks you should speak to a doctor about it after telling him what is happening… or speak with a doctor anyway. Medications and the affect and effect they have on a person can differ from person to person and certainly with psychiatric type medications, including those for depression, it is important that they are prescribed and that one informs the prescribing doctor of any subsequent side effects. Some can be quite serious. It is important too that the prescribed dosage is followed and that one has contact with one’s doctor while taking such medications. It is also important that any sort of medications are not mixed unless the doctor is aware of what you are taking or intend to take.
Blessings and regards…Barb
If depressed, it would be a good move to mention this to Father in Confession and ask him if he thinks you should speak to a doctor about it after telling him what is happening… or speak with a doctor anyway. Medications and the affect and effect they have on a person can differ from person to person and certainly with psychiatric type medications, including those for depression, it is important that they are prescribed and that one informs the prescribing doctor of any subsequent side effects. Some can be quite serious. It is important too that the prescribed dosage is followed and that one has contact with one’s doctor while taking such medications. It is also important that any sort of medications are not mixed unless the doctor is aware of what you are taking or intend to take.
Blessings and regards…Barb
G
GoldenArrow
Guest
I’m Bipolar and I feel deeply depressed if I don’t eat breakfast. No joke.
Some Bipolar people are so sensitive to changes in their blood sugar that if they get a sudden rush of sugar they’ll go into a hypomanic state, or if they’re deprived of sugar they do into a mild depression. (This can even take place on full meds, as is my case).
I don’t think depression’s an indicator of your spiritual life.
For instance, yesterday I was hypomanic. Went to bed last night feeling fine.
Today, I forgot to eat breakfast. By 2 PM, when I got off work, I still hadn’t eaten anything. I got home and felt deeply, deeply sad. I had all sorts of horrible blasphemous thoughts and I was cussing to myself about everything, especially about the earwigs eating my zucchini plants!
Then, I had a bowl of cereal. Almost immediately, the depressive thoughts and obsessions ceased. Then, I decided food was good and cooked myself an eggplant. I felt even better after that. I laid down on the couch, took a pleasant afternoon siesta, and here I am, happy as a bug.
Needless to say, I’m a very rapid cycling Bipolar girl! I think I’m definitely asking for a dispensation from fasting on ALL Fasting days. If anyone qualifies for it, I do. HA!
So to the original poster, don’t fret about it.
God bless!
Mary Ann
Some Bipolar people are so sensitive to changes in their blood sugar that if they get a sudden rush of sugar they’ll go into a hypomanic state, or if they’re deprived of sugar they do into a mild depression. (This can even take place on full meds, as is my case).
I don’t think depression’s an indicator of your spiritual life.
For instance, yesterday I was hypomanic. Went to bed last night feeling fine.
Today, I forgot to eat breakfast. By 2 PM, when I got off work, I still hadn’t eaten anything. I got home and felt deeply, deeply sad. I had all sorts of horrible blasphemous thoughts and I was cussing to myself about everything, especially about the earwigs eating my zucchini plants!
Then, I had a bowl of cereal. Almost immediately, the depressive thoughts and obsessions ceased. Then, I decided food was good and cooked myself an eggplant. I felt even better after that. I laid down on the couch, took a pleasant afternoon siesta, and here I am, happy as a bug.
Needless to say, I’m a very rapid cycling Bipolar girl! I think I’m definitely asking for a dispensation from fasting on ALL Fasting days. If anyone qualifies for it, I do. HA!
So to the original poster, don’t fret about it.
God bless!
Mary Ann
S
Salonika
Guest
I can identify with this even though there is no medical reason for it in my case.
When I taught briefly in the 1970’s the students knew when I had skipped breakfast and would suggest I go and have some at morning tea time (it was a boarding school). When I asked how they knew (and it only happened occasionally) they would tell me I was “scratchy”.
When I had a cold and lost the taste for tea I noticed becoming “scratchy”.
- Status