What to do when having a crisis of faith/depression/Neuroscience

[Elena321]

I’m a Baptised Catholic but never really was religious/applied the faith,but in the last few years i started to believe more about Jesus and the Catholic faith and it all seemed right and made sense.
Recently though,I’ve become depressed and am having,I guess,something like a crisis of faith.
I think the depression is just “plain boring depression” and not a spiritual thing such as dark night of soul etc which Holy people have.
I have taken something for it but it doesn’t help.
The concept of Jesus just seems less real now,and Jesus seems more far away and even the understanding how to apply his teachings to everyday life seems harder to grasp now.
Even Catholic prayers seem harder to comprehend and have lost their meaning and I receive no peace when I pray.

I don’t know if it is that Depression can “mess with” perception and reasoning and make God/Jesus/Holy Spirit not seem real,or whether rather they only are real to people because people have made this belief with their brains and that religion is really just a man-made brain experience created to provide meaning or comfort etc.
For example,there is evidence that people who are religious and pray/believe in God have increased volume in their right middle temporal cortex.
I wonder,if somebody had that area of their brain removed due to a Tumour,or for whatever other reason it stopped functioning,would that then mean that the person would not be able to perceive God/religious stuff or understand (or feel) about Gods love and God sending Jesus etc…?

If it’s the other way around and that Depression clouds your perception regarding God/religion this seems a bit cruel too that God would allow an illness that would make you stop believing in him and feel that prayers seem futile.

It’s hard to talk to anyone even a priest regarding this as no one really has any answers (plus it’s embarrassing).

Thanks
Elena

 

[pianistclare]

Never be embarrassed to speak to a priest. That’s the devil messing with your head
They have counseled people on nearly there there is to talk about.
GO.
Pray at Adoration… Open yourself up to Jesus He walks with you.

 

[Casilda]

What to do when having a crisis of faith/depression/Neuroscience?

I sought out a retreat last year and a priest was available from matins through evening compline. It made a world of different being able to ask my most pressing question. I begged for 15 minutes uninterrupted time

Sometimes I feel Peter is tossing me crumbs. Sad I have come to exist on this meager diet. My only reality is Jesus Christ and Christ crucified, everything else is unreal.

I seek Him everywhere. Constantly.

 

[TheTrinitySaves]

Talk to the priest, and he will guide you back to the faith. If he cannot then who can other than Jesus?

 

[Della]

If we can no longer control our thoughts, God understands perfectly well that that’s the case and doesn’t hold us responsible for any loss we may experience because of it. Think of all those who suffer from dementia, who were faithful, loving people of God, but whose brains have failed them. It’s no sin to have an illness, injury, or disorder of the brain. Indeed, it’s something we can offer up in union with the mental sufferings of Christ, who underwent such agony of heart, mind and spirit that he sweat drops of blood. Be assured that God knows just what we go through and he is ever with us no matter what we may suffer.

On another note, though, if you can get help with your depression then feel free to do that, as well. We don’t have to suffer with things that can be treated by professional help. There’s no shame in seeking help if/when we need it, any more than for a broken bone. Many people suffer from mild depression through changes in their bodies that are quite natural, but which can be helped. So, if this is more than a temporary malaise, you may wish to seek help for your depression.

I will remember you in my Evening Prayer this afternoon. God bless you, my dear.

 

[AmyEliz]

Depression can mess with all sorts of things. I live with depression as well, and while my experience is different, it also affects my faith and my prayer life. I also think that my antidepressants, while necessary, complicate things, as they can make me feel numb.

I agree that you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to a priest about this! I also agree that you should go to Adoration. Just quietly sitting in His presence can help you A LOT!