Overcoming Depression

QUESTION: Overcoming depression - What can we do?

ANSWER:

Depression is a terrible malady to experience, yet statistics show that many have been successfully overcoming depression. You are a very rare and fortunate person if you do not experience depression in some form during your lifetime. Unfortunately, many have recurring episodes of depression, which makes life miserable, and living life is sometimes extremely difficult. But there is hope in overcoming depression! It begins with learning to take the responsibility for the disease. When you've successfully taken responsibility, you can learn to manage your depression like a person would manage any other kind of physical ailment.

Sometimes, there's no need to overcome depression, because what a person is experiencing isn't depression after all! In some people, symptoms manifest themselves that mimic signs of depression. Let us look at those first before we claim depression as the final diagnosis.

• General Medical Conditions - There are certain physical problems that closely mimic depression -- thyroid problems, or circadian rhythm problems (of or relating to biological processes occurring at 24-hour intervals). Have a thorough medical checkup and blood work done so you can save yourself years in a psychiatrist's office attempting to treat the wrong issue.
  
  
• Substance Abuse Problems - Are you abusing alcohol, drugs, prescription drugs, or any illegal drugs? Be honest with yourself. You may need to treat the abuse first, and that will allow the symptoms of depression to dissipate.
  
  
• Grieving a Loss - It is normal to grieve a big loss in your life. The time to be concerned is when you become non-functional. Then you may develop major depression and need help.

Once you've ruled out other conditions, overcoming depression begins with knowing what depression really is. The scientific breakdown goes like this: nutrients feed your brain, glands, and nervous system. The raw materials needed for these systems to continue working properly are amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. They can be found from nature, like in herbs, as well as in other supplements. If the brain does not receive these necessary nutrients, depression sets in because the brain is not receiving what is necessary for it to perform. Additionally, chemical imbalances in the brain often lead to depression. A doctor will be able to tell you the specifics of your problem if it is based in these imbalances or deficiencies.

Overcoming depression can often be started and fulfilled by the person experiencing the depression. One free and easily-accessible way to begin overcoming depression is to stop dealing with it on your own! "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you" (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Many people have found that handing their worries and stress over to someone with more strength than themselves ends their depression instantly! Jesus would never leave you to deal with your depression all by yourself! Once you truly give your worries to Jesus, God's son, you will truly know what it means to be at peace! "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us" (Romans 5:1 NLT).