Depression Demands Living by Faith, Not by Sight

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-counselor-depression-demands-living-by-faith-not-by-sight-93701/

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  (Photo: Courtesy of Christian Counseling & Education Foundation)
  Dr. Edward Welch, counselor and faculty member at Christian Counseling & Education Foundation, and author of the book, "Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness."

By Melissa Barnhart , CP Reporter

April 11, 2013|12:01 pm

Edward Welch, a licensed neuropsychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation in Philadelphia, Pa., provides counseling that is based on Scripture to help patients who are suffering from depression.

For people who've never suffered from depression, Welch describes it as being a chronic physical pain and an eternal presence that seems as though it's never going to change.

Welch told The Christian Post that the experience of depression is the absence of all things that are good. "Think of all of the blessings from the Lord: weather, rain, food and fellowship," he said. "The absence of anything good would be hell; and people use metaphors for hell to describe depression."

Although the word depression isn't found in Scripture, "the word suffering is. Depression is suffering," said Welch, whose book, Depression: Looking Up From the Stubborn Darkness, provides information for those who seek to understand depression from a Christian perspective.   

Understanding the correlation between depression and suffering gives people access to Scripture that effectively works in their lives when they read, hear and speak the Lord's word. A search for the word suffering in the Bible "keys us into all kinds of Scripture," said Welch, who tells Christians to remember God's promise to believers: "God said, 'I'll never leave you;' and 'Your father is pleased to give you the keys to the Kingdom.'"

Welch encourages the people he counsels to speak to God, and "if the pain is too strong, and there are no words, to read from the book of Psalms."

He suggests that they "speak the hard things from our hearts to the Lord." And when people are unable to do so on their own, Welch said he speaks words to the Lord on their behalf.

When people listen to those who share their struggles with depression, they will eventually hear that anxieties come up. "Life is churned up by ever-present anxieties," said Welch, who has been a counselor for more than 30 years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear and addictions.

People who live with a loved one that has depression should "seek to jettison anything that can intensify depression: guilt, shame, regrets, works righteousness, old broken relationships, mythologies about people, God, ourselves, and who we are," he said. People who struggle with depression often have a "pervasive sense of guilt and shame."

"Depression demands another way to live (Hebrews 11:1)," the neuropsychologist continued. "Even though I've been a believer for decades, I still live by how I feel. Depressed people encounter feelings and say, 'why bother, there's nothing good.'" These feelings "demand a radical call to live by faith, rather than by sight. When a depressed person lives by sight, everything is dark."

Because people who struggle with depression feel a pronounced absence of all good things, it can be difficult to communicate with them and provide words of encouragement.

"Seek to love wisely," advised Welch, who said that it's important for families to "enlarge the circle of people" who can support the person who's suffering from depression, by including "other people who pray, love and have wisdom." He emphasized that this includes counselors and psychiatrists, who are partners with families.

Welch added that it's important to "greet, pray, touch and communicate," with loved ones who are living with depression; and to support them and ask questions, without overreacting in anger or hovering, which "tends to make things worse, rather than better."

The depressed person might not know what they want, "but they do know what they don't want," said Welch, who emphasized that family members shouldn't be afraid to ask questions for fear of provoking, as long as they are asked in a loving manner. "Try to maintain normal and good relationships ... talk about things."

Key signs to watch out for with depression is to see if the loved one is "withdrawing from the things they enjoy: people, hobbies and music, for example," he said. "When families see withdrawal, or a movement toward darkness, such as dark movies, dark music, dark people … their loved one might not be falling into darkness, but they are giving words to the things inside them."

"Intense depression waxes and wanes," Welch said. "The physical body can't take extremes of depression for very long." He added that when the depression lifts, "it's as if they see color."

He pointed out that "Winston Churchill suffered from depression and often believed that he could never do anything right, when he was doing a lot of things right." Other people he named as having suffered from depression include: Pablo Picasso, Abraham Lincoln, preacher Charles Spurgeon, missionary David Brainard, and Bible translator J. B. Phillips.

Speaking about the recent suicide of Matthew Warren, who suffered from depression and mental illness, Welch said that his parents, Pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, did everything right. He added that Matthew would've had access to the most skilled people in the body of Christ, and he believes that they had enlarged their circle to help their son.

According to Welch, suicide is unpredictable, and many people observe that there seems to be an improvement in the person, and they seem to be doing better, before they commit suicide. However, he noted that seeing a loved one get better "doesn't mean it's a harbinger of suicide."

"The reality is that suicide is impossible to predict," he said.

Thoughtful people tell themselves that there were warning signs beforehand that they should've seen. Welch described it as being like a football coach who's looking back at the tape from a game. "Part of the tragedy about suicide is that by looking back, they see signs, but in reality, they wouldn't have seen it."

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-counselor-depression-demands-living-by-faith-not-by-sight-93701/#48RiVP00QyYTLVlg.99 

Young adults at greater risk of depression

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/young-adults-greater-risk-depression-20121001

By Poon Chian Hui

When it comes to depression, it matters whether you are a man or woman, young or old. At least, this is what a first-of-its-kind study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) suggests.

A look at the symptoms reported by patients who visited general practitioners (GPs) for other illnesses found that young adults appear at greater risk of the ailment. They were more affected by many problems associated with depression: from weight loss to sadness and low self-esteem.

Younger people also appeared harder hit by fluctuating appetites, and showed a greater inability to experience pleasure from activities that are usually enjoyable, such as exercise and hobbies.

In contrast, those aged above 35 had more trouble than their younger counterparts in only one area - sleeping during the night.

How to Identify and Deal With Depression by Yang Su-Yin

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-health/identify-deal-depression-032716172.html

Does the following sound familiar to you?
•"I've lost my appetite."
•"I can't sleep."
•" I don't know why I feel like crying all the time."
•"I've lost interest"
•"I don't feel like doing anything."
•"Life is meaningless, what's there to live for?"

Such thoughts may be suggestive of depression. Depression rarely creeps up on you without reason. Often, depression is a result of some imbalance in life, a signal that there are areas in your life that need to be managed and not ignored.

If you have been constantly feeling low and experiencing some or all of the symptoms above, it is appropriate to seek professional medical help. This is especially so if thoughts of death or suicide are present. Do not self-diagnose or self-manage without speaking to your doctor first. Following your doctor's consult, below are some self-management tips that you can try at home.

Don't be embarrassed if you need to seek help for your depression. There are professionals out there that can give you support to start living a better life. Remember you are worth it!

Set a routine for yourself and include some basic level of activity throughout the day. This is important to give your life a daily purpose.
Create a daily motto for yourself. This will be your day's inspiration especially when feeling down. Some examples would be: "Life's too short to worry about everything", "Let loose and live", and "It is another beautiful day".

Choose to engage in an activity that you would normally enjoy even if you don't want to do it. This is to prevent you from losing sense of yourself and thus reducing your activity level to a minimal.

Try a new activity that you can do with a group of friends or if you prefer, by yourself. Cultivate new interests that will keep you going.
Rally social support. It is important to reach out to your family and friends around you who can walk you through this rough patch. Turning them away will cause you more harm than good. You need not walk this journey alone.

Don't avoid the feeling of depression. The harder you try to suppress or control depression, the more depressed you might get. Avoidance is not the way but acknowledgement and acceptance will be more helpful to see you through.

Sufficient rest and regular meals are also needed to help with your recovery. Without enough rest and a proper diet; you will not have the energy and the mental capacity to fight this battle.

Use positive self-talk. Believe that your life is worth it and you are worthy as a person no matter what your mind tells you.

Re-look, re-think and re-set your life's goals. Dream again to find that purpose and meaning in your life that will motivate you to live a more fulfilled life.

Be thankful and contented with what you have in life.
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The writer is a senior pyschologist at the Department of Psychological Services and Pain Management Clinic at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

http://www.healthymind.sg/

http://www.healthymind.sg
"According to a news report of Channel NewsAsia on 8 October 2006, Singapore has as many as 350,000 people suffering from some form of mental illness.

The most common ones are anxiety disorder and depression, and the numbers of sufferers are likely to go up with rapid changes and pressures in society."

Treatments of Depression

In my opinion, there're really only 3 methods of treating Depression:

1) Medication
2) Therapy, which includes counselling
3) Spiritual

All these have its merits and effectiveness. You may consider any of its combinations, though some may find relief using only 1 method.

The 1st method depends solely on medications, which alters the mood and chemicals in your brain, and relaxes your body, or drowse you to sleep (or sleep better and longer). This method might not work if you're chronically a pessimist and if forgiveness or guilt/shame is the core issue. Basically, this method will not work for any non-physical related issue, e.g. financial, gambling, marital woes, etc. Well, unless you just want to sleep away your problems, literally! Generally, medications such as anti-depressants and methods such as ECT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy) have proven to be very effective, especially for severe depression.

The 2nd method depends solely on others (primarily the therapist or counsellor), yourself and your support group (usually your close friends or family members). This method is largely dependent on the therapist's skill and method (there are many therapy methods). This method might also not be as effective if you have difficulties opening yourself up, or if you find it hard to trust others. This method also might not be recommended for severe mental conditions. This method could be most suitable especially if you're a chronic worrier or pessimist, or if forgiveness, guilt, shame is a core issue, or if you need help in social skills. You'll be surprised that sometimes, all you need is a listening ear and undivided attention. It is crucial that you have good family/friends support. Just to add, never believe in hypnotherapy or anything that deals with your sub-conscious!

The 3rd method is God-dependent. It is most suitable for people who have lack of family/friends support, are shame/guilt concious, suicidal, have chronic addictions or basically any chronic mental conditions that are deemed untreatable by doctors. It is not dependent on therapist or medications. It works best for people with faith as small as a mustard seed, and with all ounce of hope and trust placed on the supreme higher being. It is obviously not suitable for people who doesn't believe in any god. Seeking spiritual treatment is not akin to buying magic stones or drinking holy water. Many depressed patients are worse off financially and emotionally after seeking unorthodox spiritual method. Try this 3rd method as a last resort if you haven't! That's nothing to lose anyway.

As for me, I believe in Jesus, and He has helped me out of depression. What about you?

Loneliness and Depression

I am no expert in the study of loneliness. I studied depression during my course of studies, but not loneliness. Yet, it is to my belief that there is a strong correlation between loneliness and depression, just as self-esteem and depression.

Bible wrote that there is a good side to being alone. Being alone can be an opportunity to retreat, rest, pray and talk with God, just as Jesus did so often alone and away from His disciples. Most of us would have realised by now that the issue lies not with being alone, but the feeling of being lonely.

"It is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18) I've learnt that when the God says that something is good, it's REALLY good. But when the bible says that "It is not good", it is really NOT good. God said that it is not good for Adam to be alone, and so abracadabra, He created Eve, and made her a helper to Adam. So now Adam is no longer alone. And since being alone is never an issue, but being lonely is, Eve must have solved the "being lonely" issue. Because God was pleased and saw that everything He created was good.

I believe that Adam and Eve shared a very close and pure intimate relationship, one that is found and meant to be shared only in a marriage. They were connected soul-to-soul, heart-to-heart, body-to-body. Thus there was no room for loneliness to creep in. Building on this understanding, can I safely assume then that the key to not being lonely is for a man to have his "Eve", and a woman to have his "Adam"? Theoretically, the answer is Yes. Practically, the answer is No...

You see, when Adam disobeyed God and was tempted by the Devil (serpent), sin crept in. And with sin comes all kinds of hurt and disappointments resulting from unfaithfulness, betrayal, lies, etc. Therefore it is not uncommon these days to find married couples feeling lonely and unsatisfied. Why would that be so if they were the Adam and Eve that God has intended in the first place? If married couples can feel lonely, what more unmarried couples?

So can we say then that the key is not about being married or unmarried, but rather do we have a soul-mate and confidant whom we can trust fully and share our deepest innermost thoughts to? Theoretically, the answer is Yes. Practically, the answer is No. For Isaiah 53:6 says, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." In short, all man have sinned. Meaning all men will lie, all men are selfish, all men have ulterior motives.

If you believe in the bible, you will see that there is no perfect person on earth except Jesus. As such, we are all prone to loneliness, since all men have sinned. If loneliness has a strong correlation to depression, then chances are our loneliness might lead to depression.

I'm not saying that all married couples will be lonely, nor am I saying that all unmarried singles are destined to be lonely. What I'm saying is - until we find that soul mate or confidant whom we can totally trust and rely upon, there is always a void which we can never fill. That void is loneliness. So if you have found that soul mate of yours, and suppose he/she maintains that trust for as long as you live, then congrats, you will never be lonely.

You know what I'm going to write next, don't you? Yes, you've guessed it - it has become almost a cliche to say that the void can be filled by God. But guess what - I'm still lonely. And don't you? Yet all I can only do is to keep praying and tell God how lonely I am (and believing that He alone answers prayers). At times when loneliness becomes overbearing, I do cry to Him. I know I can confide in Him, I know He listens, and that He will never betray nor leave me. I know that He truly loves me. When I have no one to talk to, I can turn to Him. I know I can trust Him entirely with my secrets and deepest thoughts. He said that He is always besides me (though invisible). Sometimes when words alone aren't enough to be express my emotions, tears could. Bible wrote in Psalm 56:8, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."

Whatever, still we all yearn to have a physical soul mate, other than God, don't we? Till then, we can only trust in what Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

It is not good to live alone, and to die alone. I pray for all lonely and depressed people out there, that God can be a comfort to them, and that His presence be so strong within them that it dispels all loneliness. Yet beyond that, for God to designate an Eve to every Adam, and an Adam to every Eve.

Amen!

Bust The Myth About Depression

"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all." ~ Bill Clinton

http://www.youthinmind.sg/bust-the-myth/mental-health

DepressionSymptoms.net

All you ever need to know about Depression:
http://depressionsymptoms.net

Postpartum Depression...and Brooke Shields

http://depressionsymptoms.net/brooke-shields/

"In the eyes of others, she seemed to have it all: a happy marriage, ageless beauty, world fame, fortune, and by age 38, a beautiful baby girl. There was one detail, however, unknown to outsiders: Brooke Shields’s struggle with depression."

"Brooke Shields’s struggle with depression was boggled with symptoms of shame, helplessness, despair, and reclusiveness."

"Worst of all were the disturbing visions that haunted Brooke. She kept visualizing her infant daughter flying through the air until hitting a wall and sliding down it. Although she did not visualize herself committing this violent act against Rowan, the visions were still disturbing to her."

"Unable to bear postpartum depression any further, Brooke sought treatment for her disorder. She decided to take an antidepressant drug called Paxil, along with therapy."

"Times have improved for Brooke Shields. She’s no longer struggling with postpartum depression."

A Biological Explanation on Depression (Video)

These videos seek to explain only the psychological and biological aspects of depression. I personally believe a 3rd aspect is most important, the spiritual part.

The Attack; My Counter-Attack

Adversities, trials and tribulations, the hardships of life all share a striking similarity. They either strengthen or weaken you (and your faith in God). I've read stories of how people gave up on God after they've lost their loved ones to illnesses or accidents, yet I've also heard of cases where people drew closer to God as a result.

I have been a Christian for the past 14 years. I always know there's a God and that He created me, but I never know Him intimately nor experience His love and power before. My relationship with Him could be likened to a roller-coaster ride. I've never placed Him 1st in my life. I was a lukewarm Christian, a little more than a Sunday Christian. Maybe a Sunday and Monday Christian.

God has a very unique yet loving way of waking His children up. I remembered that during my army days, my officers would yelled at me "Wake up your ideas!" Sometimes I would be punished or rebuked by my officers to teach me a lesson. This time round, it was God who gave me the wake-up call.

2010 has been my most memorable year. It was also a year of restoration. It has been my loneliest year, yet a year where I know God most intangibly (not tangibly). It has been my most depressing year, yet a year which I experience God's peace. It was a year where I was down to my last ounce of strength, yet I was the strongest. A lonely yet full-of-God-presence year? A peaceful depressing year? A stronger weak me?

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25)

I've cooped myself up in bed over the weekends, I've had tears streaming down whenever a particular thought flooded my head, I've had indescribable fear that attacked me such that I do not have the strength and courage to meet people or go out. The details of which I do not wish to share openly; only a few closest friends and my church leader know about it. Rather, I find it more purposeful to share this: there is HOPE in the Lord! I would like to share some strategies which I've found it useful. And I know it could help you too. I used the word "strategies", because we're not dealing with mere flesh and blood; we're dealing with dark forces and spirit beings and the unseen. If you deal with humans, you can adopt methods; if you deal with dark forces, you need godly strategies.

1) Even on days that I do not wish to, I would literally force myself to sing praise songs through Youtube. My favourite is Made Me Glad by Hillsong. I sing it everyday, even up till today.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)

2) On days that I can't sleep due to fears or worries, I would call out Jesus name repeatedly before I sleep, and until I drifted to sleep. Yes, I simply meditate on the word "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..."

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

3) I would focus myself on the book of Psalms. My favourite being

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

4) I would pray to God everyday. I would cry to him when I pray. I'm very thankful to God that He allowed me to cry. I felt better after each cry.

"Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry!" (Psalm 88:2)

“I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God.” (2 Sam. 22:7)

5) I meditate on this verse in the train on my way to work every morning.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

6) I would fast every Wed (I choose Wed because it's the mid-week) over lunch. I would dedicate my lunch time to pray to God.

"So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes." (Daniel 9:3)

7) I would ask God to be the army commander in my battle against spiritual dark forces. I would visualise Jesus standing in front of all enemies (my fears and worries), and He's holding my hand with His one hand, and wielding His mighty sword with the other.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)

8) I have consciously choose to praise God for everything and anything. I praise God for His light when the weather is hot, and His rain when it's wet. I praise God when I become hungry (for I know He shall feed me), and I thank Him sincerely after I have my fill.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

9) I started going to church more regularly and joined a cell group. I opened myself up socially to more people.

10) I start to view life with opportunities to give and to serve. I consciously remind myself to be God-conscious instead of self-conscious. I know and own nothing by myself; whatever I do know and have are given to me from God.

"For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either." (1 Timothy 6:7)

"Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share" (1 Timothy 6:18)

11) 1st thing I asked specifically is peace in my heart, love for myself and others, and joy in every situation, above all material needs and wealth.

2nd thing I ask for specifically is for a good mental and physical health.

3rd thing which I ask very specifically is for wisdom to handle life's challenges and to make right decisions.

12) Next on my to-do list is to start becoming active again. Those who know me know that I used to be very active. When you're down, you don't feel like exercising.

13) Last but not of any less importance - support from loved ones and friends. I wish to thank my mum, Shirley and Alison for being with me all these while. You are the next best things beside God. :P

The Number One must-do task is to ask God for help!

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24)

For those who are feeling the weight of the world, be encouraged and be lifted up in the Lord.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Please try these steps, and write to me to let me know if they work for you, as they do for me. May the Lord's peace comes upon the broken-hearted and the discouraged.

Just How Common is The Common Flu of Mental Disorders

In the United States alone, around 10% of the country’s total population of age 18 years and older develop depressive symptoms. Such statistics are representative of developed and affluent countries like Singapore. 10% means that for every 100 people you see in every 1 and a half packed train carriages every morning during rush hour, 1 person is depressed. If it's not you, it could be the person next to you. In a population of 5 millions people in Singapore, you can imagine the staggering number of depression sufferers. Well, the comforting news is that unlike diabetes, depression is not only treatable, it is curable for many.

Why is depression so prevalent? Why are humans so prone to depression? Interestingly, do animals get depressed? Is it only a "poor man" problem, since the rich seem to be happy and in no lack? Is it true that the older one becomes, the higher the probability of him contracting depression? What causes depression?

I like to discuss first about what causes depression. It is wise to know what causes depression, for obvious reasons. I know of people around me who came to me asking for information about depression, either for themselves or for their friends. They cited various reasons such as work, relationship issues, financial, studies, office politics, self-esteem and image issues, etc. Yes, all these and more can cause depression. That explains why it is so widespread. And in case you think you are immune to it, you are not. Famous people like Janet Jackson (singer); Michelangelo (artist); Billy Joel (musician); Boris Yeltsin (ex-Russian President); Princess Diana of Wales; Harrison Ford (actor); J. K. Rowling (author of Harry Potter); Jim Carrey (comedian), Winston Churchill (ex-British prime minister), all suffered from depression and toyed with suicidal thoughts.

It has stirred me lately that the suicidal cases had shot up in the past year, and its victims are getting younger. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that for every successful suicides mentioned in the papers, there are many that were not reported, and many more that were unsuccessful. Though there are many reasons as to why one chooses to end his live, it doesn't take too long to guess that depression is one of them. I like to watch documentaries, and one thing that doesn't fail to amaze me is the fact that animals fight and struggle for survival. Yet the wisest of all living creatures and God's creations, the homo sapiens, choose death.

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV)

"Do not be a fool--why die before your time?" (Ecclesiastes 7:17b)

As much as I would like to condemn suicides, I empathise with its victims. I understand...when one is constantly trapped in a dark tunnel with no ray of lights at its far end, who can blame him for harbouring suicidal thoughts? Who can blame him for feeling utterly depressed, for giving up on life? No, I'm not pro-suicides, but I can try to empathise. When you are up to your neck with debts, when your spouse deserts you for another, when you are being sexually abused by a close relative, when you feel like a worm, a good-for-nothing, when everyone around you has something to be proud of, and you have none...what is there to live?

There is one truth and one hope that I've discovered. And it lies with this one quote which Corrie Ten Boom once wrote “If you look at the world you’ll be distressed, if you look within you’ll be depressed, but if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” Sounds very philosophical? Indeed, but it basically means that if you are self and world-conscious, you will be distressed. If you are Christ-conscious, you can find rest and peace. Think about it, almost all our problems are self-centered, isn't it? How much wealth should I accumulate; am I well-prepared for retirement; how do my friends view me- are they judging me based on my clothes and appearance; how should I climb the corporate ladder; how many true friends do I have? Now I'm not saying all these are wrong, they are good and essential! However, what's your priority?

Is Christ first in your priority list, or last? Do you wake up everyday thinking about how are you going to live out the will of God and please Him, or how many deals you want to close today, or more absurdly but very true, what clothes to wear or bags to carry to impress your colleagues and clients? Again, I'm not God-fanatic and saying that thinking about nice clothes or working hard for sales are wrong. My question is: Who are you doing all these things for? For yourself, or for the glory of God?

"But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given you." (Matthew 6:33)

God knows you need a stable and good career, God knows you like to wear nice clothes and to look good. God can and will like to bless you with these, but first you must seek Him, and ask.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalms 37:4)

Notice that it didn't state "Delight yourself in all your splendor and wealth" The secret to unleash all your heart desires is to "Delight yourself in the Lord".

How Do I Know If I Have Depression?

Before we dwell more on this subject, it is imperative that you know what is the clinical diagnosis for depression. It is important to know if you (or loved ones) could be suffering from depression. Because just as any illnesses, early diagnosis means early treatment. The following is the standard, though not the only, inventory used to diagnose clinical depression. Your doctor would probably advise you better. Use the following only as a general guideline to know if you need to consult your doctor for treatment. Again, this is NOT a diagnosis on its own.

DSM IV Criteria for Depression:

Symptoms of Depression
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
3. Loss of energy or fatigue nearly every day.
4. Loss of confidence or self-esteem.
5. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or any suicidal behaviour.
6. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
7. Unreasonable feelings of self-reproach or excessive or inappropriate guilt, nearly every day.
8. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
9. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
10. Change in appetite (decrease or increase with corresponding weight change).

NB: Symptoms 1 and/or 2 and any 4 others must be present for at least two weeks.

Personally, I believe that God blessed doctors with earthly talents to treat us. So please do not excuse yourself from seeking help from a doctor if you suspect you might have depression. Medications are not the only treatment, but it IS one of the treatments. Just as you would consult a doctor if you have flu, you should consult a doctor too if you have depression.

But while you are seeking treatment from doctors, may you not lose faith in our Lord's supernatural healing:

"But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well." (Matthew 9:22)

The Dreaded D word

“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?” (Proverbs 18:14)

The above verse gave us some insights about a man's spirit and its capability: a person's spirit alone can sustain a person through his sickness, but a crushed or broken spirit itself, who can withstand it?

A person's resiliency and optimism could pull a person through any terrible disease, e.g. cancer. In a similar yet contrasting manner, a person's constant discouragements and chronic pessimism could drag an otherwise physically healthy person into his grave. Therefore, I strongly feel that a person's mental health is far more superior (or conversely, detrimental) than his physical. If mind can indeed be over matter, then our mental is truly over and beyond the physical.

Oxford dictionary defined the term Depression as "severe, typically prolonged, feelings of despondency and dejection", or "a mental condition characterized by severe feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy, typically accompanied by a lack of energy and interest in life".

Are Christians exempted from depression? Just as Christians are never guaranteed a life without adversities and illnesses, we can expect Christians to suffer from depression. King David wrote “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. …I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Psalm 38:6,8 - NKJV). You would probably know that Job was possibly the first man to suffer from depression - "So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity" (Job 7:15-16)". Now that you know the bad news - that Christians are not immune to depression, here's the good part: we CAN overcome depression! Just as we CAN overcome cancer. I admit it requires extraordinary great faith to believe that we CAN overcome cancer (and depression and all dreaded illnesses). Allow me to quote Philippians 4:13

- I CAN do all things thorough Christ who strengthens me.

Now that doesn't mean that you can do the impossible as to fly like Superman, but it does mean that whatever that Christ did during His ministry on earth, He can do it to and through you too. The big question that determines how big your faith is: How much do you believe that because He CAN, through Him you CAN too?

I thank God that I'm qualified to share on this big dreaded D word - Depression. I did my major in Psychology during my uni days, and went on to graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Counselling. I work as a full-time counsellor in a voluntary welfare organisation. That's nothing special or unique, I heard you muttering. Indeed, until I was not spared from depression...

I've learnt to never boast of anything except that which is from God and for God. I do not seek to know anything except from His bible.

"So that no man may boast before God...so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.' " (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31)

"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

No, I'm not holy or pious, though I wish I can be. I am just like you, prone to mistakes, indiscipline, doubts, sins, undesirable habits, negative thoughts, worries, etc. What I will be sharing are from my reading and research, and my personal experience and struggles. I hope you can be blessed through reading them.