The stigma of Depression

If I take antidepressant medication,
does it mean that I am lacking in faith ?

The stigma of Depression
People aren't perfect
Sometimes Depression needs medication (Disclaimer)
It isn't your fault !
There IS hope
Don't beat yourself up

The stigma of Depression

In today's society there is a huge stigma attached to Clinical Depression. It is an illness that is widely misunderstood. Any illness that causes a change in a person's emotions or affects the way a person behaves such as Depression, Bipolar-depression, Anxiety disorders, Schizophrenia, etc., is often regarded as a weakness in a person's character or thought of as insanity or that the person is just plain crazy.
When a Christian suffers from Depression there is even more of a stigma. A true believer shouldn't be depressed. At least that's the message we often get from well meaning fellow Christians. I'm not denying the fact that God teaches us through His word [the bible] exactly what a person needs to find true happiness in life. The most important and first step is:
1: Realize that by ourselves, we humans can do nothing apart from God.
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" 2 Corinthians 3:5

2: Because of the blood shed by His Son, Jesus Christ, we can receive the gift of eternal life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you" 1 Pet 1:3,4

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People aren't perfect

Every human being whether Christian or not, has and will continue to have sin in their life.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

If a Christian chooses to partake in a sin that they know is against Gods Word, and for whatever reason they do not confess it to God and turn away from it, then problems which may include depression are sure to plague them.

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" Proverbs 28:13

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Sometimes Depression needs medication

If you have been diagnosed with Clinical Depression by a doctor, usually part of your treatment will require the use of antidepressant medication. This is also a topic that is widely misunderstood.

Once again, being a Christian in this situation causes a lot of added stress and guilt. We must first understand the facts about antidepressants.
1: Antidepressant medications are not the same thing as tranquilizers.

Antidepressants treat Depression by adjusting the neurotransmitter levels in the brain. (See: What is Depression ?)

You do not get "high" or experience a quick fix for your "nerves" from taking antidepressants. Once a person begins treatment with antidepressant medication it usually takes weeks before the Depression lifts completely.

2: You cannot become addicted or "hooked" on antidepressants.

Because antidepressants are not in the same drug classification as tranquilizers, sedatives, or pain killers the body does not become addicted to them. If a person whose brain chemistry is functioning properly takes antidepressant medication, they will not experience any benefit.

In the same manner that a person with Diabetes does not become addicted to their insulin injections or pills, a person with Depression doesn't either. In both of these medical conditions, the medication is used to enable the body to function normally.

***** DISCLAIMER ***** I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I am in no way trying to lead you to believe that by taking antidepressant medication your life will be free from trials or stress. The reason I support medication to treat Depression is because that is the kind of illness (Clinical Depression) that I have. I have experienced life without medication and have doubted my own worth as a Christian for not being able to overcome it through faith and prayer alone. For me, my medication is a gift from God. I will eternally be thankful that He has provided the help that my body needs. It allows me to break away from the chains of Depression that immobilize my life. Without it, I would be of no use to anyone. I would be unable to make use of the time God has given me in this life. Top of page
It isn't your fault !
If you have Depression, and you need to take medication in order to function...IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT ! No one is immune from illness and disease. As long as we live on this earth, our bodies will continue to age and be suseptible to sickness. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we can look forward to a day where our bodies and minds will be whole and perfect the way God originally designed them to be.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
But in the meantime we are able to take advantage of the miracles of medicine that God has given us. He has given man the wisdom to invent treatments and cures for thousands of physical ailments. We would never think of someone with pneumoia as being less of a christian for taking antibiotics. Or condemn a person with cancer for not being strong enough in their faith to pray away their tumor. It is no different for a person with Clinical Depression.
God loves you. He has created you and redeemed you in Christ so that you can live a full and meaningfull life. Unless God chooses to heal you of Depression you need not suffer in vain.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;...perplexed, but not in despair;...struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor 4:8-9

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There IS hope I've always asked God to show me a way to help other people with Depression. I believe the first step for me to help others is to stop hiding my illness. There was a time when my children were still in grade school where I was totally unable to function because of Depression. It took everything within me just to get in the car and drive them to school each morning, and pick them up in the afternoon. I used to lie down on the front seat while waiting for the three of them to come to the car. I didn't want any of the other moms to see me for fear that I'd have to make up some story about why I hadn't been around and why I looked so awful. I'd always be fighting back the tears on the way back to our house.
Fortunately, medication has caused those days to be a thing of the past. Every so often I sink back into the depths of Depression, but it is always due to some sort of alterations with my meds or because I've wanted to see if I could do without them. During these times, I now try to be honest about my situation. Surprisingly, because of this honesty, I have met many people who admit to having the same problem. Because of this we are able to support one another which is much better than suffering alone. The apostle Paul wrote:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor 1:3-4
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Don't beat yourself up
Unfounded guilt is one of the symptoms of Depression. Don't pile more guilt onto yourself by wondering if a lack of faith is the cause of your illness. And don't burden yourself with needless shame for fear of what others might think of you. We need to come out of the closet, so to speak, and stop hiding our illness.

"Don't be afraid of people. I am with you, and I will rescue you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8

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