How Seriously Do You Struggle with Depression?
Depression is a problem I think every person faces, at times. Jesus, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief was depressed, even bemoaning that He had no place to lay his head.
But there are different levels of depression that people experience. It doesn’t matter if you are a pastor or layman, depression is an issue.
Some of it can be DNA and/or body chemistry. Other factors include frustrated expectations, anger, trauma, brain damage, or horrid situations. Depression is a symptom with many potential causes. Some people are sensitive to weather and lights, others have struggled their entire lives.
One man in our church used to boast that he was never depressed and couldn’t understand how others could be, with God being good.
He then had a stroke that partly paralyzed him and said to me, “OK I am now depressed.”
So the assumption is depression is a battle. How big a one?
Please pick the closest choice. There are many more options I suppose I could have offered, but it depresses me to think about them! 
Comment if you feel free to do so. Others may wish to remain annoymous but simplly register their vote. Thanks!
Poll Results
How Seriously Do You Struggle with Depression?
Depression is a big battle for me; I take (or have taken) medication to try to combat it. Votes: 2
Depression is a big battle for me, although I haven’t taken medication, there were probably times when I should have. Votes: 1
Depression is a battle for me, but I have not or will not take medication. Votes: 1
Depression is an occasional struggle, but by the grace of God I get through it. Votes: 9
Depression is only a rare struggle for me. Votes: 4
Depression has not been or rarely is an issue for me. Votes: 10
Other Votes: 0
Due to uncertainty about my job situation—yeah pray if y’all would—I got to admit to my doctor for the first time that I do occasionally deal with depression. Since I mentioned a proximate cause for uncertainty, that was as far as it went.
I also have the opportunity to encourage a young man from church who’s dealing with the same, specifically encouraging him to look to someone more experienced than I for dealing with his issues.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
I think depression is a really important topic to be discussed, as it has so many particularities and so many people struggle with it. We need to be considerate of other people’s feelings and approach them in the right way. You never know what lays underneath all the smiles and fake laugh. Personally, some years ago, I reached my lowest point in life after losing a true friend. I never talked with anyone about it, but deep down I was hurting so much. I was staying mostly inside and dealing with acute depression. I knew I needed help, so I tried getting online therapy on https://lifestance.com/condition/stress/. This online platform really helped me overcome my issues.
Living near Rochester, Mayo’s websites are my go to for various medical conditions, and one of the things I’ve noticed most is that there is a tremendous amount of “self-care” that can be very helpful for most conditions, especially depression. We’re talking diet, sleep, exercise, friends, that sort of thing. Beyond that, a doctor’s view will typically have a “talk therapy” portion (kinda what Katherine is talking about) and possibly a drugs portion.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
Discussion