I have Seasonal Affective Disorder so every winter I experience a marked drop in the quality of my religious life.
2007-12-30 06:08:24 · 9 answers · asked by Dysthymia 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It affects my life,religiously and otherwise, very much.
2007-12-30 06:12:44 · answer #1 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have Major Clinical Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. They don't effect my "religious life" b/c I don't have one per se. Spiritually speaking they are irrelevant. I have them for the same reason I have myopia. My brain is defective just as my eyes are. Simple biology. Doesn't really effect my belief in Deity. I does effect my daily life as it is a constant battle to maintain a high quality of life. Willpower, positive thinking, diet, exercise and stress coping methods do more for me than religious belief ever did (when I was still a Christian).
If you are experiencing SAD there are ways to mitigate it's effects. You can purchase lights that will give you some "sunlight." You can take up some extra outdoor exercise (like a 15 min walk) during the brightest part of the day. As well as vitamin supplements.
2007-12-30 06:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by sappho 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). Whenever I'm depressed I find that I don't have the motivation to do anything. It's not just religion for me, it's everything. My house becomes more messy, I don't get my bills paid or my errands done, and I slack off on my spirituality as well.
I'm not sure how keen you are on medication, but you might want to ask your doctor about Wellbutrin. It's got relatively few side-effects and if you start taking it in September, it'll lessen your symptoms when winter hits. I hope that helps!
2007-12-30 06:15:56 · answer #3 · answered by Autumn 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been diagnosed by several different doctors, all of who gave a different diagnosis. I have some type of depressive disorder, that much is clear. I have had it for many years. At some points, it became so acute and debilitating that the symptoms appeared like those of psychosis. At some points my mind was useless to me. My mind did not function properly for several months at a time. It was a harrowing experience. I lost my ability to do many things during those periods, as well as losing my faith. I was sure that I was lost. But after a number of very acute episodes, I have learned to rely on God to carry me through the toughest periods, so that I do not panic or expect the worst, even when things are bad. When symptoms flare up, I notice them and either raise my eyebrows or chuckle or just note it. I talk to God, who strengthens me, and carries me when necessary. God continue to bless us.
2007-12-30 06:20:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my life, I've found that my depression sets in very hard when I take my eyes off Jesus and the fact that, as his trusting child, he will not let me fall into a possition of total defeat. When I stop depending on God to be the resource of all my needs, its like Peter taking his eyes of Jesus as he starts walking across the water.
Matt. 14:25
Now a "fourth watch" of the night, he came towards them walking upon the "sea."
14:26
But the disciples having seen him walking around on the sea were troubled saying ... that it is a phantom! ...
and they cried out in fear.
14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying ... Have courage, I am, do not fear.
14:28
And having answered him, the Stone said ...
Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.
14:29
And he said ... Come.
And having gone down from the boat ...
The Stone walked around upon the waters ...
and he came towards Jesus.
14:30
But seeing the "strong wind" he was afraid ...
and having begun to sink, he cried out ...
saying ... Lord save me.
14:31
And immediately the Jesus having reached out the "hand" took hold of him ...
and he says to him ... One of little faith, why did you doubt?
14:32
And as they were ascending into the boat the wind ceased.
14:33
And the ones in the boat worshipped him saying ...
Truly ... you are a "Son of God."
When I take my eyes off him and focus on my own efforts to survive financial and emotionally, I begin to sink into a deep "clinical" depression. Then I always need to use that as a signal that I am falling away and emerse myself in my Bible in search of God's Peace and the ability to let it all go and "Let God".
The scripture that comes to mind when I am sinking in depression, anxiety, an being overwhelmed is the passage in Psalms that says: "Be still and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10.
Another text that comes to my rememberance is “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:27-29
My prayer when all I could do is cry with feelings of helplessness, isolation, and defeat is: Lord, You having created the earth can surely get me ou of this emotional mess I'm in.
As my faith strengthens my depression diminishes and eventually Joy and Peace replace the fear and anxiety.
I sure hope this helps... God Bless you and remember fear and faith cannot live in the same house. By the way even if it feels like you don't have any control over your emotions, remember, the Holy Spirit does, and if you turn this challenge over to the Lord you give him the authority to take these challenging emotions from you.
2007-12-30 06:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by *Truth Seeker* 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Truthfully it was during my depression as a teen that I found my way to my faith. I am sorry to hear of the SAD you need to spend time in the sun. If you do not have sunny weather please consider a sunlamp.
Pax,
Debra
2007-12-30 06:14:45 · answer #6 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With Jesus taking first place in your life it's depression and anxiety that will experience a decline, not your faith.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)
Phi 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (NKJV)
2007-12-30 06:40:13 · answer #7 · answered by movedby 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't believe in either. Depression is just another word for feeling sorry for one's self, anxiety just another word for what you get when you try to control the uncontrollable. I am of faith but I also don't believe in RELIGIONS for they all give me "GAS." And it's not "seasonal" either.
2007-12-30 06:22:52 · answer #8 · answered by Theban 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You are not supposed to be depressed or anxiety.
Jesus is the wonderful councilor pray to the father
and ask for his peace and love and joy ask for the holy spirit
in Jesus' name hunger and thirst after righteousness
and he will fill you.You will be comforted.
2007-12-30 06:19:00 · answer #9 · answered by jonathin l 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋