The Christian and Depression – Part 1

Depression is serious and is to be treated with great care. I am not a medical expert. What follows is merely my opinion. However, I believe that I have something to say on the subject of “The Christian and Depression.” If you are reading this and you are struggling with depression, you must get help. The only way through depression is with the help of others. Even if that path includes medication, it starts with the help of others. If you are having harmful thoughts, stop what you are doing and call 800-273-8255. I know it does not feel like it, but you can do it. I believe in you!

There is so much to cover on the topic of depression. It is not my hope to frustrate anyone. Here, I will focus on the biological aspect of depression and how a chemical imbalance can be viewed.

The Mayo Clinic defines depression as “A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.” It is important to call things what they are and to understand what we are talking about. Read the above definition above again and tell me where it indicates, even subtly so, that depression can be overcome by willpower?

I submit that depression cannot be overcome by willpower. At least, not at first. One needs to throw all of yourself into getting better, but that only goes so far. The reason for this is that, at its core, depression lives in the brain. That is to say, there is a significant chemical component to depression. Now, how one gets to that chemical imbalance is, I think, mostly dependent upon the individual. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes the chemical imbalance has nothing to do with the individual. This is not a sin issue. This is not an attitude issue. It is biological, and you cannot change it on your own.

Some might argue that certain kinds of diet might help or even prevent such imbalances. There is a lot of truth to that. Regardless, this does not help a child born with these chemical imbalances. The child’s behavior might not even register as depression but is there nevertheless.

We must understand the biological component of depression. In and of itself, that provides peace to many who feel like they are to blame for their depression. If a chemical imbalance causes your depression, then medication or specific lifestyle changes are most likely the paths to freedom. Even then, it does not always resolve. There is no shame to be had in seeking these remedies. Here we find another taboo: taking medication for depression is a sin.

I do not know why this is the case. Is the person who has a headache and that takes Tylenol in sin? Of course not. Are you living in sin when you take medication for seasonal (repeats every year, so possibly never-ending) allergies? How about when you need surgery that requires removal of organs or alteration to your body? Is that a sin or a sign of weakness? We do not look down upon these examples, and yet, we look down upon depression. Why is that?

The person who goes for life-saving surgery is seen as prudent. Why in the world would you not get the medical help you need? In most instances, the need for surgery comes from an internal deficit, i.e., cancer, sickness, etc. Of course, a lot of surgery is done preemptively. Still, that is not looked down upon.

Sure, the church would rally behind someone and pray for God to touch and heal them. We would pray that God would guide the surgeon’s hands and for the best possible outcome. We pray for long life, etc. This is normal and even seen by many as a sign of faith. And yet, we seldom extend the same attitude towards depression.

I am focusing on this because I want you to understand that depression is not the boogeyman. It is serious, but no more so than life-saving surgery. Here is where I need to be careful and exact. We must start thinking about depression in terms of categories. I will focus on two: depression is biological and involves chemical imbalances and symptoms that mimic depression. We use the word depression far too quickly. The words “I feel depressed” are overused in situations and scenarios often explained by a lack of a proper spiritual and emotional foundation. It is easier to blame depression than to admit we need to step up and make positive changes in our lives.

In the same vein, I am positive that many who are on medication for depression do not have depression, as defined by the Mayo Clinic above. Instead, there is a genuine lack in their lives spiritually and emotionally. The effects of which will always mimic depression to various degrees. Now, I cannot say that medication is not an adequate remedy here. However, I do firmly believe there are alternative ways to get help if you fall into this category.

First, I wanted to focus on defining what depression is and establish my two categories for it. Next, I will focus on the difference between these two categories. I believe there is a difference and that the two get mixed up by many far too often. The former is biological and involves chemical imbalances, and needs one sort of “treatment.” The latter mimics the symptoms of depression but points to a lack of emotional and spiritual foundation and requires a different kind of “treatment.”

Depression is serious. I am in no way trivializing it. On the contrary, I am attempting to normalize it. This might be impossible with so few words. At the very least, I hope to help foster grace and create a safe place for dialogue on this real and necessary topic.