Depression - Lexington, KY

I am a newer christian, and I have kind of dealt with on and off depression throughout my life...but recently I was getting very depressed and I wasnt snapping out of it. I was given a book, the purpose driven life, which Im sure you have heard of. I started reading it and it, along with going to sat night service at one church and sunday morning at another church, really helped me feel better. I guess when I get depressed IO just have no motivation and feel purposeless, and I had to just make myself read it and try to get over it for my kids. I listen to childrens bible songs in my car, b/c was is more uplifting than hearing children singing?
Anyway- I just forced myself to load up on spiritually uplifting things. After about a week, I really saw a difference in how I feel.
I am not fond of taking medicines to stop depression, I think they just make your body dependent on them, and make it harder to fight on your own, but I have never had REAL SERIOUS depression....I mean, I have been to the point of thinking about suicide, but not in a way that I would actually try it.
So, I hope this helps you. Sometimes God lets us feel certain ways to remind us that we are not as close as we need to be to him. And remember that this place we call "home" is just a temporary place that is preparing us for eternity with God. The little things that we tend to worry about(i.e. money, looks, material things) will be irrelevant when we are with God, and we will wonder what all the stress and worry was about.

God bless you and I will pray for you and your family. Please write me if I can help you in any way!
trish

Hi C.,

I turned 40 on the day you wrote this post--October 6th. I have to say, that was a bit of a depressing day for me even though my wonderful family worked hard to make it a great birthday. I have struggled with depression off and on since I moved here about 10 years ago. Before that, I had all my family around me and it didn't seem to bother me so badly. Now I have a great group of homeschool moms that I consider my family away from family. Do you have a group of Christian sisters who can help lift you up? If not, maybe you could get involved with a woman's prayer group or something. I have found that one of the best ways to fight depression.

Another thing I do is distract myself. Boredom is one of the biggest causes of depression for me, so I try to keep busy. I have three children who will be ages 20, 16, & 13 within the next couple of months (it's birthday season around here). I homeschool the 16 & 13 year old, which keeps me very busy. I am also involved in their homeschool co-op, and I write Christian romance on the side. Anything to keep my mind working and feel like I'm accomplishing something.

I take a medication for this as well. It is called Wellbutrin, and I feel much better mentally when I'm on it. I didn't take medication for years, but finally I accepted this is a physical problem as well as mental and gave in. I'm glad I did.

I am a Christian and would be happy to talk to you. Email me privately if you'd like.

God bless you,
K.

C., I went through a lot of things during my second pregnancy from an abusive husband in everyway possible, to a cheating husband, a separation and all sorts of other stuff...once my son was born I was diagnosed with severe post partom depression...I have been battling depression on and off now for three years. It is a very scarry thing and can leave you feeling lost hopeless and alone...I have found that lexepro helps great and has very little side effects if any. I am able to better enjoy my kids it helps with the anxiety and has allowed me to take the time I needed to readjust my outlook on life so that I am better equiped to handle what life offers me know...stick with it and make sure you surround yourself with family and friends who love and support you that is the best thing you can do for yourself...it will get better

I am very late in my response. I am most depressed when I am bored. I am also depressed when it turns dark, seasonally.

I go to Bible study on Wednesday nights at my church--being around all the old people that I knew since I was a child helps a lot, etc.

God bless