Depression could affect anyone,
Christian, whether nominal or born-again, non-Christian, whether Muslim or
Hindu, the guilt-ridden criminal and so on. It is ‘a vague, all-inclusive
umbrella of systematic self-accusation, general overall feeling of anxiety and
condemnation which cannot be pinpointed’.[1]
It is a feeling of severe despondency
and dejection. The affected persons feel very sad, hopeless and unimportant.
They lose all interest in activities which were once interesting and enjoyable.
If the situation continues for more than two weeks unabated, it is time to
consult professional Doctor or a psychiatrist.
A depressed person might have experienced
a deep loss, or hurt, like death or divorce or a failure in an important examination.
It could be a break up in a relationship, boyfriend or girlfriend. Depression
can set in when a person is not able to decide on a matter, and they feel
trapped and powerless to get out of their situation.
Also it could be due to anger frozen inside
a person, in the form of an unresolved, repressed or improperly expressed anger,
towards a parent or any other person, gnawing from within. It could be because
of anger due to perception of some deep sense of injustice and unfairness affecting
his/her person or community or society.
Negative thoughts assail their minds
and they are very vulnerable. Suicidal tendencies will run high in such
persons, and it is always wise to take seriously the threats of such people
that they will commit suicide.
A person’s temperament plays a major role in
that people who are over-sensitive and extremely introspective often get
affected by this malady, for example a melancholic person is more vulnerable to
such attacks. The temperament which we receive at birth is not changeable, but
can definitely be surrendered to God, who will bring it under His control and
guide it in the right path.
A depressed person is not only week
in his mental makeup but physically also. Their energy level is low and they
are low in protein. It is necessary to feed them for a few days on a
high-protein diet.
Correcting the injustice in the world
and unfairness in society is finally the business of God and we need to keep
out of it. Such persons also need to forgive whoever harmed them emotionally or
otherwise and let go of those hurts. It is God’s business to seek vengeance. He
will do it at the right time. In the mean while for our own-sake, it is better
to forgive those who harmed us. It is like a catharsis, bringing healing in its
wake.
A person under depression should not
be allowed to remain alone. Isolation and alienation will push them further
into depression. Depression is also a cry for help from the others, that they
are not able to manage and they need other’s help. Such help needs to be
extended. When they share their fears and guilt with family, friends and
supportive social networks, they will feel better.
Daily physical exercise is a great
medicine in such cases. Such people must try and keep themselves fully
occupied, even if it is a mundane house chore like cleaning the refrigerator. The
family of the person under depression needs to be very supportive and watch the
person keenly for any symptoms of suicidal tendencies and other such
self-hurting moves. Never leave that person alone for long.
Love of God, our Maker is a soothing
balm at such times. We need to remember that God loves us not because we are
clever with our brains and hands or because of our feelings or our performance.
He loves us because His very nature is love. ‘He loved us before we loved Him.’
It is good to resort to singing when
one is down and out, singing songs of praise and worship. Paul and Silas were in
the jail but were singing Psalms of praise and worship, when an earthquake
shook the prison and their chains broke and they were let loose!
David King of Israel, was a melancholic
person, subject to bouts of depression, but he sang psalms giving up his
desires and agony and despair to God, depending on Him to get him out of depression.
When a person under depression reads these poems aloud, it works like medicine
to the affected mind.
And we are not alone in whatever we
go through. Jesus Christ is always with us, walking with us and waiting for us
to take help from him/her. It is better that a depressed person relies heavily
on Christ and His love for him/her. The Holy Spirit, our Helper and Counselor and Comforter will abide with us and hold us in His hands safe until we feel
the touch. ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you.’
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