Depression: Antidepressants and the Spiritual Dimension
When are antidepressants appropriate for treating depression?
In my opinion, antidepressants can and should be tried as an intervention for depression when people are suffering some of the following symptoms for over two weeks which hinder their functioning and ability to live a normal life:
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty sleeping and eating
- Loss of weight
- Poor work performance
- Continual fatigue
- Thoughts of suicide or “I wish I were dead”
- Crying spells. (See my article on depression.)
Are a physical examination and mental health consultation needed?
I encourage clients to get a complete physical examination
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When an antidepressant is used, then the person needs to be followed up by his/her doctor to see what the results are and if there are any side effects from the medication. Usually, the doctor or psychiatrist wants to see this patient within two weeks after starting the medication. The patient and doctor need to talk about any other current medications he/she is taking which might be contraindicated for use with an antidepressant. Many other factors must be assessed such as: is the person dealing with an alcohol or drug addiction, or is the woman pregnant, looking to become pregnant or breast-feeding? These patients may not qualify to use an antidepressant.
I encourage clients to manage their own health care by getting the drug insert which gives information on side effects, complications and when it is contraindicated. When clients are on medication they tend to start feeling better and then, stop going to counseling. Unfortunately, they avoid dealing with the real issues which are causing the depression. So, the doctor and the counselor needs to encourage them to continue in counseling to learn better coping skills for the situations or relationship issues they face.
What about natural ways to increase neurochemicals?
Clients need to learn to increase their neurochemicals through natural ways such as exercise and taking time to grow spiritually. The medication will boost their neurochemicals, ie., serotonin, catecholamines… but, it doesn’t change the fact that one has to work through the loss of a loved one or still has to deal with past sexual abuse. Those crises and losses need to be dealt with, processed and grieved.
Is there a spiritual dimension to depression that gets overlooked when we rush into taking medication?
There most certainly is always a spiritual dimension to depression. David writes in Psalm 42:5-6 5, ”Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Every person who walks in my office feeling depressed has an issue with God. Most Christians who are depressed have a general sense of disappointment with God. They struggle with periods of doubt about God’s love for them and begin to question whether He will help them through their problems. Non-Christians express anger towards God wondering “how a good God can allow suffering.” Believing that God does not exist, might not exist or doesn’t care actually is the basis for some of the hopelessness and despair causing their depression.
Perspective and beliefs about God and Who He is changes one’s feelings and perspective on life. When people know that there is a God of the universe Who loves them and has a plan for their lives, they begin to feel more hopeful and experience the comfort and peace they need to work through any trial or disappointing circumstance. They begin to pray and read the Bible which changes the false beliefs underlying their depression.
Since human beings are very complex, it is necessary as well to look at all the underlying causes of depression such as: low self-esteem, losses, physical pain, relationship or financial issues, guilt, shame, trauma, dysfunctional family issues, along with the spiritual and physiological reasons.
Most importantly though, people need to discover a relationship with Jesus Christ so they can be forgiven and be assured of spending eternity in heaven. Experiencing that relationship with Christ, freedom from sin and hope for eternal life makes one’s life on earth more bearable and even joyful. Medication can give people more motivation and energy to get through a depressive period in their life, but it will not be a cure-all for depression.
One must take steps to fight depression on all fronts: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and relationally.
What can people learn spiritually when going through depression?
1. God is there for them. That God can bring real wisdom and help for their needs. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. There is hope for the future both temporarily and eternally. Why? Because Jesus Christ can bring strength and wisdom to make the right choices to face any trial and He promises everlasting life to people who trust Him alone for their salvation. (John 3:16, 10:10)
3. To fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of their faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
4. To build character by learning perseverance and endurance in hardships. (Romans 8) And yes, people will miss out on the spiritual learning experiences of depression when they look for a “quick-fix” vs. working on the core issues which are causing their depression. People can work out of depression with God’s help and the resources (He provides!) which are available medically and psychologically.
All of life is a spiritual learning experience. God is there for people who are suffering. People can really experience God’s help and presence in the valley of depression.
5. To pray fervently
- (1) Surrender your life to Christ and His will. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Him then, read the article, “How to Know God”.
- (2) Admit any sins you have committed (1 John 1:9). Guilt can play a part in causing your depression. But, remember, that Jesus died for our sins and has already paid for your sins (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 4:32). But, you need to admit and repent of any sin which may be part of the cause of your depression…. such as resentment, bitterness or anger. Read about forgiveness.
- (3) Admit any fears you may have. Ask God for the courage to face these fears and to take any steps you need to take to overcome them. Pour out your fears and feelings to God. He can take it!Read some scriptures on fear and anxiety, such as Phillippians 4:6-7, 13 and Isaiah 41:10. These scriptures will remind you that Jesus Christ can provide the inner strength and peace you need and that the Lord is your helper.
- (4) Offer yourself as a sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2). Ask Him for His wisdom (James 1:5) in handling the problems of the day, His perspective on people and your life and the filling of the Holy Spirit.
- (5) Ask God to help you serve Him and others today. Think of one thing you can do. Reaching out to others is a blessing and the giver (you) gets something in return, a sense of achievement, satisfaction. Ask Him to help you do one or two things which will help lift your spirits today and give you hope such as: reading your Bible, exercising, listening to Christian music. Ask God if you need to set boundaries in some relationships so that you can be renewed. Read the article on codependency.
When you pray fervently, fix your eyes on Jesus, persevere in trials and surrender your life to God asking for wisdom, faith, hope and peace, you will see God work! He is able to do above all that you ask or think because He is the Almighty God! (Ephesians 3:14-21)
See other articles and facts about depression, take the depression inventory to evaluate whether you are struggling with depression. Check out Depression, Coping with the Blues and read about Averting Suicide.
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
Hi Me,
“I am a mentor for this website, and I’m so glad that you wrote in the blog. This is serious indeed! You and your doctor need to be working together on the medications that you are taking so that you are committed to the same treatment of your depression. If you have questions or uncertainties of the medication you can compromise the effectiveness of that medication. It is imperative that you talk with your doctor and not stop taking the medication prescribed without consulting with him/her first. There can be some harmful consequences of erratic medication use. Certainly be informed; there is information on the internet about fluoxetine that will help you understand what it is that you are taking but if you have questions or concerns you need to talk to your doctor about them.
But as Lynette as written in the article above, there is also a spiritual dimension to depression. Medication is one part of your path to health but joining that with a search for God’s healing of your heart and mind is also important. God knows exactly where you are! He has answers for you…”
Now, Spiritually, I must say “God knows exactly where you are!” HE has answers for you, Me. You are precious in His sight! In Isaiah 41:9-10 we read “9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’;I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Also, in 1 Cor 1:9 it says “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” NIV.
I have suffered 2 mild depressions in my life: One when I flunked out of university, for not being able to read fast, and the second when my life was a mess because I’d let go of God. Let me give you a few details on that. Here is how God turned me around: “After growing up in a Christian home and being baptized as a teenager, I drifted for 30 years. I had a vague feeling that all was not well, but did not realize how far I’d fallen. With considerable difficulty I did hold onto a job, but was not getting ahead. I had lost rapport with my family (wife and 3 children), felt lonely and even bitter at times. I even looked at horoscopes, but found that evil spirits were starting to cater to me. I was horrified. I prayed that God show me how to straiten out my life. Then God gave me a dream in which I was on my way to hell, and I knew why. That shook me up! For the next 7 days, upon returning home from work, I knelt by my bed and wept bitterly for Jesus to wash me clean. Then I felt refreshed! I asked God what the next step would be, upon which a friend invited me to a Full Gospel Business Men’s meeting. There I received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. What a thrill. I have never been the same since! I’d let go of God, but in His mercy, He had not let go of me. In His love, He drew me closer to Himself than I’d ever been before. My wife and I were led to participate in a Bible study for couples, which helped us to again find one-another. God is now leading me day by day to serve Him. There is so much to do, and so little time. Yet with His guidance people are helped and I am blessed.”
When pulling out of the two minor depressions that I told you about, I found reading the Psalms very helpful. Also, I tried to expose myself only to “positives” in listening to news items, in discussions & conversations, and in my thoughts. I did not need others’ troubles! So, from here on in, Me, you are on your way UP. I wish you much joy in your recovery, one small step at a time. I think it is good to, rather than say that you are depressed, say that you “used to be depressed”, which is step out of it, rather than claiming it by saying you are.
It seems to me that you will need a fair amount of encouragement and prayer, so I suggest the you ask to be matched up wth a mentor. Then you can pour your heart out, explor the posible reasons for your depression, and work to let it go.
Remember, God loves you very much!
Dear Me,
There is absolutely NO REASON to feel guilty about taking a doctor prescribed antidepressant. It is no different than taking insulin if you are a diabetic or as Claire said, casting a broken bone. And that was what a wonderful Christian doctor told me when I was struggling with whether or not to stay on antidepressants. Depression is caused by your brain’s lack of serotonin production and that’s why the antidepressants work. They help with your body’s equilibrium.
Whether or not this is the antidepressant for you is an entirely different matter because different kinds have different side effects. But in any case it takes several weeks to tell whether or not they are having a positive effect so don’t give up after just one pill.
Me, I am in fulltime Christian work, have been for over 35 years, and I have been on anti-depressants for years!! They help my body cope and I will probably be on them until I go to meet my Saviour. And there is not a shred of guilt for taking them as I know without a shadow of a doubt that they balance the chemical imbalance in my body. So I am content in knowing that I am loved by God and living in the power of His Holy Spirit.
Dear Me, I would strongly urge you not to feel guilty about taking a properly prescribed medication for depression. Depression is not spiritual failure, it’s a medical condition. Think of it this way – you probably wouldn’t try to fix the brakes on your car yourself, you don’t do your own dental work, you go to a professional for that and you let them help. Depression is a very real medical issue and it is no sign of weakness that you weren’t able to “fix” it alone any more than it would be a weakness to get cancer, or to be unable to heal your own tonsillitis.
Several years ago I was going to a very large church and the senior pastor there was and is one of the strongest Christians I have ever met. One Sunday he spoke about his own journey with depression, how he had had the exact struggles you describe here, how he had prayed and prayed and asked God to make him strong enough to be happy. He sought medical help, in addition to drawing even closer to God and the medicines helped. I remember him saying that often depression gets demised in the church as not being a real thing, that people just need to cheer up and “have the joy of the Lord”. But he said getting help was the healthiest thing he could do.
I remember he said that he’d be in the Fireside room the next Saturday morning with a coffee and a book and if anyone wanted to come and talk about depression he’d be there, and if not he’d have a good read. He said later that he though one or two people might show up. The next Saturday more than 150 people showed up to talk to him. The church ended up bringing a counsellor on staff part time to help with the need.
I understand that taking drugs can be scary, but many people who take an antidepressant do not have to take it for life. You have done the right thing in getting help and the doctor would not have prescribed the drug for you if he or she did not have a good reason. I’d encourage you to reconsider and think about trying the drug, see if it helps. When you break your arm you put a cast on it to give the arm the extra help it needs to be able to heal. It’s the same thing with antidepressant drugs – sometimes we need a little extra support to be able to heal, for a season, until what’s broken is fixed and we don’t need that extra support anymore.
If you’re concerned about side effects or dependency, go back to talk to your doctor and get a sound medical opinion. But please, don’t feel guilty about being sick. That is not going to help you get better. Be strong enough to accept the help.
Hello thanks for this it’s very interesting. I’ve been depressed for a couple of years and I’m only 22. I stopped going to Church, lost contact with everyone and isolated myself from the world. I thought I could habdle it on my own but I was wrong, I made myself worse, I don’t leave the house unless it to go to the local shop and recently got the courage to go to the doctor who put me on Fluoxetine, I had my doubts about taking this stuff as I’m scared of the side effects and not having anyone in my life to help me decide weather or not this was a right choice. I’ve always had an on and off relationship with God, I felt He doesn’t love meme or care. I took the first pill today and felt so guilty and won’t be taking anymore of the stuff I can’t risk not knowing weather it’s a good choice or not. I wish God made it clear rather than making us guess weather it’s right or not and lets face it I never read or hear a story of a true born again believer who is Holy Spirit filled who took or is led my the Lord to take the meds. Depression has made my life empty, even when I rejoice in the Lord the depression is always there. I even pray to God and pretend I’m okay, maybe then He will see that I’m trying to overcome and look past myself, when I’m around others I smile and laugh but I know that I’m dead inside. Oh well I’ve accepted life and for those who are considering taking Fluoxetine I’d advise you to get all the information you can it’s not just a pill that will make you’re problems go away but it’s seripus Thanks and bye x