Do you know that more than 300 million are suffering from depression? According to the WHO health analysis, millions of people suffer from depression every day.
Have you ever been down and extremely sad about something that you probably could not share with anyone for a long time?
It is normal for us (human beings) to express some form of sadness when things don’t work out the way we want or when negative events or experiences show up. After all, people say life is full of ‘ups and down’ and most often ‘life is not fair.’ Is that really true?? Anyway, that’s a different subject
But when this sadness exceeds the normal mood fluctuation and continues over a long period of time, you might likely be depressed. We would take a look at the definition of depression shortly but before that let’s highlight some of the symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of Depression
- Disillusionment – A constant feeling of hopelessness about life. Nothing looks good to you any longer. Everything seems to be your enemy, even an offer of help is seen as a deadly attack.
- Indifference to Life Events/Activities – You are just in a default state of boredom and disinterestedness. You don’t want to do anything any longer even the basic activities of bathing, eating, playing your favourite games becomes a burden.
- Loss of Appetite – You don’t feel like eating again. This might lead to weakness and eventually sickness.
- Insomnia – To sleep becomes a problem because your mind is always occupied with hopeless thoughts.
- Aggressiveness – You suddenly become irritated by what everyone does around you. Including your self. You find it difficult to tolerate anything or anybody in the universe.
- Self condemnation -You feel so bad about yourself and you begin to nurture the thoughts of suicide. You feel there is nothing to live for. You hate yourself, your thoughts, your acts and your words,
- Escapism- You begin to find activities to engage in, in order to ease your mind of the stress of the hard thoughts in it.
- Mental Imbalance – You begin to have trouble remembering things or making simple life decision as what to cloth to wear or what to but
So what is depression?
What commonly defines depression is the feeling of anger, sadness, and not enjoying the activities that you used to enjoy before. Depression is far more than having a bad mood, it is a state of acute sadness that confines the victim in a state of negativity without hope of anything good.
The person just consciously or unconsciously remains in that state of sadness over a long period of time. So do you think you are depressed??
Even if you are, you don’t have to worry that is why we are here. ?
Many people may think that it is normal to be depressed once in a while, but do you think it is where you want to be every time? I don’t think you should be there at all because there is actually more to depression than the feeling of sadness.
According to WHO, “depression is the largest cause of disability in the world”. (like seriously?) ?
This means to a very large extent all the forms of disabilities in the world has a link to depression. Let me put this in clearer terms; many sicknesses, disorders, and trauma come as a result of depression. Now I think you have a little idea on why you should avoid being depressed as much as you can.
As much as depression leads to other sicknesses, have you ever wondered about the cause of depression?
The major and strongest cause of depression is “you”!
Why “You” is the cause of depression
Yes, I know this may come as a little shock? because I am sure that you will likely be asking yourself these questions; “How can I cause myself to be depressed”, “Do I hate myself that much”. As funny as this may sound, this is simply the truth.
“You” are the reason why you are depressed because you are in charge of your life and your response to the situation lies solely within you. Mind you, this is just to help, it is not an attempt to condemn you.
Don’t bounce off the page, just read on.
So when you fill your hearts with all the negative things that have happened to you and give those things the attention they want, they begin to grow and as they grow they suppress you.
The logic behind depression is that you see any bad thing or negative thing that is happening to you be it sickness, marital problem, financial crisis or any situation that is bringing you down as very big?, and you see yourself as very small? and helpless before these things and the devil will now use this situation to cage you and put you behind the bars of depression.?
Hope you are not about to push the blame on the devil right now? Yes, we know that the devil has a hand in every bad thing that happens, but who let him in? “You” did.
I know you would say, but how? You let him in through your thought and your mind, and being really wicked he took advantage of that. No wonder the bible says in the book of Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is”
So if you think these negative things, you will likely be depressed:
- If you think you are nothing, you will get nothing from life
- If you think you can’t do anything, then you won’t do anything
- If you think you are the worse, you will never do anything good
- If you always think sickness, you would always be sick
- If you think you are always unlucky, then you will always experience ill luck
- If you think you can’t be wealthy, then you will never be wealthy
- If you think you are sad, then you will always be sad
What do you fill your mind with? what are you thinking about right now? As a Christian (If you are, if not become one now) taking charge of your life and controlling your thought is the first stage to gaining your freedom and happiness in life. But the big question is how do you control your thought?
You can only control your thought by the word of God. It is important for you to know God promises for you and your life as against anything that you are currently experiencing. You need to guard your heart and your mind with the word of God even when you are experiencing a really terrible situation.
You should always have the promises of God as the number one thing on your mind. It is the word of God that will help you know the things that are freely given to you by God. As a Christian, it is important for you to fill your heart with positive things. The is why the bible says in the book of Philippians 4 vs 8
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things”.
It is important for you as a Christian to meditate on things that are good. Meditating on good things will always bring good results because it will renew your mind and make you feel at ease always.
Even if you are experiencing a disease like cancer, dwelling and meditating on that sickness or things that the sickness will likely bring will do you no good at all. I understand that it could be a really trying period for you when you are facing trying times. You can do yourself the good of filling your heart with the right words and thoughts. Thinking positive can reduce the risk of depression to a really large extent.
Luke 6 vs 45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart”
Why You are Depressed?
I cannot categorically say why you are depressed, but there are different factors that may have contributed to your depression.
For instance, if you are living in Nigeria, there are many factors that could lead to depression, things like economic instability, lack of amenities and provisions and the overall stress factor accompanied by living and working in Nigeria.
According to the NOIPolls/Joy, Inc. National Report, 60 million Nigerians are at risk of depression. So you see how one can almost not escape the risk of depression.
Different people value different things, and most of the time, when we can’t get or lose those things that we value, it puts us under pressure and after a while then depression might set in.
Since we understand that different people value different things, then what may cause depression may likewise vary. The following are the different factors that may lead to depression.
10 Reasons Why you are Depressed and the way out
Just like I said earlier, many factors can lead to depression for different people depending on their experiences or their state of mind. Below is a list of different factors that can lead to depression for different people.
Medical Condition
When people experience serious medical conditions and they feel that there is no way out for them, it is easy for this kind of person to fall into depression considering the condition that they are faced with.
Sickness is one thing that the devil uses to inflict humans to make them believe that God doesn’t love them anymore.
According to science, people that are diagnosed with long term sicknesses have the tendency to become depressed over a period of time. People diagnosed with this illness have the tendency to become depressed:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Kidney Disease
- HIV/AIDS and etc.
Living with this medical condition may make the victim incapable of doing things that they love doing, because they may experience some form of disabilities that may confine them to the feeling of sadness which may lead to depression over time if not approached with the right mindset. The feeling of extreme dependence on other people around may make the victim fall into depression.
How to avoid falling into depression when you are experiencing a medical condition
Sickness is one thing that the devil loves to use to get at anyone so that he can drag them into depression, but that is not God’s plan for your life.
I understand that it could be a really trying time when one is experiencing sickness, but the first thing for you to do is to be illogical about the situation. I know that this may sound funny, but being illogical about the situation will help you believe what God has done concerning your health.
The Bible in the book of Jeremiah 30:17 “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord”. It is important for you to believe with all your heart that the Lord will give you back your health, that truth will help you stay strong even while you are experiencing any sickness. This will also help you avoid being depressed.
The bible also says in the book of Isaiah 55:5 that “By his stripes you were healed” Isa 53:4-5. This means that you have already been healed by Jesus Christ. All you need to do is to believe it and work in that consciousness always.
Loss of a Family Member or Friend
Not everyone can deal with the trauma that comes with losing a family member or a loved one. Not everyone has the capacity to handle loss especially when it has to do with the people that they love.
This is usually common among children, teenagers and women sometimes. When these sets of people lose someone it is usually hard for them to forget about the loss and move on with life due to their age or the level of commitment they have with the person.
Women that lose their husbands most times experience depression in their lives at one point or the other living without their partners.
For example, I heard a story of a little that lost her close school friend, she remained sad over a very long period of time, she could not play like she used to do before, and she started failing in school and finally fell into depression. It took a lot of work to make sure that she came back to her normal self as before.
How to deal with the loss of a family member and avoid being depressed
Losing loved ones like family members could be a lot, but you have to focus on the love of God, and the joy in the Holy Ghost to retain your peace and happiness.
We know that it is not easy to deal loss, but the bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. All you need is to study the word of God because it is through the word of God that you find joy and strength to carry on in life.
Adverse childhood experience
Some children did not have the love and care they are supposed to get as children growing while they were growing up. Some children were exposed to different ugly situations that marred their lives and kept them under depression.
There are lots of children especially little girls that have experienced rape at one point in their lives or the other. With these kinds of ugly experiences, these kinds of children are more likely to fall into depression especially when they are not able to share these experiences with anybody.
Let me give you an example; I heard the story of a girl that was raped by her uncle that was supposed to be a care giver, after a series of rape, this girl fell into acute depression while growing up. It became so bad that she doesn’t talk or relate with anyone especially if the person is a male. So depressed that she eventually murdered her uncle when she could lay her hands on him.
Aside from rape that which is one of the common negative occurrences, children experience adverse situations like extreme brutality from parents, caregivers, neighbours etc. These kinds of children that are brought up with so much pain and brutality are children that will most likely fall into depression considering the experiences that they have been through.
How to avoid falling into depression after passing through a bad childhood experience
No matter how someone or a situation has robbed you of your innocence as a child that may make you fall into depression, you have to understand that God’s plan is for you to be happy regardless.
No matter what has gone wrong with your childhood, God can turn everything around for your sake and give you a fresh start in your life.
No wonder the bible says in Psalm 126:130 “When the lord turned again the captivity of Zion, they were like them that dream…” God can turn around every negative thing that you have experienced and give you a fresh start again. All you need is to hold on to him and believe in his word.
Poverty
This may sound funny, but it is true that many people are depressed because of their financial capacity. With technological advancement and innovations coming up on a regular basis, it is easy for people that don’t have access to these things to fall under depression.
Poverty is one factor that can make a wide range of people depressed. Men commonly suffer from poverty-related depression. When a man is experiencing financial cracks and cannot measure up with other men like him, it is possible for him to be depressed because he can no longer take his place in his home as a man.
I have heard of a situation where a man kills himself because he is experiencing poverty. Aside from men, when the needs of children are not met due to poverty, there is a possibility that this kind of child may likely develop low self-esteem that may grow to become depressed if not properly managed.
Let me share my experience with you; growing up as a child, I watched my parents struggle with finance to take care of us. And because their financial life was not balanced, my need as a child was not really met. When I take a look at other children in the school that had everything they wanted, I felt that I was unfortunate, I developed low self-esteem, but I was that it did not lead to depression. Just like me, I know that there many children that are feeling the way I felt years ago.
Poverty is one thing that can confine many people, especially people living in third world countries without a stable economy and amenities.
How to avoid falling into depression as a result of poverty
I understand that it could be really frustrating when you cannot provide for your daily needs and you watch yourself lack every good thing that you deserve. God does not want you to be poor, he wants you to have abundant in him.
See what God wishes for you in 3 John 1:2 “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth”. So God wants you to prosper and not to be in poverty. You have to follow God’s principle of making wealth – principles of giving, paying your tithe, discovering your purpose, and most important finding something legal and tangible to do.
You must find something to do because God said in his word that he will bless the works of our hands. Your hands must find something doing. You can acquire a skill, get more knowledge and ask God for his direction.
Stress
It is no news that the 21st-century man is stressed. I understand that stress varies depending on the situation and approach. From research, I have discovered that the people that feel more stressed are the people that are always anxious to get things done which they eventually don’t get done.
People that let situations and events overwhelm them are people that are more likely to be stressed. It is possible for someone to have a lot of work to do and still not be stressed or overwhelmed by the situation. If you are living in Nigeria, particular Lagos, there is a very high possibility that you may end up being stressed at the end of the day.
Being stressed over a long period of time can lead to depression if it is not controlled at an early stage. And most of the time, women are more likely to fall into stress-related depression.
Managing the home and the children with house chores can make women feel really depressed.
For example; I once lived with a neighbour that had three children and felt really stressed with taking care of the children and managing the home that got her really stressed. At a point, she got really depressed being a wife and a mother.
How to deal with stress and avoid falling into depression
We know that stress is something that is synonymous with the 21st-century man, especially when you are living in Nigeria. Regardless of the work that you do, you can achieve more without experiencing any form of stress.
The feeling of stress starts from the mind. God wants us to be in the right state every time. That is why he said that we should be of good cheer always.
Even when you are experiencing any form of stress, the Bible says in Joel 3:10 “let the weak say I am strong”
Psychological Disorder
People suffering from psychological disorders of any kind are people that are prone to be depressed. A lot of factors lead to psychological problems, for some people losing a family member or friend can cause a psychological disorder for many people.
In developing countries, one thing that can cause a psychological disorder is poverty and lack of amenities. When people especially children experience a harsh condition of living they are more likely to be depressed over time dealing with such harsh conditions.
Sickness can also make some people feel some form of psychological disorder, and after the sickness, this set of people may end up becoming depressed.
There are some natural herbs that God has given unto us to help our mental health, one of them is the Turmeric Curcumin.
Personality Type
Some personality types stand the risk of getting depressed more than other personality types. People that are melancholic in nature stand a higher chance to experience depression far more than people that are extroverted in nature.
People that have low self-esteem are also prone to depression; since they feel really low of themselves already it will take a very little situation to occur for them to get depressed.
There are some people that things get to naturally, very little things weigh this kind of people down easily. So your personality type can be the reason why you are depressed.
A study carried out by healthcentral.com shows the different personality types that are prone to depression:
– The isolated introvert
Since introverts crave to stay alone with little or no interaction with others. So when the need for socialization occurs, an introvert may likely feel anxious about the whole situation.
An introvert avoidance of social situations can make it difficult for anyone to try to help you if they become depressed.
The study shows that greater isolation can deepen an already existing depressive condition.
– The overachieving perfectionist
Some people are a perfectionist and these kinds of people always want to get everything right, and when they don’t get everything right they have a tendency to fall into depression.
Perfectionists are usually intolerant to mistakes, they don’t tolerate each other as much as they don’t tolerate people.
The personality of a perfectionist is one that is linked to anxiety and depression. The motivation to be perfect can be a great source of anxiety and stress that can put you at more risk for developing depression.
If you are a perfectionist, then you may stand a risk of getting depressed.
– The daydreaming creative type
Creative people usually have multiple talents. Depression is not an uncommon factor that affects creative people. According to a study, bipolar disorder has been associated with creativity.
Studies also show that there is a strong link between creativity and mood disorder. This makes us understand that creative people are prone to fall into depression.
– Environment
The environment that one finds himself goes a long way to determine the person’s state of mind. Just like we discussed earlier, a lot of environmental factors can lead to depression.
Factors like:
- Death of a loved one
- Relationship problem
- Natural disasters
- Health complications
- Stressful/demanding work
All these environmental factors can make a lot of people fall into a really depressive state. People that stay in communities that are experiencing environmental hazards are more likely to fall into depression faster than others.
People that engage in really stressful or demanding work are more likely going to be prone to falling into depression.
A recent study shows that people that experience some form of stress at work will be more prone to fall into depression than others.
Loss of purpose
Everyone has a purpose in life. There is a reason why everyone is here on earth, it may not be very clear what you are supposed to do here on earth, but the unique thing about every human being on earth.
When you are living a life that is without purpose you will not find satisfaction in anything that you do, and it is that lack of satisfaction that would make life seem meaningless to that person which can also lead to depression.
It is no news that people get depressed when they cannot make sense out of their life at all, they feel that they are just useless and they may prefer to die in extreme cases.
Different situations can make different people feel that their lives do not have a meaning and feel like they have lost their purpose in life. Situations like:
- Losing a family member or all the family
- Losing a wife or a husband
- When things are not working out the way it is supposed to
- Extreme and prolonged poverty
- Experiencing rejection
Many times these reasons make a lot of people feel like they are wasting their time and living their life for nothing. These situations can also make a lot of people lose their purpose in life and also make them fall into depression.
Relationship with others
Many times people feel depressed as a result of their relationship with others. It is true that no man is an island of knowledge, and we need each other to survive in this world.
It could also be extremely painful when the people that you believe you can help you survive in this world can are no longer there for one reason or the other, these have made many people fall into extreme depression.
“I recently heard the story of a young girl that feel into extreme depression and at the end of the day killed herself because her boyfriend left broke up with her”. People fall into depression when the people that mean a lot to them leave them for no good reason.
Aside from receiving a heartbreak from the people that we love so much, the pressure of not having anyone to show you love at all may spring up some element of depression. This happens to ladies a lot, when there are yet to find a partner or a lover, they tend to feel less of themselves which will lead to depression if not properly addressed.
Having the wrong people as friends is one thing that can lead to depression. When you surround yourself with people that always make you feel less of yourself and people that are always critical of you, then you may find yourself in a very depressive state.
How to deal with a relationship with others and avoid depression
When you are experiencing a problem with your relationship with others or heartbreak, it is not good for you to fall into depression as it is not healthy.
When you have a problem with another person, it is important for you to keep an open mind and pray for that person. It is good for you to believe that the love of God covers all others, and have the consciousness that God loves you so much.
When you understand that God loves you so much, any hatred that anyone may show will not have an effect on you.
The bible says in the book of John 3:16 “For God so love the word that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe should not perish but have everlasting life”
Conclusion
God loves you so much that he wants you to live an amazing life on earth, a life that is free of troubles and worries.
God wants you to be joyful always and be strong regardless of the situation that you are passing through and that is because he is aware of any situation that you may be experiencing. No wonder the bible says that the joy of the lord is our strength!
Have you ever imagined how much God loves you? God loves you so much that he dies for you, he died so that you will no longer experience sickness, pain, sadness, poverty or any other evil. So God wants you to be happy always in him.
No wonder the bible says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believe will not perish but have everlasting life”. God’s plan for you is that of good, God wants you to live your desired life always because he cares for you.
.
More Resources
Do you need more materials on how to deal with depression? These three audio materials are your best bet. Come back to the comment box to thank us.
If you are experiencing any form of depression, do well to leave a comment in the comment section, we will be pleased to respond to you. We would also like to hear your opinion concerning what depression is and how to deal with it. Please share this post with your friends, this might just be the answer to a friend’s question.??