NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p18s01-hfcs.html

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

I was guessing being struck by lightning.

It helped me.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p18s01-hfcs.html

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

Placebo effect...

Placebo effect...

Hey, if it works it's a lot better for you in both medical and financial terms than having to take all kinds of drugs in order to achieve the same effect.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p18s01-hfcs.html

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

When I was bullied in middle school and felt self-consciuos and depressed, God made me feel even more so because I felt that I was being vain and pissing him off and thus I was totally alone.

Needless to say, God didn't help at all. :mad:

any time I have been clinically depressed I have needed prescription medication.

any time I have been clinically depressed I have needed prescription medication.

Yeah, for clinical-level depression it's usually necessary. For milder cases and dysthmia, I could definitely see it working. However, IMO it's probably more of an assistant to medication and therapy, in other words making them more effective, than a cure in itself.

Hey, if it works it's a lot better for you in both medical and financial terms than having to take all kinds of drugs in order to achieve the same effect.

But that requires me to believe in divine providence. I don't, so I don't think prayer will help me if I were depressed. I still want to see a double blind clinical! :D

But that requires me to believe in divine providence. I don't, so I don't think prayer will help me if I were depressed. I still want to see a double blind clinical! :D

Honestly, that would be a damn interesting idea. If you could find out how exactly the brain responds to spirituality, you could conceivable engineer more effective means of treating these disorders by providing ways for people to have spiritual experiences.

After all, mental illness is something that has to be addressed from all possible sides...the more we know, the better we are at treating it.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p18s01-hfcs.html

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

First of all: this surely is not limited to the Christian God. While I agree that spiritual health is important, Christianity is one of x paths ($x \in N$*) to it. I also think you can not be led to a god in a depressed state because you simply are not as receptive. Therefore this is not something, I give too much thought about...

*cookie for anyone 'getting' that one

when i was at my most depressed, with double depression at university, was the only time in my life i've ever tried to "find god"

i didn't. or, he didn't find me.

medication has since helped.



on a less personal perspective, if it helps people get out of depression then i'm all for it, whatever it is (within reason)... be it the invisible pink unicorn, the flying spaghetti monster, or god.

When I was bullied in middle school and felt self-consciuos and depressed, God made me feel even more so because I felt that I was being vain and pissing him off and thus I was totally alone.

Needless to say, God didn't help at all. :mad:

I don't think God made you feel that way; I think you made yourself feel that way. Sometimes we don't think we're worth God's time, but God wants us to come to him with our problems. You felt like you were making him angry, but maybe you were just angry at yourself for not being strong enough? I don't know, just trying to offer a different perspective. :)

If it helped you then good for you. Prayer is a form of meditation, which works for me. Meditation helps you clear your mind and think more objectively.

Going to church can provide you (hopefully, except perhaps in the case of those that will insist you have demons and put you through a stressfull "casting out" ritual) with community support of people sympathetic to your condition and who will try to keep you optimistic. Perhaps you'll meet others who have been through the same thing. The one thing that helped me most was someone telling me how I felt and getting it right without me having to whinge at them. That simple act of understanding did more good than any other thing.

If you're not taking tablets (which DO help, that is HELP not CURE) then the best things are
1) A Goal, something genuinely attainable - it doesn't matter what it is, it can be anything at all as long as it's genuinely attainable you'll feel good about making it
For example: going 3 days without a smoke, take it from me, the first 3 days are the hardest, after that it gets easier every day.

2)Support from people who understand.
As I mentioned above about the person who was able to tell me how I felt.

3)A degree of structure to your lifestyle, or a change in the structure of your lifestyle,

For me being the sole carer of my son has done wonders, I can never thank him enough for the love he's shown me even though he's only 5 years old.

It's never an easy climb out, but it is possible whichever path you choose. But it's always YOU that has to do the actual work.

I don't think God made you feel that way; I think you made yourself feel that way. Sometimes we don't think we're worth God's time, but God wants us to come to him with our problems. You felt like you were making him angry, but maybe you were just angry at yourself for not being strong enough? I don't know, just trying to offer a different perspective. :)

I don't know. At that point I felt that nothing I could do was right and so God wouldn't help me, just like everyone else wouldn't. I was also too scared to admit how I felt at that point since I'd only tried a few times to speak up but was silenced by "grow up and be more like your sister". I felt that God would tell me the same thing.

Then I figured that atheism was more credible than anything else out there....

http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/paxil.jpg

http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/paxil.jpg

Better living through chemistry!

Better living through chemistry!

you say that as if it is a negative thing...

you say that as if it is a negative thing...

I don't. Antidepressants and the mental health industry, for all of their problems, have had a significant positive effect on the lives of millions of people worldwide.

http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/paxil.jpg

mine are white and round. oooooooooooooooooh exciting!! :D

Another good cure for depression is suicide. Stupid Emos.

Another good cure for depression is suicide. Stupid Emos.

Honestly, those emo kids piss me off because they take away attention from people with real problems who might be inclined to actually do something drastic like suicide or self-injury as a consequence of severe depression.

*vomits*

There is no God in this world. If there was truly a bevolent God that makes us happy then why does he premit suffering in this world? Why does he not strike down rapists and murders? God doesn't exist. The only thing that can exist is things. And even then it could not. I personally say i hate God. He has done nothing to help me. I begged him, bargined with him, sworne to him; if he would help my brother. My brother died of cancer. If God was so great then why didn't he help him. Anitdepressents work. God doesn't.

I don't. Antidepressants and the mental health industry, for all of their problems, have had a significant positive effect on the lives of millions of people worldwide.ahhh...alright. :fluffle: then

Another good cure for depression is suicide. Stupid Emos.
...cute.
mine are white and round. oooooooooooooooooh exciting!! :D

I like the blue ones

I don't. Antidepressants and the mental health industry, for all of their problems, have had a significant positive effect on the lives of millions of people worldwide.

I have a friend who says those drugs may help him mentally but are taking a SERIOUS toll on his physical health. :(

A few responses came to mind...

GOD: "Well, yeah, I'll give the depressed a boost, but amputees? Fuck those bastards, they can pray themselves silly, they ain't gettin' shit from me."

GOD: "For fuck's sake, I gave you those big brains, all those resources, told you 'I help those who help themselves,' you get this far and you're still asking me for help? Fuck I made some lazy ass bitches.

GOD: ...
(cause he doesn't exist...)

http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/paxil.jpg

I like the Philly link.. :p

*eats pills*

I have a friend who says those drugs may help him mentally but are taking a SERIOUS toll on his physical health. :(

That sucks.:(

Unfortunately, these drugs have side effects that can be extremely severe; it's one of the reasons why antidepressants and other drugs have to be prescribed carefully, so as to prevent serious problems due to side effects. That's why therapy is so important; if you can eliminate many of the problems using some form of therapy, you cut down on the need for medication and any possible side effects.

Of course, advances in our understanding of neurochemistry and drug design/delivery have helped significantly in designing new drugs that mitigate some of the problems of earlier ones. Most likely, in the future we will be able to reduce the negative side effects even further but it's no guarantee. We simply don't understand the biochemical processes underlying mental activity well enough yet.

A few responses came to mind...

GOD: "Well, yeah, I'll give the depressed a boost, but amputees? Fuck those bastards, they can pray themselves silly, they ain't gettin' shit from me."

GOD: "For fuck's sake, I gave you those big brains, all those resources, told you 'I help those who help themselves,' you get this far and you're still asking me for help? Fuck I made some lazy ass bitches.

GOD: ...
(cause he doesn't exist...)

Thats right he doesn't exist :p

I like the Philly link.. :p

*eats pills*

do I need to change it?

That sucks.:(

Unfortunately, these drugs have side effects that can be extremely severe; it's one of the reasons why antidepressants and other drugs have to be prescribed carefully, so as to prevent serious problems due to side effects. That's why therapy is so important; if you can eliminate many of the problems using some form of therapy, you cut down on the need for medication and any possible side effects.

Of course, advances in our understanding of neurochemistry and drug design/delivery have helped significantly in designing new drugs that mitigate some of the problems of earlier ones. Most likely, in the future we will be able to reduce the negative side effects even further but it's no guarantee. We simply don't understand the biochemical processes underlying mental activity well enough yet.

Are you some kind of psychologist or something?

Are you some kind of psychologist or something?

No, I'm just really interested in science, especially the fields associated with the mind/brain, medicine and physics. :)

I've dealth with bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder for years now. I'm also a Christian. And I can tell you that medication is the only thing that helped me cope with my illness. I get quite irritated when people suggest that belief in God can lift you out of a depression. If simple faith can do that, then you're not clinically depressed. Faith in God is not going to change the chemicals in your synaptic clefts. Faith in God has helped me deal with personal problems unrelated to my illness---childhood abuse, anger, etc. But I'm still bipolar. I was born that way and I'll die that way. God could change it if He wanted, but He hasn't and I don't think He will. So it's really rather pointless to expect mere faith to cure your depression.

I have a friend who says those drugs may help him mentally but are taking a SERIOUS toll on his physical health. :(

then its time to try a different one. Not all of them have the same side effects, and not all will work for everyone. I'd suggest directing them to Genomas (http://www.genomas.net/)

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

My favorite of God's cures for depression is Marijuana.

Marijuana increases your risk of developing schizophrenia. It also kills brain cells. So it's not really a good choice for mental health improvement...

My favorite of God's cures for depression is Marijuana.

Shrooms (I don't know about marijuana since I can't recall any recent studies) have been shown to have significant positive effects on mental well-being and overall happiness.

I think they should be studied further to see if they can be integrated safely in to conventional mental health practices; there's a lot of potential in the natural world for medicines, and it makes no sense to close the door to these possibilities simply because they're considered "illegal". If there is potential in these substances, it may be a very good idea to use them since they can possibly circumvent the problems that conventional medications face.

My favorite of God's cures for depression is Marijuana.
i thought so myself, unitl i realised i was just using weed as a way to hide my problems from myself. by the time i realised this, said problems had grown and grown to the point where i was severely mentally and physically ill and had to be hospitalised for my health.

obviously its not the same for everyone, but as a general rule of thumb, if you're using drugs (be it weed or booze or whatever) to escape your problems, you're not doing yourself any good and things can only get worse.
*vomits*

lol QFT :p

I have a friend who says those drugs may help him mentally but are taking a SERIOUS toll on his physical health. :(
it always depends on the type of drugs...

do I need to change it?

No. :(

God's cure for depression is inevitable death and judgement..... So cheer up!

Huh, would you look at that? This article was posted on SD today:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070131135536.htm

When I was religious, my depression was at its worst. My OCD was also practically unbearable, while now I can ignore it most of the time.

I spent 13 years in a catholic school that told me that I was not in control of myself, God was. Maybe some people find this idea releiving but I was always deeply insulted by it. It has done me no good and I will always probably hate religion for it.

Cthulu (sweet name, btw) did you deal with scrupulosity? It's OCD that takes the form of religious obsessions and compulsions. My OCD was at its worse when I was really involved with church. My new church is much better, but I almost have a panic attack every time I go to my parents' church.

Cthulu (sweet name, btw) did you deal with scrupulosity? It's OCD that takes the form of religious obsessions and compulsions. My OCD was at its worse when I was really involved with church. My new church is much better, but I almost have a panic attack every time I go to my parents' church.

I was wondering that myself.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p18s01-hfcs.html

According to this prayer and a good relationship with God is a good cure for depression. I know several cases where people got out of depression this way. Do you?

Using the word "God" in a post is likely to ruffle more than a few feathers here. And then linking to the christian science monitor really gets their adrenaline pumping.

Yeah, you know who I'm a talkin about.

Using the word "God" in a post is likely to ruffle more than a few feathers here. And then linking to the christian science monitor really gets their adrenaline pumping.

Yeah, you know who I'm a talkin about.

What the hell?

A) The Christian Science monitor BARELY has anything to do with Christians from what I've seen on it. That was the first distinct Christian post I remember.

B) When I first came here people didn't automatically hate something without verifying the facts first. But nowadays its "Oh no it has something to do with Christianity, I'm pissed" or "Oh it has something to do with Christianity its automatically wrong."

What the hell?

A) The Christian Science monitor BARELY has anything to do with Christians from what I've seen on it. That was the first distinct Christian post I remember.

B) When I first came here people didn't automatically hate something without verifying the facts first. But nowadays its "Oh no it has something to do with Christianity, I'm pissed" or "Oh it has something to do with Christianity its automatically wrong."

Actually, it does have to do with Christians, but only a certain part of it. Like that article. And it's "Christian Science", which is pretty awful. I am very leery of anything to do with it.

Actually, it does have to do with Christians, but only a certain part of it. Like that article. And it's "Christian Science", which is pretty awful. I am very leery of anything to do with it.

Remember, though, that this article in question is specifically in a section dedicated to Christian Science topics so it is more of a religious article than a scientific one.

However, the CS Monitor is entirely secular in its news reporting and content; it's as reliable as any other news source when it comes to the things it covers. The religious and theological articles are in their own area and don't reflect the rest of the site.

Actually, it does have to do with Christians, but only a certain part of it. Like that article. And it's "Christian Science", which is pretty awful. I am very leery of anything to do with it.

I only go there becuase I hear that it doesn't twist facts like other news sites do, I try to find as many reliable sites as possible.

Remember, though, that this article in question is specifically in a section dedicated to Christian Science topics so it is more of a religious article than a scientific one.

However, the CS Monitor is entirely secular in its news reporting and content; it's as reliable as any other news source when it comes to the things it covers. The religious and theological articles are in their own area and don't reflect the rest of the site.

I know it. I get the print copy every Friday, but I ignore the religious part.

I know it. I get the print copy every Friday, but I ignore the religious part.

Yeah, that's a pretty specific section.

I knew a priest who called depression an "emotional half-holiday." He said when he felt depressed, and his duties allowed for it, he would get a pot of English Breakfast tea, some non-edifying literature, put on Tchaikovsky and hide from the world. Of course, he wasn't talking about clinical depression, but that variety that comes when "the world is too much with us." Clinical depression, which has a chemical basis, is not going to be cured by prayer, it needs to be treated and controlled with appropriate medication.

Clinically depressed people who rely on prayer run the risk of getting into an emotional downward spiral. They pray, remain depressed, blame their own lack of faith for remaining depressed, become more depressed, pray more, stay depressed, and so on.

The effectiveness of prayer for milder forms of depression is about the same as the effectiveness of having a good cry, bitching at your friends or talking to a shrink.

Yeah, that's a pretty specific section.

Section D.

Usually pages D3-D6.

Right after the lingerie adds.

Yeah, that's a pretty specific section.

It's actually just one column.

It's actually just one column.

Then it's a really specific section. :p