Spirituality/Religion vs. Depression

[an anarchist]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

 

[JustGeorge]

I think positive spiritual practice can help depressed people that feel such a calling. (I say positive, because negative spiritual practice can make it worse.

I don't think it would help a person who isn't interested, though.

 

[Jimmy]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

depends. I think alot of mental illness arises out of one looking into religion. Spirituality and religion should be light hearted, fun and not taken so seriously otherwise it makes people ill and hard to be around. One should be grounded before grappling with religion/spirituality as it has the potential to make things worse.

 

[an anarchist]

I don't think it would help a person who isn't interested, though.

Hmm. Religion does seem like a niche interest. I wonder if the simple practice of meditation was introduced to the non spiritual patient, if there mood would improve.

 

[JustGeorge]

Hmm. Religion does seem like a niche interest. I wonder if the simple practice of meditation was introduced to the non spiritual patient, if there mood would improve.

Maybe. For some, meditation does more harm than good.

And then it depends on what type... I do great with most, but passage meditation gives me anxiety for some strange reason.

 

[an anarchist]

I think alot of mental illness arises out of one looking into religion.

Care to elaborate by chance? I find this interesting

Spirituality and religion should be light hearted, fun and not taken so seriously

I do disagree with you here. Religion is often on the back burner for most people, even those who identify with a religion. But it shouldn't I think. Being connected with a higher power (as in most spiritual practices) is no light thing. How can one take something so grand lightly?

 

[an anarchist]

Leaving town where service is, my connection now is spotty at best. I'll reply more tomorrow hopefully!

 

[Truth in love]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

I’ll try to be brief. I have several family members and friends who have struggled with this and over a decade as a therapist.

1. Guilt and related feelings can look a lot like depression. A spiritual life and belief in forgiveness can help a lot with this.
2. Hope is very helpful and religion often provides this.
3. Beliefs often include social connections and this is helpful.
4. Depression can also be mostly biological. Beliefs don’t do much for that.
5. Medications can help.
6. A good balanced life style including food, sleep, exercise help.
7. My favorite run down on mental illness and spiritually.

 

[Goldemar]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

I suffer from (clinical) depression (and anxiety) and I find my beliefs and practice help a lot (though I do need medication too). In fact, I would go so far as to say that my religion (together with my wife) are protective factors that keep me away from going over the edge.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I think positive spiritual practice can help depressed people that feel such a calling. (I say positive, because negative spiritual practice can make it worse.

I don't think it would help a person who isn't interested, though.

what would you define as negative spiritual practice?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I believe faith in the universe having a plan for you can guide you through a lot of the hopelessness depression brings, but a bit of rationality is necessary to stay grounded and to prevent one from having high expectations

 

[JustGeorge]

what would you define as negative spiritual practice?

Holding oneself to impossible standards. Holding others to impossible standards. Feelings of being inferior(due to not living up to one's religion). Feelings that others are inferior(due to them not living up to your religion).

 

[Trailblazer]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

I do not think it should be used as a treatment. I think if a person is clinically depressed they need more than that, therapy and/or medications, but not necessarily psychotropic drugs, as there are also naturopathic approaches and homeopathic remedies. After antidepressants failed, homeopathic remedies cured my longstanding endogenous depression and I continued to get better taking different remedies over the course of many years.

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

I think they can be used side by side if the person is a believer in God and spirituality.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

I don't think that spiritual practice is an effective replacement for treatment.

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

Yes, I was very depressed when I was younger but I believe I was cured by constitutional homeopathic treatment. I had some situational depression after that but I never suffered from clinical depression again.

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I think that life situations and difficult choices really play a big part. I can remember once when I was taking homeopathic remedies and they were not helping me because I needed to address my life situation and make some changes. That was so long ago I cannot remember what those changes were.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I am not sure what you mean by spiritual practice. What has helped me the most is faith in God and that God will guide and help me, rather than any spiritual practices such as readings and meditation. I do pray a lot though as I believe God wants us to pray and supplicate and I seem to get help when I do.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

No, you did not come across that way at all.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Holding oneself to impossible standards. Holding others to impossible standards. Feelings of being inferior(due to not living up to one's religion). Feelings that others are inferior(due to them not living up to your religion).

That is true. If one can't even accomplish their spiritual goal then there is no point in having such an extreme requirement, just makes them feel shame for no reason.

 

[Trailblazer]

That is true. If one can't even accomplish their spiritual goal then there is no point in having such an extreme requirement, just makes them feel shame for no reason.

I had that problem for many years when I had dropped out of my religion.
I still do not feel I am good enough to be a Baha'i, but as long as I am trying I do not feel shame.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

Yes I have had strong depression over many years, and still have times I get deep into a depression but not as often as before.

Do I think spiritual teaching and practicing can cure depression? Yes. But in the same time it depends on who you have around you as friends and family. Some people will drag you down no matter what you try to do around them. Some pe zapp your (mine) energy so much that even a good spiritual practice is difficult to do because there is always worries in the head.

Some times one do need medical health care about our mental state when one struggle. It can help if the person are willing to try to find a solution to the mental struggle.
It helps, but if one goes back to the same people who drag you down again after treatment, the issue will arise again (I know that to well)

 

[danieldemol]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

If you can only find community through religion then religion may help with depression. Same goes for beliefs and comfort. Other than that it may provide some placebo benefit.

But never as a replacement for the treatment of qualified professionals.

In my opinion.

 

[rational experiences]

As native tribal families were abundant even when civilisation fake brother king lord rule began.

When he hurt our brains we would gather. Tell stories. Sing dance play music. Be happy. It assisted our minds as we live separated our whole life.

Once we were in the eternal combined unity.

Parents and nature forced out to live manifest life on earth.

So we owned same DNA. The same family life body mind anywhere.

We weren't alone until our vast minded brother mind separated first by falling burning star causes. Began his chosen evil tirades against the meek humanity we were.

He was told be holy...be loving be meek as he thought nasty thoughts about family versus machine.

So we remembered gathering dancing telling stories helped us. So rejoice.

It's only the mundane services today that no longer respect what we were taught about assisting the hurt mind.

Solace is for humans who are already spiritual in honesty and trust of self.

Rejoicing was a teaching for those who were hurt worse in life than others. Who struggled. Basic knowledge only in the status a living human having a self experience.

As we aren't any mass. One status only.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

I am not depressed but I do have low self-esteem. It did not get better in all of the years I was Christian. Some religions are probably great help for it but not those that tell you that you're a sinner deserving of hell for eternity.

 

[Secret Chief]

Is spirituality/religion an effective treatment against depression?

Should the depressed person attempt to immerse themselves in spiritual practice in order to treat their depression? Not as a replacement for psychiatry/medication and therapy, but to be used side by side with these resources.

Or, can spiritual practice be an effective replacement for traditional treatment, in the case where traditional treatment is unavailable?

Do you have/had depression? Do you have insight on this topic?

I'm bipolar, and am currently depressed. Life situations are emotional taxing and filled with impossible choices, so that plays a part.

I do think that spirituality is the stone that we should stand on when it comes to our mental health.

I don't think it simply varies from person to person. I think committed spiritual practice is a for sure way to combat depression. It isn't an instantaneous thing, but I do think it works.

I'm not saying that the depressed believer isn't practicing hard enough. Sorry if it comes across that way.

Short answer: I don't know. I imagine it varies according to the individual and the circumstances. I have had a period of depression brought on by various events. I can't claim my religion (or my therapy) assisted me. Looking back, it seems like a dark tunnel I went through. I think it was only the passage of time that brought me through it.