Template:Depression
Is there a solution that can help us overcome this depression naturally?
These pages and audio may help you understand why you have depression, but you may need to learn to still your own mind to explore the conflicts within it.
It is also important to have a support group based on trust and love in the pursuit of the peace of mind which will alleviate common sources of stress and depression. If you join the Living Network we may be able to help you deal with many of these feelings and pains you are now experiencing.
Recording #1 Play or download
Recording #2 Play or download
The problem today with depression is that we have created a culture where survival no longer requires that you care about others as much as you care about yourself, causing social bonds to degenerate, which isolates us even in a crowd. We were not meant to be alone.
Depression
Depression, anxiety disorders, including paranoia, phobias, PTSD, panic attacks, bipolar behaviors, or even schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) all include elements of "cognitive dissonance".
Dissonance is simply a "lack of agreement" so cognitive dissonance is the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change."
Resolving these conflicts that produce the cognitive dissonance may alleviate some of the symptoms and the side effects associated with depression, but it is not the symptoms nor their triggers that generate the individuals' vulnerability.
Smoking, alcohol, and drug use including almost all forms of addictions and what may be listed as disphorias or disorders along with many common compulsive behaviors or thoughts can lead to relationship, work, and of course marital problems. Anger, fear, anxiety are just evidence of some level of dissonance within the individual.
Denial
That inconsistency or lack of agreement in our own minds, opinions, or thoughts create anxiety, feelings of fear, and other emotions that lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression if unchecked.
All this takes place in the mind under the influence of some level of denial or avoidance of issues, memories of past or present traumas often because of an associated pain.
There are solutions to the problem, and there are ways to relieve the symptoms of the problem. While the problem may originate from external trauma, the internal reaction with that trauma may lead to conflict and avoidance, even denial which perpetuate the symptoms that can compound the emotional and mental stress.
A chemical imbalance
Dealing with the basic sources of the stress and conflict is key, but that often requires external assistance. But what type of assistance produces the most complete and long-term solution?
There are no adequate studies that have proven that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While some chemistry of the brain might accompany these conditions we know correlation is not causation and then there is a question of if the chemistry is found to be different which came first the depression or the chemical change.
There is no doubt that thoughts and emotions may stimulate the release of hormones in the body and mind. Taking antidepressant drugs or choosing to take external drugs alone cannot restore an internal balance with consistency nor deal with the underlying dissonance, trauma, or denial which is likely the source of the problem. The feelings of depression are evidence of a problem. Removing the evidence is not the same as removing the problem.
The cause of the effect
Finding the cause and effect you are feeling may lead to a permanent solution without the side effects and dependency associated with chemical solutions to mental and emotional difficulties.
Most prescriptions for antidepressants are written without any specific diagnosis by doctors. Antidepressants are among the most difficult drugs to get off of and by their nature create an Addiction. More difficult than alcohol and opiates. What is euphemistically called “discontinuation syndrome,” is really just chemical addiction withdrawal. That withdrawal can be fiercely debilitating physically and with severe psychological reactions. Antidepressants can cause violent side effects, including suicide and homicide. The truth is, antidepressant can cause chemical imbalance in the brain.
The feeling of anxiety, phobias, OCD behavior or even panic disorders are seldom medical conditions and should not be treated with medication. They are emotional disorders which are the result of unresolved mental trauma. Medication actually can mask and prevent resolution while creating new problems.
Much of the feeling that medication is helping is the result of the placebo effect of taking the pills rather than the pills themselves. Some estimate that the placebo effect account for more than 80 percent of the positive effects.
Dietary modifications
Dietary modifications can do the same, and the side effects are actually beneficial to the over all health of the body itself.
Adding more healthy fats and oils with less sugar, processed dairy, and excessive processed gluten is a proactive action that can lead to more positive approach. Taking some natural supplements like vitamin-B and probiotics or consuming them in certain foods can have a great balancing effect in the body and the mind while lowering metabolic stresses. Reduction in exposure to toxins like fluoride or use of other drugs like Tylenol, statins, or even chemicals in cleaners can have a positive physical as well as mental outlook.
Creating a routine of physical activity and modifying your approach to getting deep sleep along with Meditation can go a long way to removing the symptoms of depression.
Ultimately, you will need to deal with underlying emotional issues from the past that plague our present relationships and views. Forgiveness works, but meditation and interaction with others you trust and even those who often have their own issues can be a primary source of emotional progress.
We want to believe that medical science will fix us. The need to continue to believe that is an addiction in itself. It is an exercise of faith in something you think is greater than, smarter than, better than yourself.
While the medical establishment can help with many things, your own body and mind is the key to good health mentally and physically. Life is a journey and no one can take it for you, but if you gather with others who care and love each other with no hope of personal gain, no need or proclivity toward judgment, the journey will certainly be more rewarding.
But to really gather with such people, you must come together with love for them as much as love of self. On our page on cognitive dissonance, we discuss interactive therapies that may help individuals uncover and understand a path to internal healing of the mind and body.
Willingness to have the conversation with others who do love you with no personal hope of gain is a step we should all be willing to take to restore true hope and health.
"It is the dead end of self-indulgence and our failure to create missions worth sacrificing for that has led to the epidemic of depression afflicting the Western world today." Guerric of the Mepkin Abbey
The best way to relieve the symptoms of depression is to start caring about others as much as yourself.
Be willing to see the truth about yourself in the company of others who are walking the same journey with a love for the destination of life and willingness to know the truth. The truth will set you free from the depression that has haunted you.
Anxiety and thanksgiving
Scientific studies have not only shown that gratitude lessen stress, but gratitude and anxiety cannot exist in the brain at the same time. The brain cannot respond to anxiety and gratitude at the same time because they use the same part of the brain. It becomes an “either/or” reality but that is easier to accomplish if you believe there is a higher power above everything, a Divine creator or designer of the universe.
People of faith have known for centuries that those who practice being thankful for everything, both the good and the bad that happens, the feeling of anxiety diminishes:
In Matthew 6 we see Jesus telling us to not worry.
- Philippians 4:11–12. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 "16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks[1]: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit."
- Psalms 103:2–6 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:[2] 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 ¶ The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed."
- Psalms 107:1–3... "O give thanks[3] unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy[4] [endureth] for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south."
- Lamentations 3:22–24 "22 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies[4] that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.[5] 24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."
- Philippians 4:6–7 "6 Be careful[6] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving[7] let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace[8] of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
- Psalms 95:2. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving[9] , and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
- Colossians 3:16–17 "16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks[1] to God and the Father by him."
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 2168 ~εὐχαριστέω~ eucharisteo \@yoo-khar-is-teh’-o\@ from 2170; v AV-give thanks 26, thank 12, be thankful 1; 39
- 1) to be grateful, feel thankful
- 2) give thanks
- ↑ 01576 לוּמגְּ gëmuwl ghem-ool’ from 01580 גָּמַל gamal reward; n m; [BDB-168a] {See TWOT on 360 @@ "360a"} AV-recompense 10, reward 3, benefit 2, given 1, serve + 01580 1, deserve 1; 19
- 1) dealing, recompense, benefit
- 1a) dealing (of one’s hand)
- 1b) recompense
- 1c) [benefits|benefit]]
- 1) dealing, recompense, benefit
- ↑ 03034 יָדָה yadah [yaw-daw’] a primitive root [compare 01911 hadah to put or to stretch out (hand)], used only as denominative from 03027; v; [BDB-392a] [{See TWOT on 847 }] AV-praise 53, give thanks 32, confess 16, thank 5, make confession 2, thanksgiving 2, cast 1, cast out 1, shoot 1, thankful 1; 114
- 1) to throw, shoot, cast
- 1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)
- 1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
- 1c) (Hiphil)
- 1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise
- 1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)
- 1d) (Hithpael)
- 1d1) to confess (sin)
- 1d2) to give thanks
- 1) to throw, shoot, cast
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 02617 חֵסֵד checed [kheh’-sed] from 02616 "show thyself merciful", Greek 964 βηθεσδα; n m; [BDB-338b, BDB-340a] [{See TWOT on 698 @@ "698a" }] [{See TWOT on 699 @@ "699a" }] AV-mercy 149, kindness 40, lovingkindness 30, goodness 12, kindly 5, merciful 4, favour 3, good 1, goodliness 1, pity 1, reproach 1, wicked thing 1; 248
- 1) goodness, kindness, faithfulness
- 2) a reproach, shame
- ↑ 0530 ^הנומא^ ‘emuwnah \@em-oo-naw’\@ or (shortened) ^הנמא^ ‘emunah \@em-oo-naw’\@ from 0529; n f; {See TWOT on 116 @@ "116e"} AV-faithfulness 18, truth 13, faithfully 5, office 5, faithful 3, faith 1, stability 1, steady 1, truly 1, verily 1; 49
- 1) firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness
- ↑ 3309 μεριμνάω merimnao [mer-im-nah’-o] from 3308 merimna "care" in the sense of "anxiety" from 3307 merizo "divide", distract; n f; merimnao v; TDNT-4:589,584; [{See TDNT 482 }] AV-take thought 11, care 5, be careful 2, have care 1; 19
- 1) to be anxious
- 1a) to be troubled with cares
- 2) to care for, look out for (a thing)
- 2a) to seek to promote one’s interests
- 2b) caring or providing for
- 1) to be anxious
- ↑ 2169 ~εὐχαριστία~ eucharistia \@yoo-khar-is-tee’-ah\@ from 2170; TDNT-9:407,1298; {See TDNT 840} n f AV-thanksgiving 9, giving of thanks 3, thanks 2, thankfulness 1; 15
- 1) thankfulness
- 2) the giving of thanks
- For Synonyms see entry 5883
- ↑ 1515 ~εἰρήνη~ eirene \@i-ray’-nay\@ probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); TDNT-2:400,207; {See TDNT 219} n f AV-peace 89, one 1, rest 1, quietness 1; 92
- 1) a state of national tranquility
- 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
- 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
- 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
- 4) of the Messiah’s peace
- 4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)
- 5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
- 6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death
- 1) a state of national tranquility
- ↑ 08426 תּוֹדָה towdah [to-daw’] from 03034 yadah praise, give thanks, confess "to throw, shoot, cast"; n f; [BDB-392b] [{See TWOT on 847 @@ "847b" }] AV-thanksgiving 18, praise 6, thanks 3, thank offerings 3, confession 2; 32
- 1) confession, praise, thanksgiving
- 1a) give praise to God
- 1b) thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship, hymn of praise
- 1c) thanksgiving choir or procession or line or company
- 1d) thank-offering, sacrifice of thanksgiving
- 1e) confession
- 1) confession, praise, thanksgiving