More Thoughts on Overcoming Depression, Sorrow, and the Blues

I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know that just to be alive is a grand thing.  -Agatha Christie 

Of all the emotions that run through our minds and consciousness each day it’s happiness that can often be the most elusive.  Other emotions will come upon us in abundance, such as sorrow, anger, bitterness, and fear.  If we could be happy as much as we experience these negative feelings we would be in great shape.  However, finding happiness every day in the midst of our problems can be a challenge.  Can we make a choice to be happy each day?  I believe the answer to that question is yes.  The difficult part of this comes in learning the strategies for making that a reality.   

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in a 2005-2006 study that more than 1 in 20 Americans ages 12 years and older had current depression.  They further stated that depression is a treatable condition, but the majority of persons with depression did not receive even minimally adequate treatment.¹  If you have found yourself suffering from depression, sorrow, the blues, or you just aren’t as happy as you would like to be, please know that there is hope. 

Talk to your doctor, pastor, or see a therapist.  Do not continue suffering in silence, but instead rise up and seek the peace of mind that can be yours.  Consider these strategies for overcoming depression or the blues:

• Stop berating yourself. When we are down we tend to think bleak and negative thoughts.  No matter what you have been through or what you are facing, there are brighter days ahead.  Do not give up and do not surrender.  We have all made mistakes; leave them in the past and stop beating yourself up over them. 

• Do not give in to the myth that your depression or feelings of sorrow are your fault.  Depression can occur as the result of a chemical imbalance, a major life change, or a crisis that has taken place.  Talk with your doctor and explore treatment options.  This is not your fault; stop blaming yourself and instead seek treatment.
  

• Do not give into the myth that people will think you are an oddball if you admit to suffering from depression.  One of the reasons people suffer in silence is they are afraid to admit they are depressed.  Pastors often view admitting to depression as a ministerial career killer.  This is not the case.  In 2006 when God helped me to climb out of my six year battle with depression, I began to talk openly about it and even wrote a book about my experience (“The Invitation: Embracing a Happier Life” can be ordered from the link in this blog).  People frequently tell me that the book has given them hope to keep fighting the battle against depression. 

There is hope, my friend.  Do not give up.  There is light at the end of whatever dark tunnel you have found yourself in.   

 

Keep going; life is worth the living.

1 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db07.htm