Depression: where the simple is impossible.
Depression can affect so many aspects of one’s life. Unfortunately, the impacts of depression tend to bring on even more depression. For example, it may be difficult to gather the energy needed to spend time with family or friends. Going to church may become a chore far too difficult to achieve. Yet, time with friends can help fight depression. In some cases, professionals can help individuals find the path out of depression.
Depression is Mental, and Not.
Our amazing brains respond to our habitual and repeated thoughts. The brain wants to get the job done quickly and efficiently. So, when one has the same thoughts often, the brain’s pathways become optimized for those thoughts. For example, when we learn to drive a car, the mental energy is initially quite high. In time, our brains adjust and we drive almost effortlessly. Depressive thoughts are treated the same way. The brain adjusts the pathways to make it easier and easier to formulate the thoughts that bring us down. Sometimes, friends and family can help us put a stop to the negative thoughts and begin to create different pathways in our mind. However, in other cases, professional help may be needed to find the path out of depression. When someone has lost the ability to function at a minimal level due to depression, psychotropic medications may be needed to help them create healthy mental habits. Helpful counselors consider all of the available options and make referrals to other professionals when needed.
Confession and Depression
For those that have access to the sacrament of confession, it can be helpful to receive the graces that come with participation in this ritual. Experienced confessors appreciate the uplifting benefits of God’s gift of forgiveness. At the same time, it is important to differentiate between those things that we do by choice from other less-voluntary actions. For example, one would not confess that they stayed in bed when their body refused to respond to their mental desires to get up. If your church offers reconciliation and you have not been for a while, consider giving this experience a try. It may help you overcome your depression while bringing you closer to God.