Depression can look different in everyone. From consistently feeling down to having trouble getting out of bed and doing daily activities, depression can have a major impact on your ability to live normally. If you've ever said to yourself "my depression is getting worse, now what?", know that you aren’t alone. In fact, the CDC found that depression affects about 16 million American adults each year. Recognizing that you have depression isn’t always easy or straightforward. Whether you are feeling a little down or seriously depressed, there are many resources available to get help.
“And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” - Isaiah 64:8
God created each of us to be unique in our own way. There are many approaches for working through depression, but recognize that what works for some doesn’t work for all. Keep an open mind as you try different solutions, and remember that if one doesn’t work, it just might not be the best solution for you! If you notice your depression isn’t improving, check out some things you can try:
Talk to your healthcare provider
God didn’t design us to figure everything out on our own. In Proverbs 19:20, he encourages us to “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”
If you notice your mental health isn’t where you’d like it to be, a great starting point could be talking with your healthcare provider. Depression can be caused by many things including difficult circumstances in life, hormonal or chemical imbalances in your body, genetics, or unhealthy habits. Not only can your healthcare provider work with you to develop a treatment plan, but they can also recommend other sources for help including therapists or doctors who specialize in mental health.
Try talk therapy
Talking about your feelings can be uncomfortable at first, but professional therapists are trained to create a judgement-free environment where you can talk openly. Finding a therapist might feel overwhelming, but we're here to help you find a therapist that's a good fit for you! If you’re not sure where to start, contact us to get connected with an LCBC pastor or staff member near you. LCBC keeps an ongoing list of screened therapists near each location. If you don’t live near a physical LCBC location, we’d love to help you find a therapist in your area!
Check your habits
In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul encouraged us not to “copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Many normal daily activities can be harmful when you’re feeling depressed. Look at how much time you’re spending on social media, watching Netflix, or how many nights you’re grabbing fast food for dinner. People often develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to fight depression that might make them feel better in the short-term but are harmful in the long run. This could include drinking alcohol excessively, shopping more than you should, or spending too much time on the couch. Identifying some unhealthy habits and committing to make a change is a great first step to improve your depression!
Set goals
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” - Proverbs 16:3
One of the difficult parts of depression is that it can trick you into not doing the very things that can help you feel better. Depression can take away the motivation to do healthy activities like exercising, cooking dinner, cleaning, or engaging in hobbies that we love. At the same time, looking at all thing things you can do to help your depression can feel overwhelming, demotivating you even more. Try setting a few small goals like going for a walk, doing a load of laundry, or going to the grocery store. As you meet your goals, set new ones and continue building on your momentum. You might find with each goal you meet, your depression eases a bit.
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Beating a season of depression might not happen overnight. Change happens in small, incremental steps – but it does come! Here are some more resources to help you navigate depression:
Mental Health Resources
Care & Prayer contact form
Does Mental Illness Make You a Bad Christian?
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!