Thursday, August 6, 2009

Confessions...Depression

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My friend, Georgie has her confessional booth open and ready to roll. Although I'm not Catholic, I've never been able to picture myself sitting in a confessional booth and confessing stuff like, "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned....I took what didn't belong to me....there was a shopping cart that had stuff in it...I needed a cart and there was no one close by...so I took it." Actually, if I was Catholic, by now, the Priest would've told me to take my sorry bottom home and think about my wrong doings and stop confessing every little darn thing running through my head.

But, in all seriousness, confession is good for the soul. It releases endorphins which in return releases adrenaline which releases pheromones which lead to lots of romantic rendezvous. So, go and confess...your honey will thank you.

Anyway, back to my confession...I am a person that suffers from depression. It's not something I'm proud of but I've come to accept it as what it is. I have dealt with judgemental opinions such as, "You are a Christian woman and Christians don't get depressed." Well, I'm here to tell you that yes.we.do. And, there's nothing to be ashamed of in admitting that.

My depression actually started before I reached my teens. I now know that it was a chemical imbalance that to this day, runs in the family. As a young girl, I tried to explain it but couldn't. There just weren't words. As I went into my adult years, I knew what I was dealing with and wanted to feel like I was no longer wearing a painted smile but crying on the inside. I had the most awesome doctor. She was an old school doc. I told her all that I was feeling and she said quite calmly, "You're depressed but it's not the end of the world." She was my lifesaver. She prescribed medication that I have come to see as "happy pills". No, I'm not flying like a kite, nor am I drugged out and drooling...but I'm feeling balanced and secure...no longer feeling like the floor is falling from beneath me. I still have my bad days...especially when I feel sorry for myself and feel like there's no light at the end of the tunnel but for those days, I reach for either music or my sense of humor. It keeps me going, with God's grace!

If you feel the need to confess...head on over to Georgie's. Tell her I sent you!

27 comments:

Heart2Heart said...

I love that you have come here baring your soul so to speak. I too, know from experience that just because your a Christian does not mean you can't be depressed.

I mean do people seriously think we walk on water and only do things that are righteous and holy all the time? We are never subjected to the same dealings of life that everyone else to, or are we simply immune from all of that because we are saved.

Yeah, well after being deeply depressed after hubby number 1 left me after having an affair, this after us both being saved and Christians, let's just say I suffered what I like to call a severe melt down.

Meds never really helped because they didn't address the heart of my problem and if I completed that along with counseling I would have be healed so much earlier.

I love that you have the courage to post it here because you are helping others come to terms with what they may be facing but are simply to afraid to admit.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Unknown said...

this post is exactly what the confessional stands for...bravo to you!
I am not catholic either but my comment box plays one sometimes

Elle Bee said...

Your confession is lovely and I hope you are never made to feel ashamed of this ever again. Thank you for sharing this painful thing with us. I'm glad you've got happy pills that help. You're making your way through this life with grace and humor--an inspiration to all who read you.

Hyla said...

I also have depression. Ive been medicated for it since I was 12. I make sure to always keep an extra eye on my friends just incase they may be suffering and dont know it. Or maybe dont want to know. I am alwyas ready to explain that it is a chemical imbalance and nothing to be ashamed about.

Veronica Lee said...

Thank you for sharing this with us, Simone. I can't never get enough of reading your post!!

Buckeroomama said...

Your honesty is so refreshing, Simone. That is why I love your blog. That and your sense of humor. :)

Cinder Rail'lee said...

Who said Christian women don't get depressed? haaa! They lied. I suffer from it daily. Sometimes overwhelmingly so. It is what makes us strong and relying on God to get is through.

YOU ROCK SIMONE!

Anonymous said...

So many women (and men) suffer from depression. Myself being one of them. My mother another. And my poor sister is bipolar, so it was one heck of a ride in our household growing up.

My grandfather committed suicide, my Mom basically tried with meds and alcohol, my other non-bipolar sister tried, and so on. I've got the stories and the scares to prove it.

I love that you had the courage to speak out. So many people think they are alone in this great big world.

Confess away my friend.

HUGS

Ina in Alaska said...

I too suffered from some situational depression/anxiety some years ago. The doc gave me some Prozac but he also gently nudged me to return to the gym, which I did..... that solved the problem, got off Prozac and doing great to this day.

Many hugs to you.... PS loved your previous blog post!! Great photos!

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Happy Pills are a gift from God. And, Christians don't get depressed???? WTF??? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. I'm not Christian, but some of my best friends are (hah!), and believe me, they get depressed. Who comes up with this nonsense? Anyway, I hope you feel better soon, and thanks for sharing. We all get depressed. It's a HUMAN experience.

Unknown said...

I still have issues with being a Christian and dealing with depression.
I know that it's a chemical imbalance but when you hear "You should turn it over to God." or "Depression is an indulgence." it hurts.
My new doctor is a believer and he's given me the forum to express my feelings.
He's prescribe a new fibro med that should address my depression, anxiety and other stress related issues.
Thanks for the opinion and safe place to express our thoughts and feelings.

Unknown said...

I still have issues with being a Christian and dealing with depression.
I know that it's a chemical imbalance but when you hear "You should turn it over to God." or "Depression is an indulgence." it hurts.
My new doctor is a believer and he's given me the forum to express my feelings.
He's prescribe a new fibro med that should address my depression, anxiety and other stress related issues.
Thanks for the opinion and safe place to express our thoughts and feelings.

Deidra said...

Hey Simone-

As always, I appreciate your honesty. Depression is the common cold of mental illness, right? Christians aren't immune to the common cold, so why should we be immune to depression? I've been there and back and I'm so grateful for your post today!

Have a glorious weekend!

Julie D said...

What does being Christian have to do with depression? Depression is a chemical imbalance...not a "choice". For heaven's sake.

Don't ever be ashamed of that. Been there, done it. Will take anti-depressants again if I get to the point of needing them. NO shame here....

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I adore your sense of humor - it's what keeps me coming back. :)

Hallie

zunzun said...

I've been depressed before and it sucks but the one that makes me crumble is anxiety...it's under control now but every now and then it rears it's ugly little head.

If I were Catholic mine would run more along the line of "forgive me father, but after I got cut off my middle finger involuntarily went up...like a reflex"

jmt said...

I think people completely overrate the title of "depression", especially those who do not "suffer". I say this because it's silly to say that some don't "suffer" from it. We're all human and experience down moments in our lives and we should all be able to empathize with those who might struggle a bit more to overcome those moments. If you are happy with the solution that works for YOU, enjoy it and life. :)

H said...

Hi! I came over from SITS. You know, I am no stranger to depression. Your post really resonated with me!

Nicole said...

It's funny that I should come across your blog today. I had a major breakdown, I thought if I quit taking my Prozac I would be Ok, well I was way wrong. It has been two weeks since I have taken my happy pills and today it hit me like a ton of bricks. My anxiety is just way out of control and I refilled my RX today. Thank God, literally. I will be back to good again here soon!

Stacy Uncorked said...

Christians don't get depressed? But wait, you are human, right? :)

((HUGZ!!))

Native American Momma said...

I seen a study that said that children can start to feel depression around the 2nd grade. That floored me. Dealing with depression is hard and constant just like my back pain.
Happy VGNO

tiki_lady said...

your confession is gut honesty and i like that in a person.
my confession is most people irritate me and i have no patience either.

Ms Cupcake said...

Wishing you peace and happiness.

Dropping by from sits.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Make it a happy day!

Ms Cupcake
Zen Cupcake

Kat said...

Stopping by for a belated VGNO!!

Justine said...

I suffer from depression once in a while, but my main mental disorder is panic attacks and phobias. BAD. Zoloft helps me a huge amount, but nothing touches the unrealistic phobias I have. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

So, now that I've confessed some more, should I be feeling horny?

'Cause I'm not.

Justine :o )

Mandala Michelle said...

What a heartfelt post! I have depression and panic disorder. The depression has been around since my teen years and only now, at age 39 have I found the right med combo. Turns out I'm highly sensative to meds so low dose "clean" is all I can handle. I use meditation and spirituality to tackle the rest. It's what works for me but we all have to find the right "prescription".

Joanna Jenkins said...

I am a proud, card-carrying member of the Prozac Nation! Depression just "is" sometimes and you are smart to recognize and deal with it.

As for "Christians don't get depressed..." now THAT'S crazy.

xo

 

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