I am convinced that depression is one of the most misunderstood illnesses. Depression is not a feeling. Oftentimes people describe themselves as being depressed—“I am so depressed”—when what they really mean is that they’re bored, bummed out, disappointed, or one of a whole host of other feelings. Depression is an illness; it often is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. I don’t believe that depression is a mental illness. It is a physical illness. I know I may be skating on thin ice here, but what I’m saying is from personal experience.

Before I was diagnosed with clinical depression, I had lost the ability to enjoy just about anything. To others I’m sure I appeared sad, but actually I felt almost nothing. I had lost my joy. Now, you might be thinking, “Well, that sounds like spiritual warfare. You just let Satan steal your joy.” Spiritual warfare may have been involved, but it was more than that. Depression—for me—is a physical illness that manifests itself outwardly as deep sadness. It keeps me from enjoying my life. It keeps me from doing things I usually enjoy doing.

Depression can go hand-in-hand with a myriad of other illnesses—fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Unfortunately, all too often, folks see the person who is ill as simply feeling sorry for herself. Shortly after I was diagnosed with clinical depression and had just begun my treatment, I went to the altar for prayer at a church service. A wise older woman, a leader in the church, was at the altar to pray with those in need. I explained to her that I had been dealing with depression and I needed prayer. She told me that depression is a sin and that I needed to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. Had I been a younger Christian, newer in my walk with Christ, and had I not researched as much as I had about depression, this could have been quite damaging for me to hear. I am afraid this scenario happens all too often within the church.

After I began taking medication for my depression, I felt so much better. I felt like my real self again—almost immediately. My husband and close friends recognized the change in me right away. I think my children did too (they were tired of “grumpy Mom”). It took a while longer for me to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but taking care of the depression allowed us to see my underlying symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with any type of chronic illness, including depression, please educate yourself. Read as much as you can about the illness. Talk with other patients about their experiences. Talk with your children about what is going on; help them to understand your symptoms. And grow thick skin. There are many well-meaning people out there who can say hurtful things and not even realize it. Sometimes we need to educate others about our illnesses. That may be the only way to keep other people from being truly damaged by well-meaning, misinformed advisers.

If you’re feeling down, maybe you just need to get out and do something fun. If you’re feeling blue, you might just need to watch a funny movie. But if you’ve really lost the ability to enjoy things you used to enjoy, and you can’t seem to “snap out of it,” see your doctor. Depression is a physical illness, and it needs to be treated medically. “There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Copyright © by Tina James Share