Letter in Response to Taking Anti-Depressants for Depression
by Bryan Carlson
“Thank you reaching out to me. I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling terribly sad for the last six months and that it's been difficult to keep up with life. Depression can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, and it's essential to seek help when you're struggling. First and foremost, I want to commend you for seeking help and asking for my opinion as a biblical counselor. It's a wise decision to turn to God's Word for guidance and wisdom, and our team is here to help you in any way we can. In the Bible, we see many examples of people who experienced depression. King David wrote many Psalms that express his feelings of despair. I will provide you a list of Psalms you can meditate on this week. The prophet Elijah, in 1 Kings 19, struggled with depression after he faced opposition from Queen Jezebel. Jonah experienced depression after the people of Nineveh repented.
However, we also see in the Bible that there are solutions to depression. King David often turned to prayer and worship as a way to lift his spirit and find comfort in God's presence. In Psalm 42:5, he writes, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Additionally, the Apostle Paul encourages us to focus on positive and uplifting thoughts in Philippians 4:8, where he writes, ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’
Now, to answer your question about anti-depressants, I believe that it's essential to take care of our physical health, and sometimes medication can be a helpful tool in treating biological conditions. However, I also want to acknowledge your concerns about the side effects of medication. It's important to remember that medication is not a magic solution, and it's not the only way to treat depression. In addition to prayer, worship, and fellowship with other Believers, biblical counseling can be a helpful tool in addressing the underlying causes of depression. You can also consider other natural remedies such as exercise, a healthy diet, and getting enough rest. Ultimately, the decision to take medication is a personal one that you should make in consultation with your doctor. I encourage you to continue seeking guidance from the Lord and to consider all your options carefully.
Remember, God loves you and cares for you deeply. He is with you in this struggle and can provide the strength and comfort you need to overcome depression. I would be glad to connect you with one of the women in our counseling ministry to meet with you and help you walk through this difficult time. She will be willing to walk this journey with you, pray with and for you, and encourage you through the Word of God. Does that sound like something you would like to try?
Once again, I appreciate you reaching out. I truly believe we can help you feel better and find hope and peace in the Lord. If you are up for it, try to spend some time this week reading the Psalms I’ve included and journaling what you learn. Let me know if you would like me to set up a time to meet with someone this coming week.”
