How to Overcome Depression: Christian Advice on Depression, Antidepressants, & Joy in Christ 

As a Christian who has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD for years, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this video. This is the first Christian video I’ve watched where someone hasn’t bashed antidepressants (which I take) or said “just suck it up and have faith.” This was very insightful and helpful. Thank you so much.

Wow,, I needed this.. I have been battling depression since I was 17 . its been years...I have been going through Counselling... When I opened up to a fellow believer about this a few days ago I was told that I have demons, I need to repent from something, apparently I was depressed because I wasn't right with God.. I was shook! I love God, I try my best to live right through Jesus Christ, I serve in my Church but the treatment I got from fellow believers really knocked me down.. I am so thankful for this video

Thank you Mark. I find that I'm really ashamed and embarrassed to talk to people about it because my family thinks I'm just looking for attention and I'm afraid to talk to my Christian friends about it because I don't know if it's a sin to be depressed or not. This video answers a lot of my questions.

Oh my goodness. This touched my spirit. I've been suffering from depression and was just officially diagnosed a few days ago. Thank you for such a powerful message Mark. God bless you.

My experience with depression is unconfessed sin. Once I did deep soul searching and brought all sins to the light, God forgave me. It was like the sun coming out on a dark rainy day. My main problem was hanging on to resentments and not forgiving others that have harmed me. I am in no way saying this is the answer for evereyone's depression. I just want to share this experience, hoping it can help another person.

thank you for this video. two short years ago my special needs son died. he didn't walk or talk, he remained like an infant his whole life. was told he was expected to live 2 yrs. he lived 35.. never weighed more than 50 lbs. never spoke a word yet filled our church to over capacity at his funeral from the many lives he touched......deep sorrow and yet at the same time such deep gratefulness for being able to experience what real love means.

It's great that you are starting the conversation about depression among Christians. You are right, medication is helpful in instances of biological imbalances, but I think it's also really important to note that people that experience trauma and/or abuse, particularly those who go on to develop ptsd or cptsd, will generally need help from medication in order to get to a point where they are able to deal with those things. I think that although it might be easier to discuss the issue of depression by separating the cause into three distinct categories, the reality of many people who experience trauma, either within the church or out of it, lead to a mixture of two or all three, and that medication may be a necessary tool that can be used to get to a point of healing. That being said I do agree that antidepressants do tend to be overprescribed as a solution to all forms of depression, regardless of the cause behind it, but in my experience the church has a lot of learning and understanding to do on the subject of mental health and addressing those who suffer with compassion so it is great to see this kind of video.

How did you know I needed this right now? Lol! God did! Thanks so much!

Amen, I don't suffer from it. But I know people that do. But I pray for them. Listen to them and cheer them and encouraged them while I check up on them. Cause alot of people want to kill them self sooner or later. And we can't let the devil take that soul.📙

I grew up with depression. There were many times when I would experience uncontrollable crying with no reason to be depressed. before the age of 30 I don't remember a time when I was happy. I prayed for years to God for relief from depression. I finally followed the advice of my parents and saw a doctor who prescribed medication. Since then I have experienced peace and joy that I never felt before I started taking medication. I know that this was the answer to my prayers. The brain is a organ like the heart or the lung. It can get sick too, requiring medical treatment.

Have struggled with depression for over two years now, and been slowly going through the healing process. I connected so much with this video, thank you for sharing!

Man I did everything with diet and exercise and quit coffee and all these lifestyles. I tried vegan diet with one hour of walking daily, ate raw vegan diet for 6 weeks and tried a regular healthy non vegan diet all these diets I tried with exercise and lots of water. I dealt with all my addictions and habitual sins. I believe my brain is really depleted. in my most healthiest day I would still feel the need to sit down and could not get up and find any interest in doing anything. I've gotten so many tests: blood test, allergy test, mri, food sensitivity test, cat scan, sleep studies you name it. Nothing wrong. When I was eating super healthy and working out every morning for an hour about 5 minutes after workout, I was so puzzled that I would then instantly have this loss of interest and fatigue, not sadness but just not wanting to be around anyone and just lay in bed or sit on the couch and could not clean, could not play with my son and I couldn't believe it after trying so hard to be healthy and taking vitamins and probiotics and all these things and nothing worked. I believe from my years of addiction I depleted my brain and caused a malfunction in my brain releasing serotonin dopamine because the addictions that I had, I severely abused kratom, alcohol, Adderall, tramadol and Xanax, bulimia. I even got several different demonic deliverances which helped in many ways but still had this chronic fatigue and low brain energy. I left all those addictions in my past and gave my life back to the Lord, gotten healthy again and here I am in the same place of feeling so low in my brain like I get so mentally exhausted after having a 2 minute conversation. Even the thought of answering texts and phone calls is so tiring and I avoid all socialization at all costs. I almost feel like everything I'm doing is a chore and I just have no physical strength or motivation to clean or get out and do activities but I'm not sad. Now I cry because I'm realizing that this is bigger than I thought and I'm missing out on the world out there. I have such a capacity of love and acceptance of people and a gentleness and selflessness and I have all these gifts that I feel are being suppressed by this mental state I'm in but I believe this is exactly where God wanted to take me so that I could see that He has to be in full control and that all those old ways and past sins will lead me here. I have this peace inside of me knowing that no matter what God is with me and I've never been in this place that I am with God where I am at the end of myself, fearless, free from those chains, truly purely only wanting His will and I think he wanted me to get to this place so I could truly experience that and heal. I have neverfelt this low and tired and almost like I'm 90 years old which it's like in this placeGod is pushing me in a cornerand through this extremedifficulty of real chemical depression God is changing me so that once my brain starts healingI will alreadybe renewed in my mind and spirit to give everything to him with my new restored life. Honestly I think God wanted me to seeafter all my obsessions of trying all these different dietsand lifestyles that I was trying to govern myselfthat Iam not God and i have no control over this low brain energy and loss of interest and this feeing like I'm losing myself but it's in this corner I'm being lovingly pushed into where I'm for the first time hanging on to God and I'm not afraid and I feel like he's leading me into taking and anti depressant because I am in my own consequence from my drug abuse that rewired my brain to where it can't function. This will be the first time truly taking a antidepressant and following the directions and I'm excited because of let go of everything else that I use to chemically depend on and now I'm just putting God first and leading this trial for antidepressant help correct my brain and all the joy and peace that I may get from taking it I'm gonna give right back to God.

Thank you so much for sharing this Mark. I’ve experienced bouts of depression during different periods of my life. When I started my current job at a hospital as a nurse’s aide I was working the night shift. That time period was definitely a spiritual and circumstantial depression. It was spiritual in that I started losing touch with so many people from small groups of the church that I was previously attending and I wasn’t always able to go to church every week. It was circumstantial because I had also moved out of my parents house before I started this job and it was very abrupt. I felt like the Lord was telling me to move out because it was a very tension filled environment. Also I think working the night shift made me realize that not being out in the sunlight had an effect on my moods.

I finally realized I was clinically depressed about 10 years ago. 10 years later I am STILL depressed. I have gone to the doctor but none of the meds were helping. The meds that probably would work cost too much, even with insurance. I have tried other methods before I turned to meds, still to no avail simply cause I just can’t stay on track. Right now I am at an all time low. None of my friends really understand. They think I’m lazy, unmotivated or just making excuses, so I don’t go to them for support anymore. I guess I’m just venting cause I have no one to vent to. I’m dying inside, soon I think my life will end. I honestly can not take it anymore. I still pray...

Thank you for this video, it really helped me feel like im not alone. Ive been so afraid to talk to anyone in my church about my depression out of fear that they might not understand or judge me. I'll try to open up about it without feeling ashamed. Praise God!

Thank you so much! Thank you Jesus for this message. God bless you!

it's been 2 years maybe 3 of deepest darkest depression I prayed, begged, pleaded ..no peace no end in sight

Perfect timing. Thank you!

This video was very very HELPFUL! Thank you for creating this video, I appreciate it!

I'm almost 60 and a lifelong Christion and have suffered For decades and prayer pills or therapy nothing works And now the now the good years Are gone 😢 nothing

I have been waiting for this video! Thanks for the great message.

I needed this so bad as well. To be honest, I felt ashamed to have the "diagnoses" of depression. I already know and can admit I am depressed but I just hate the label. What do I do? Could it be pride? Either way I don't want anyone to think it's who I am. I am not depressed... I am Dee. I just have moments of depression... In those times I saturate myself in God's word then I am fine. It is usually triggered by unresolved issues.

Thank you for this video, you have a very good understanding of depression.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I needed this. I know I am dealing with some of it but don't want to stay or speak it into my life. Identifying it and the source very important. Bless you

great im very sad and depressed right now

Thank you for these videos. Watched the one about Christian advice for the job...and now this & totally relate to both. 😌

Mark, can you PLEASE do a video on getting help and choosing to do no more sin as it pertains to lust, impurity and sexual desire. I been really wanting for desires and thoughts in me to stop and end and that I dont act on any of it but I been struggling recently and dont want to turn to sin but to christ and freedom of deliverance. I feel I just will keep slipping up but I don't want to and feel it and I wont ever get right. It's so difficult being single lonely and losing hope i will ever meet and find my wife and that leads me to not only depression but worse. Please pray for me as well.

Mark, another excellent and thoughtful video! God bless you💕

Thank you for posting this video!

my heart hearts

Great video full of encouragement and a well balanced approach to viewing and dealing with depression. I just want to add that circumstances in the past can be a source of present day depression (not just present day circumstances). For example, having a harsh or a distant parent can lead a person to believe there is something fundamentally wrong with them or they are unlovable, which can lead to depression later on. Going back to heal childhood wounds and confront the lies they fostered can also be a path to healing from depression. (Not that it is easy!)

that was so good. mental health issues can really be a constant battle. thank God for grace. people like vegans and those on special diets are particularly susceptible to low mood because of nutritional deficiencies in their diets. commend you for addressing a tough topic.

Thank you

My depression was rooted in spiritual issues, and what I was feeding my soul with (entertainment choices), and dietary choices (I needed a healthier diet). I also needed more exercise. Meds didn't work for me personally. In my opinion, they are just a band aid solution pushed by Big pharma for biological issues that can be resolved with healthier diet and lifestyle choices. The side effects were worse than what what they were supposed to cure in some cases.

Well said 🙏🏻😇

Mine has gotten worse, going to see a doctor soon. The last month isn’t been good. My nephew was diagnosed with same terrible heart disease as I have, which is hereditary. My mom was diagnosed with skin cancer and my best friend that I looked up to as a brother, passed away yesterday. He just had a birthday the day before. And I’m having to live with chronic pain and getting no relief. It’s been hard to pray or even read the Bible. Help.

Very nice

Thank you, this was well said.

I know this is an older video but it helps me a lot. Thanks

Thankyou for the video on depression. Can Jesus save those from biological depression?

So good! Thank you for this!

Thank you so much! I got diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder last week and everyone in my family knows something is wrong with me and I’m in an episode right now and i need to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist for antidepressants but I’ve been thinking what if my family finds out and the people who loves me at my church and I really thought that I can’t let people’s opinions keep me from treatment and it’s been soo bad, like I feel like I’m drowning. And I prayed for God to help me because I didn’t know what to do. And I saw this video😌😌😌 thank you 😊

Amen everything spot on.

Thanks for the video I have a few questions. I have prayed and tried to have faith I felt that God reached me three years ago but now I'm doubting my self if in fact that was it or my desperation for help. I have asked and feel now that God is not sovereign. And I have resentment towards God. Some say God's timing is best however I feel like if in fact God does deliver and it's years since to the point you no longer care, will that even be glory to God. I asked for this then Lord I don't care for it know I overcame it. Then is it possible to believe in God follow the commands by Jesus, but no longer care to ask for anything or love god just be obedient out of fear of damnation not out of love?

I suffer with medical depression. In the very dark times I can't even feel God near.

Deeply depressed as my relationships & career has not gone well. Single parent trying to get through each day.

Idk if it’s possible or not but I’m going through all these three types of depression but it is infact deviated towards circumstantial more. Praying and reading the Word doesn’t help idk what to do, I can’t seem to find this joy and peace in the Lord.

Soon i am at the point that there is nothing else i can do than take anti depressive meds. But i dont think i will if God dont tell me to do it. If meds is my solution God could have told me years ago. 💔😞

Now why would I be 😔 depressed ? I have never gotten my needs met.

I was diagnosticated anxiety on November 2016; and can say that mental work is on you , not on GOD. I think and believe that GOD helps us when we pray and have faith regarding with this aligment between our works (physical work at your work, saving money for your new home, for your new entrepeneurship job) and the faith we show to GOD. But sometimes i think unconciesly we think that GOD is going to do everything. GOD is not going to make you free from depression or anxiety, is your WILL to looking for GOD , your WILL to looking for working a lot, and changing your own thoughs and your way to think. Depression and anxiety is more about the kind of thoughs and actions you have and make than the relationship you have with GOD. The mental work depends on you, only you can stop your bad thoughs and habits, only you have the determination to looking for GOD . If you look for GOD by praying but you dont stop your depression or anxiety through your actions and positive thoughs, it will be the same over and over again. You have to pray and work, you have to pray and change that negative though into another positive though. I think this not have to be something unblibical or sinful , and we can combine faith with some world psichological resources antidepression or antianxiety (breath excercises, mental positive thoughs repetitions throughout the day, sports, hobbies... ), i dont think everything on this world is sinful, is the way you use it what makes it sinful!, and we can use all these things from world in order to have a better life and enjoy not only the presence of GOD, but also the entire expression of life. Regards! GOD bless!

It took me years to realize that I was depressed

To be honest this happened...1# I Got fired today from my job 2# Iam bipolar 3# cant sleep because of restless led syndrom 4# Iam in deep depression 5# A1d 6# I hate myself deeply 7# Iam 31 old man never married nor have a girlfriend....I swear if I only have the guts I would blow my brains off. Iam tired of this crap I hate this world deeply I just want to die...

still easyer not to exist i guess if God doesnt do it i cant repair myslef

I have a feeling many people cover up the problem with drugs, the underlying problem needs to be dealt with or you will be on those drugs and making money for those pharmaceutical companies for decades....