Facing the Darkness: My Battle with Depression (Part 1)

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed counselor or therapist. The details of this episode are shared for informational purposes only and are no substitute for professional counseling. If you suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts or any other form of mental illness, please seek professional help immediately.

My History with Depression 

• My depression began when I was a teenager, probably triggered by conflict with my parents. I ran away from home at 16, which only made my symptoms worse.
• Things came to a head during my junior year in college. I got into a heated argument with my roommate, which triggered deeper levels of depression and thoughts of suicide. I began to see a counselor, learned some coping mechanisms and got married later that year.
• A year into my marriage, I graduated college. I struggled to find work and soon got pregnant with my son, which increased my depression and suicidal thoughts even more (they never really went away). I returned to counseling and started taking medication. At this point, I was healthy enough to be functional, but I hadn't fully recovered yet.
• A few years later, my family moved back to Texas to be closer to my parents. I became active in a church and found support from other women like me. Over the next five years, I began to heal and to feel like myself again.

How I Overcame My Depression

1. Medication: This isn’t the right option for everyone, but it was for me. Make sure you discuss side effects in detail with your doctor before you start on medication.
2. Counseling: I have met with both Christian counselors and pastors, which helped me in different ways.
3. Mentorship/Discipleship: Older women who had similar experiences poured into me and gave me a healthier perspective on life.
4. Building Support Systems: My husband, friends and family are there for me during dark episodes and know how to support me through them.
5. Prayer/Bible study: My relationship with God was pretty erratic for a long time, but once I got healthier, it became strong.
6. Self-Care: Diet, exercise, healthy amounts of sleep, etc.

Resources if You're Suffering from Depression

1. World Health Organization
2. National Suicide Prevention Hotline
3. Mental Health America
4. The National Network of Depression Centers
5. The National Alliance on Mental Illness
6. Mental Health Grace Alliance
7. If you're a Christian, consider reaching out to your local church for Christian-specific resources. Christian counselors can give advice and insight about the spiritual aspects of depression.

Action Steps:

1. If you're suffering from depression or another form of mental illness, check out at least one of the resources listed here as soon as possible.
2. If you know someone who is suffering, share this episode of the podcast with them.