An Oversimplified Antidote to Depression?

Anna Maria De Guid considers whether a spiritual crisis is at the root of some instances of depression.

I read a book on depression about three decades ago. I needed a pick-me-upper then. Two chapters into the book and I felt considerably better! This time, there was something inside me that urged me to reread it. I'm not sure why, and it's not because I needed a pick-me-upper.

The book has a simplistic solution to the problem of depression. In a nutshell, the book proposes that our twisted thoughts create our feelings of hopelessness and, ultimately, depression. And what causes the twisted thoughts? They are primarily caused by low self-esteem.

As I reread the book, it dawned on me that as someone who believes in a God who loves me unconditionally, a God who made me after his image, and a God in whom I choose to trust totally, low self-esteem would seem to be a faraway concept. The fact that God loves me gives me a reason to believe I am a worthy human being. And knowing that one is loved unconditionally brings about a burst of energy and enthusiasm to do the best one can do in this world.

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The fact that God loves me gives me a reason to believe I am a worthy human being. #catholicmom

Could it be that a strong belief in our loving and merciful God can help those who are depressed?

In a material world where success means professional, financial, or personal accomplishments, it is relatively easy to go down the slippery slope when things go the opposite direction. At this point, it is easy to think of ourselves as a failure – a loser.

Almost daily, we see the social media posts of family, friends, and people we don't even know showing their vacations in the Greek Isles or South Pacific's Bora Bora. We may think that our lives must be a disappointment not being able to afford such a lifestyle. Likewise, there are posts of extravagant celebrations of milestone accomplishments or even passive milestones like Sweet Sixteen, Quinceañera, or the debutante's 18th. When these stimuli bombard us in our daily lives, many of us may begin to think negatively of ourselves, not to mention awaken feelings of envy. "Why not me?" And going that route could easily lead one to depression.

Isn't it interesting that as our society becomes more secular, there seem to be more cases of depression and suicides? Of course, this is a very simplistic conclusion to observed trends and very complicated problems. (Depression caused by chemical imbalance is another category.)

If we grow up learning that there is a God who loves us unconditionally, I believe that our self-esteem will not be affected by financial status or by worldly measures of success. We know we have intrinsic worth, which has nothing to do with our work and our personal lives. How others perceive us will not even matter because it is how we see and feel about ourselves being at peace with God that counts.

Who knows, maybe the book's behavior modification program for depression could be as simplistic as believing in a God who loves us.

And I think the results could be as positive.

20210201 ADeGuid

Editor's note: Not all depression can be treated through self-help methods, even faith-based ones. If you are in a mental-health crisis, we urge you to contact a professional who can help you. You can learn more at CatholicTherapists.com.