What percentage of Christians are depressed?

The National Institute of Mental Health lists the prevalence of having a major depressive episode in 2017 at 7.1%. Applying the 7.1% rate to 106.8 million Christians allows us to arrive at the number 7.6 million. So, calculating the number of Christians with depression becomes a matter of simple math, right?

What does the Bible say about being depressed?

Deuteronomy 31:8

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” The Good News: While depression can make you feel lonely, God is still there with you. And he's not going anywhere.

Can you be depressed and still believe in God?

It is possible for believers with clinical depression to deeply believe in God and have true faith. But depression can eclipse this the same way another person's severe chronic back pain may make it difficult at times to actively feel God's presence—pain has a way of taking over.

Is depression considered a sin?

Nonliberal Protestant forms of Christianity tend to view depression more as a sign of spiritual illness than spiritual health: an indication of demonic possession in some Charismatic and syncretistic/indigenous forms of Christianity, and a sin or a result of sin, primarily in conservative Evangelical thought.

How does God view depression?

For Christians, suffering is a gift and blessing from God in disguise. If you take suffering as a gift and blessing from God in disguise, you will look on suffering as a friend rather than an enemy. Depression is a real suffering. Yet for those who love God, depression is a stepping stone for spiri- tual growth.

Christianity and Depression - Dr. Aaron Kheriaty

Who got depressed in the Bible?

Elijah, a prophet, Biblical hero, and person of faith, was seriously depressed.

Is it a sin to have anxiety and depression?

Anxiety and Depression are not Sin – and Here is Why! If you had an upbringing in the church, it is likely you have heard the message (intentionally said or not), “one only needs to pray ______ away”. While well intentioned, this can be harmful for both the individual's mental and spiritual health.

Is depression more common in Christians?

There is research showing both increased and decreased rates of depression in Christians compared to the general population. However, one of the largest metanalyses suggests there is a minimal-to-mild decrease in depression rates among Christians (Smith et al.

How does God say to deal with depression?

Psalm 34:17-18

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Is anxiety a sin in Christianity?

The above verses (and others) about anxiety find their home in Hebrews 11:1 and what it tells us about faith. Anxiety in and of itself isn't sinful. Not trusting God is sinful. It's sinful to live as if you need to take care of yourself because you can't trust God to provide.

What would Jesus say about depression?

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus wants to give you rest. To get the rest from the oppressive burden of depression, Jesus tells us to take our burdens to Him. Jesus speaks of His yoke. A yoke is a device that was used in farming, where two oxen would be yoked together to pull a plow.

How does God view mental health?

One of the ways that God shows us that he cares for our mental health is by providing us with the things we need - a great therapist, access to medication, time with Him, a good support system, or all of the above. Loving God with our minds can mean utilizing some of these things he provides.

How does God view mental illness?

More importantly, the incarnation of God in Christ shows us that we are not alone. In Christ, God shares in the kinds of suffering that we call mental illnesses. Mental illness is not a failure of Christian faith; it is a challenge to Christian faithfulness.

Does the Bible say depression is real?

1) In the Bible, depression and anxiety are described as a human experience with God involved, NOT a diagnosis with a distant God. The Bible is an ancient text full of rich, poetic language. It articulates depression and anxiety as deep human experiences with God as relationally PRESENT for support and grace.

Can you choose to not be depressed?

Depression is a real illness, just like any other, and there are effective treatments. You don't have to suffer in silence or feel guilty that you aren't trying hard enough to get well. Sometimes, just making it through the day is the best that you can do—and that's OK.

What is the spiritual cause of depression?

Spiritual depression may also occur in people who have a natural spiritual sensibility which they don't understand or accept. A naturally spiritual person might feel a strong sense of connection to nature, feel a strong attraction to solitude and quietness, and feel intense empathy and compassion.

Is atheism linked to depression?

Although controversial, it is often argued that religious belief is a cause of greater happiness. However, we have found in two separate studies that both theism and atheism are correlated with fewer reported depressive symptoms than the in-between state of 'existential uncertainty'.

Can believing in God help treat depression?

The researchers report that previous studies suggest that spiritual or religious beliefs may act as a buffer against several mental health conditions and behaviours, including depression and self-harming.

How does Christianity affect mental health?

Religion gives people something to believe in, provides a sense of structure and typically offers a group of people to connect with over similar beliefs. These facets can have a large positive impact on mental health — research suggests that religiosity reduces suicide rates, alcoholism and drug use.

What does God say about depression and anxiety?

Matthew 6:25

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Who in the Bible had a mental breakdown?

Biblical texts were examined, with a close study of verses relating to the mental disorder that afflicted King David, the second and greatest King of Israel, who ruled more than 3525 years ago.

Does the Bible say about mental health?

We see this in God's creative acts of making humans in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), of giving them each other as companions (1:27–28), and of giving them a mandate to steward the earth (1:28–30). Regarding mental health specifically, the Bible contains no one word for mental illness.

Who has schizophrenia in the Bible?

Ezekiel: evidence for schizophrenia

Stein identifies evidence for four first-rank symptoms, catatonia (Ezekiel 3:25-26 and 4:4-8) and various hallucinatory experiences, all of which lead him to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Do schizophrenics believe in God?

Results: Of the 100 patients of schizophrenia, 99% reported that they believed in God. About 60% of patients attended religious places either once a week or more and 56% of patients indulged in private religious activity at least once a day. Two-third of the participants had high intrinsic religiosity score.