All posts tagged: depression

Study: Excessive social media leads to depression

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Researchers from the Public Policy Program at the University of Arkansas concluded that people who spend an excessive amount of time on social media are more likely to show high levels of depression six months later than those who don’t, Study Finds reports. Curiously, despite displaying high degrees of success and positivity in their posts, months later many were struggling with depression. The researchers came to this conclusion after studying 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 30 in 2018. Study Finds reports: “Regardless of personality type, social media use increased the risk for future depression diagnoses. However, people who rated high in agreeableness were 49 percent less likely to become depressed than people with low agreeableness. When people with high neuroticism — being in a negative or anxious emotional state — spent over five hours on social media (300 minutes), they were twice as likely to develop depression than others.“ The researchers concluded that the depression was caused because people were comparing themselves to others who were also posting the highlights of their lives or when they …

Study: Obsessively watching the news can make you sick

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If you are obsessed with watching the news, a study out of Texas Tech University suggests it could be bad for your health, Study Finds reports. In fact, the researchers noted that those who daily check the headlines will experience “significantly greater physical ill-being,” both physically, mentally and emotionally in the form of anxiety and stress. The study, which involved 1,100 people, added that one in six people had what researchers described as an addiction to the news. Study Finds reports: This can start interfering with people’s personal lives, leaving them feeling powerless and distressed about global events including the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate change. […] Almost three-quarters (73.6%) with severe levels of problematic news consumption experienced mental ill-being “quite a bit” or “very much” compared with just eight percent of all participants overall. The study also found that more than three in five (61%) news addicts experienced physical ill-being “quite a bit” or “very much” compared with just six percent of everyone else. READ: Obsessively watching the news can make you …

Study: Vitamin D supplements may help fight depression

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A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland has concluded that vitamin D may help individuals deal with depression. The researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing the results of 41 studies that looked at the use of daily vitamin D supplements in combatting depression symptoms. The studies that included the use of placebos were conducted on individuals who struggled with depression, those who weren’t struggling from depression and those suffering from other physical issues. Study Finds wrote: Researchers say vitamin D regulates central nervous system disturbances associated with depression. Prior cross-sectional studies have linked vitamin D deficiency and symptoms of depression. However, previous meta-analyses on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression have been inconclusive, until now. “These findings will encourage new, high-level clinical trials in patients with depression in order to shed more light on the possible role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of depression,” notes Mikola. READ: Vitamin D supplements help treat depression, study reveals

Study: Tens of thousands of children clinically depressed due to lockdowns

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According to a recent study out of the United Kingdom, the lockdowns associated with the COVID pandemic has resulted in tens of thousands of children becoming clinically depressed. The study also noted that girls were particularly affected by the lockdowns. Breitbart reports: According to the paper published in the Royal Society Open Science journal, children attending secondary schools in the United Kingdom found themselves suffering more from clinical depression as a result of COVID clampdowns. Researchers found that 27.1 per cent prevalence of depression among their thousands-strong sample, which they say represents a notable increase from where they would have expected the percentage to be had the pandemic never occurred. Overall, The Telegraph reports that this increased percentage means that 60,000 more youngsters were driven into clinical depression by the lockdown. READ: Lockdowns Drove Tens of Thousands of Kids into ‘Clinical Depression’ – Study Of course, this is not the first time we have heard this. READ: Depression Among Children Has Increased ‘Substantially’ Under Lockdown: Study READ: More youth are dying of suicide, overdose than COVID-19 during pandemic: …

Finding new gods through Cluster C: How anxious are you?

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How anxious are you these days? The world has been a mixed-up place lately, and I know people who are stressed about health, including all the COVID issues; and jobs, careers, and finances; and relationships, including marriages and families; and politics sure are interesting. Right now, scientists are getting stressed about a new variation of COVID known as “Omicron.” I have friends who have stopped reading the news. I know a family that lost their old mother, one year ago. She lived a long life, and she was weak and frail when she died, and I don’t think COVID was a factor. It was sad for them to lose their mother, but they were not surprised when she passed. The problem is the “estate.” Their Mom had her own way of coping with stress; she was a long-time hoarder. She worked for many years in a large retail store, and she had easy access to bargains. Now, one year later, the children are struggling to sort and dispose of all the merchandise, unopened in packages, …

Survey: One in 10 pastors contemplated suicide in the past year

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A 2021 survey conducted by Faithlife revealed that over one in 10 pastors contemplated committing suicide over the past year. This was a surprising indicator of the increasing stress that pastors faced during the COVID lockdowns, where church leaders were not only faced with restricted services, but as well the need to transition to an online ministry. In its report entitled, 2021 Pastoral Mental Health Report, Faithlife added that pastors also felt the pressures from the growing “social and political unrest” in society, that was even spilling over into their congregations. In addition, nearly 35% of the pastors survey reported feeling burned out, with 40% of pastors between the ages of 25-40 reporting they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they’re sensing a burnout in their ministry. Faithlife CEO, Bob Pritchett, noted: “We knew it [COVID} took a toll on pastors, but we weren’t sure how it would look. This survey gives us a greater understanding of both the needs of pastors and ways we can help them as they shepherd us.” It …

Why is mental health rapidly declining in Ontario?

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Mental health experts in the Canadian province of Ontario are warning of people’s declining mental health due to COVID and its related lockdowns. In fact, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, things have gotten much worse because of the second lockdown in the province. Of course, it’s not surprising, since the province also has one of the most restrictive lockdowns in Canada. Notice, how people are also claiming they are lonely. The Toronto Sun explains: The poll suggests only 35 per cent of Ontarians consider their mental health to be “very good” or “excellent,” compared to 52 per cent in the first round of polling in May. It also shows nearly 80 per cent of respondents believe there will be a “serious mental health crisis” post-pandemic, compared to 66 per cent in August and 69 per cent in May. […] The poll also found respondents were getting more isolated. Fifty-seven per cent reported feeling lonelier since the pandemic began, with 47 per cent saying they wish they had someone to talk to. And 36 …

Recent Gallup Poll shows why churches are essential

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis just announced that churches were essential and removed the state’s attendance caps that restricted religious services. In part, Polis was responding to Liberty Counsel’s recent legal victories where courts ruled that US states can not violate religious freedoms guaranteed in the American Constitution by restricting church services in the name of COVID. And a recent poll by Gallup concurs that churches are indeed essential services. The survey, conducted between Nov 5 and 19, revealed that people over the age of 18 who attended religious services were experiencing better mental health than those who weren’t. In the 2020 pandemic year, 46% of people who attended church services reported excellent health and surprisingly this was even higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic years when 42% in the same group reported excellent mental health. Gallup also noted that those who regularly attended religious services was the only demographic that showed an increase in those claiming excellent mental health over the previous year. For Americans as a whole, the Gallup poll revealed only 34% described their …

No More Lies!

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In this series we focused on the lies depression tells us. To have victory over depression we need to counter those lies with the truth. In this last article in the series we are going to look at how to be set free from lying spirits and their allies in depression. Depression lies about both who we are and our value. The spirit of depression is a cruel master and like other cruel masters it relies on force and control to destroy us. Getting out from under this force and control is not an easy task. It can be a long, painful journey to freedom. Or it can be one of discovery and light. The traditional way out of depression involves medication, therapy, and support. I know because I used to be involved in this world. Exploring triggers and self-doubts takes a long time and there are many revelations that help along the way. Medication helps victims cope with symptoms of depression and can be essential in preventing suicide. Support that promotes growth and positive …

Depression’s Biggest Lie

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This is the third in the depression series of articles. Depression has many triggers and it is treatable. It is a horrible disease that relies on lies, fear, and isolation to cripple its victims. Please see a medical doctor or a counselor if you or someone you know suffers from depression. Here are the lies I am addressing in this series: I am not good enough I am not strong enough I am not loved enough I am not worth enough I am not needed enough The first two were addressed last week. I am not loved enough. This lie is a bit tougher to defeat. Unlike the previous two lies, it is more intrinsic. It is more of a sense of absence of love that hurts than the love others receive. To be clear, we are all loved by Jesus and by God. So, in that way we are all in the same boat. The issue with depression is often the human element of love is missing. This becomes a foothold for the lies …

Lies of Depression

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Last week I wrote about what depression is and how it can manifest itself. I also mentioned the danger of believing the lies that you are not good enough, strong enough, and that people would be better off without you. I also said that these lies stem from fear and judgement. This week we examine these lies. A disclaimer is that I am not saying that all depression is spiritual. There are many elements that trigger depression and once you are in a depressed state, the enemy lies to you about who you are and who loves you. These are some of the lies of depression: I am not good enoughI am not strong enoughI am not loved enoughI am not worth enoughI am not needed enough All these lies can join together into two harmful beliefs: My life is hopeless, and I am helpless. Once there, suicidal ideation is not far off. Once I start fantasizing about my suicide, it is difficult to pull out of it. Especially when we reach the point that …

Suicide’s Lie

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ESPAÑOL: La mentira del suicidio This is the first of a series of articles about depression. Depression has deep mental and physical roots as well as a powerful spiritual dimension. Often it manifests with a feeling of being out of sync with our world, our family, and even ourselves. And when we are out of sync with the world it feels like we just don’t fit. We start to withdraw from a world that doesn’t seem to care, is hostile, or can’t be bothered with us. The more we step back, the harder it is to stop. We hear that constant voice that offers peace in a world without peace until one moment, one desperate moment, in which the pain of life overwhelms us and we reach for the one way out. And in a flash our life is over. Our pain which was so deep is now transferred to those who love us. Our loss fuels their fire of guilt and anger. Blame is rampant and their lives will never be the same. Just as …

Broken cell phone Credit: Julian/Flickr/Creative Commons

Does Facebook cause depression?

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According to a study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, there may be a link to depression and loneliness to the amount of time a person spends on social media. In fact, Psychologist Melissa Hunt who was part of the study described the connection between depression and social media usage as “striking.” In their study, published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, the researchers studied the impact social media usage had on 143 undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania who were struggling with moderate forms of depression. They focused on three social media platforms: Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram. Half the group was limited to using social media just ten minutes a day (tracked by battery usage on their phones) and the other half continued on as normal. When the researchers tested the two groups at the end of three weeks, they discovered that the group with limited usage saw their levels of depression fall from moderate to mild and there was absolutely no change in the other group that continued usage. Though …