4 Common Reasons Why You’re Depressed (and How to Feel Better)

Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates spike in the light of Spring, not the darkness of Winter. 

Did You Know That

Depression in the United States…

• Affects over 18 million adults (one in ten) in any given year.
• Is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44.
• Is the primary reason why someone dies of suicide about every 12 minutes. – over 41,000 people a year.
• Every day, approximately 110 Americans take their own life, and roughly 3,500 attempt to do so.
• Not knowing HOW to get help prevents people with suicidal ideation from seeking help. Connection and support are vital to helping the depressed overcome.  

4 Common Reasons Why You’re Depressed (and How to Feel Better)

1. Physical

• Brain – In no-fault, brain illnesses like Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, there is a chemical imbalance and circuitry shortage that takes place. This causes dysfunction and disorder from thoughts to feelings to behaviors. 
  • Suggested remedy: Much of the issues in the clinically depressed state can be addressed appropriately through psychotropics (psychiatric medications) and cognitive talk therapies. I recommend a list of Christian mental health resources here.

• Body – Lack of physical nourishment and a healthy lifestyle will take a toll on the moods. Generate energy through wise food choices and expending energy in physical activities. Sometimes you get out of your body what you put into it. Gut bacteria and intestine health is very closely linked with brain health. 
  • Suggested remedy: Taking good care of our diet repertoire and exercise routines is essential to maintain our well-being.

• Isolation (Lack of Others-Awareness) – Amidst the youngest generation, suicide is the second leading cause of death ages 10-14. If I could point to one thing that is undermining the flourishment and potential of our youth in our times, it would be the overuse of electronic devices. Up until this Generation Z, our childhoods were generally safer and more outdoors/wilderness-oriented. Unfortunately with the influx of phones and tablets in young people, we have a simultaneous pandemic of overuse. There are too many stories and studies of the negative effects of social media and technology among our most vulnerable and fragile. This affects their brains and in turn, their bodies. It leads to anxiety and depression.
  • Suggested remedy: Kids need less screen time and more interpersonal people time. Put safeguards and measures in place as the adult. Limit screen time with apps that turn off internet or phones that limit access to social media. If you are an adult who struggles with your social media consumption, download an app to limit your data usage.

2. Psychological

• Attitude – Your mind can be conditioned to think and focus on negative thoughts easier than it can positive ones, if you’re not careful. What you believe about yourself and how you talk to yourself in your inner person can be your key to how you feel. 
  • Suggested remedy: Dwell on positive things and you can reap positive results, yielding positive beliefs because you prove you can do what you put your mind to. Try gratitude or prayer journaling, meditation on truth, or cognitive based therapy.

• Lack of Grit – What I mean by that is, no self-discipline. Challenges and trials, temporary tribulations beg us to draw on our inner strength and endurance. When we refuse to let these tests master us and decide to focus on learning what the life lesson is, we can conquer prideful ignorance and interpret failures as stepping stones, not dead ends.
  • Suggested remedy: Set habits and implement schedules to stick with the habits. Routine is a great gateway to discipline.

3. Situational

• Circumstances – Death, accidents, life-altering changes are all contenders for causing you to feel sorrowful and depressed. Naturally, feeling sad and even remorseful are parts of the grieving process. They may run their course but after a few months, depression should be checked in on by a professional if it persists.
  • Suggested remedy: Grief therapy and basic counseling can be helpful, as well as natural supports like family and friends. I recommend the book Finding The Good In Grief by Dr. John F. Baggett.

• Relationships – Excessive boundary crossing can yield conflict and too much of that can cause you to feel depressed. This should encourage you to build better relationships by setting healthy boundaries. 
  • Suggested remedy: I recommend the book Boundaries, by doctors Cloud and Townsend to help you remedy the emotional depression-inducing stressors of rocky relationships. Also, family and marriage counseling can be helpful and empowering.

• Finances – A lack of funds can easily send you into a depressed state. Living within your means is essential to finding a balance and contentment in life. 
  • Suggested remedy: I recommend keeping a budget, and keep it simple: income minus expenses. Expenses should be broken down into two main sections: fixed regular expenses (like rent, mortgage, utilities, insurances, etc.) and variable expenses that change month to month (I categorize under travel/activities/eat out, gifts, personal expenses (clothes and other wants), groceries, household projects, gasoline, haircuts and other. For paying off debt and Biblical-based budgeting tips, I recommend Your Money Map by Howard Dayton.

4. Spiritual

• Idolatry – Well, let’s just say worshiping false gods (demons) and idols (anything more valued to you than God) can mean many things. Generally you’re not going to find true peace and joy from religions and any kind of kingdom the world offers. If you’re actively seeking any other kingdom other than God’s, you’re not going to feel satisfied and will come up short and depressed.
  • Suggested remedy: I strongly urge you to stop worshiping false gods and idols, turn from them to Jesus and accept His forgiveness and healing to lead you into a relationship with the one true God.
• Sin – Keeping hatred, bitterness and any sort of evil in your heart is going to quickly add up to a deficit on joy, and an investment in depression. Sin is “missing the mark,” and falling short of God’s standards and commands. When you’re in sin, it may feel like a thrill and pleasure, but its luster never lasts. 
  • Suggested remedy: The answer to this one is fairly simple: confess and admit your sins to God, and repent and turn to Him for forgiveness and healing. And believing on and trusting in His only son Jesus will get you the rest of the way out of this kind of depression. You give your sin-sick depression in exchange for a true lasting joy.
• Pride – The position of our heart says a lot about how humble we are. Humility lays a foundation for surrendering to Christ and His Strength. We are not going to do anything great or even good, apart from His power. In our weakness, meekness, and humility, God’s power is made perfect and displayed upon our shortcomings and struggles (2 Corinthians 12)
  • Suggested remedy: Humble yourself and ask God to use your shortcomings and struggles to demonstrate His power and ability. Ask Him to give you His strength to be obedient to His commandments. Tune into His voice and focus on what His Spirit is saying to you through His Word and His “still, small, voice”.

If you or someone you know are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, please use the following resources:

Crisis Text Line – crisistextline.org – text CONNECT to 741741
Text trained counselors anything that’s on your mind, 24/7, confidential, nationwide

National Hopeline Network (800) SUICIDE (784-2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255) – Now dial 988 in the US

Veterans Crisis Line – Select Option 1

National Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 442-HOPE (4673)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline (800) 950-6264