DEPRESSION IS DEPRESSING - BELIEF IN GOD IS ANTI-DEPRESSANT - Health Instead of Disease Series #6

In a recent news release, it was reported that studies have shown that "belief in God relieves depression. This may not be news for Christians but it is news for those who have depended solely upon prescription medicines and clinical treatments for dealing with depression. Is society on the verge of recognizing the significance of the Creator's role in human life ? May be not just yet, but we can certainly hope that we are at least moving away from a futile inward search for a solution to many of our heart and head issues. What is depression ? Are there ways of treating it that are more in harmony with the laws of health and the laws of the mind ? Let's explore a few of the answers to these questions.

Depression is defined by a standard set of symptoms described in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They are:

o poor appetite and significant weight loss, or increased appetite and significant weight gain;

o insomnia, or increased sleep;

o agitation, or retardation, of movement and thought;

o loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive;

o fatigue and loss of energy;

o feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or excessive or inappropriate guilt;

o diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness;

o recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

For purposes of psychiatric treatment, a person is considered to have experienced a major depressive episode if he or she exhibits a loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all usual activities and shows at least four of the above symptoms nearly every day for a period of at least two weeks.

The most common type of treatment involves the use of drug medication. Two major classes of antidepressant drugs are commonly used: the tricyclic drugs, employed since the early 1960s, and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.A.I.s).

There has been some question with regard to the effectiveness and even the safety of anti-depressants. The high profile deaths of celebrities who were using anti-depressants have again brought these conventional medicines under scrutiny. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/celebrity-depression-deaths-highlight-antidepressant-questions/story?id=9983063

In fact, there have been hundreds, indeed thousands of anti-depressant related incidents and a lot of them fatal. See here - http://www.issues-of-life.com/Anti-depressants.pdf

For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:23)

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, the word sorceries comes from the greek word - pharmakeia. The word pharmakeia is where we get our word pharmacy from. Here is the entry in the Strong's Bible concordance.

Strong's number 5331 // farmakeia // pharmakeia // far-mak-i'-ah //
from 5332 ; n f
AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3

1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning

According to the Bible, in the last days, many people will be deceived and poisoned by a modern form of sorcery called drug medication.

Drugs never cure. They only change the form and the location of the disease.

The use of anti-depressants may treat the symptoms of depression but it does not address the cause of depression. As in the case with physical health, there are 3 basic steps to take for the restoration of mental health.

1. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained.

2. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected.

3. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to reestablish right conditions in the system.

1. ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE

Possible chemical and nutrient deficiencies and/or imbalances, stress, trauma, tension or hormonal imbalances. Malnutrition or poor nutritional habits. Low adrenal and thyroid activity. Hypoglycemia. In order for the other parts of the system to be healthy, the brain must be healthy; and in order for the brain to be healthy, the blood must be pure . If, by correct habits of eating and drinking, the blood is kept pure , the brain will be properly nourished. The use of unhealthful food, and overeating of even that which is wholesome, should alike be avoided. Many eat at all hours, regardless of the laws of health. Then gloom covers the mind. When the stomach is disturbed, the mind is disturbed, and the brain nerve power is weakened. The brain is affected by the condition of the stomach. A disordered stomach is productive of a disordered, uncertain state of mind. Mental effort without corresponding physical exercise, calls an undue proportion of blood to the brain, and thus the circulation is unbalanced. Any unnatural excitement of the nervous system affects the brain nerve power. Physical inaction lessens not only mental but moral power. Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwanted action, but the after-effect is exhaustion, prostration, paralysis of the mental, moral, and physical powers.The lungs are constantly throwing off impurities, and they need to be constantly supplied with fresh air. Impure air does not afford the necessary supply of oxygen, and the blood passes to the brain and other organs without being vitalized. Seasonal depression may be due to insufficient sunlight. Tobacco weakens the brain, and paralyzes its fine sensibilities. (All of the above are violations of the 8 laws of health, so learn them - http://www.issues-of-life.com/8%20LAWS%20OF%20HEALTH.html)

Possible violations of one or more or all 8 of the basic laws of the mind - primarily > Beholding, Mental Activity, Physical Relation, Adaptation and Thoughts.

1. It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. The mind assimilates to that which it feeds upon. We become changed into the image of that upon which we dwell - beholding wrong things.

2. The influence of the love of money over the human mind is almost paralyzing. - wrong value system

3. A mind that easily stumbles over hurt feelings will conjure up mistaken ideas of all kinds. - Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. oversensitivity and failure to control imagination

4. The mind must not remain dormant. If it is not exercised in the acquisition of knowledge, there will be a sinking into ignorance, superstition, and fancy. - mental inactivity

5. Every wrong habit which injures the health of the body, reacts in effect upon the mind.-- improper physical habits

6. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to' contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. - low aim, exclusion of God

7. If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong; and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.- wrong thoughts or thinking wrong

8. Nothing can weaken and unbalance the human mind like brooding over supposed wrongs, thinking that you are not appreciated. - self pity

9. It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are" encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance.-- saying things that are not right or good

10. Where there is no purpose, there is a disposition to indolence, but where there is a sufficiently important object in view, all the powers of the mind will come into spontaneous activity. - lack of purpose

2. CORRECT WRONG HABITS - CHANGE UNHEALTHFUL CONDITIONS

The brain is an organ elaborated and functioning from substances present in the diet. Dietary regulation of blood glucose level (via ingestion of food with a low glycemic index ensuring a low insulin level) improves the quality and duration of intellectual performance. The nature of the amino acid composition of dietary proteins contributes to good cerebral function; tryptophan plays a special role. Learn the 8 laws of health and bring your life into harmony with them. Learn the basic 8 laws of the mind and bring your mind into harmony with them. Email request for more detail regarding the laws of the mind.

Since the blood nourishes the brain which houses your mind, it is imperative that the blood be kept as clean as possible. The blood is made up of whatever is introduced into the blood stream.

Avoid all hydrogenated oils, margarine, shortening, greases, and fried foods. Omit all animal products meat, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, yogurt, ice cream.

Especially should objectionable meats such as pork, ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, hamburger, canned meat spreads, pressed meats, and canned composite meats such as Spam, be permanently eliminated. Do not use white bread, buns, melba toast, crackers and saltines, cakes, cookies, white macaroni, spaghetti, white rice, bolted corn meal, cream of wheat, and other refined grain products.

Never use soft drinks, coffees, teas, medicines, chocolate. May use non-caffeinated herb teas and cereal beverages. Crackers, cakes and cookies are unhealthful when made with baking soda or powder, eggs, milk, shortening, artificial flavorings and colorings and sugar. Overcome constipation. If you eat 2 meals per day - you should have at least 2 bowel movements per day. Anything less is constipation. Increase fiber and water intake.

Get plenty of exercise and filter your mental food with Philippians 4:8. Avoid music that does not elevate your thoughts or tend toward the development of a Christlike character. Don't dwell upon negative or sad themes or words in books or via any other media form. (Radio, t.v., movies, etc.) Choose cheering, uplifting words to speak and avoid disagreements. Be patient or become one. Don't try to be a god. Acknowledge your imperfections but never undervalue yourself. Proper self-estimation is found in Christ.

Laws of the mind which will help -

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are] lovely , whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

(Philippians 4:8)

1. When the mind is free and happy from a sense of duty well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the whole being. - cheering others and making them happy in the way that God approves of.

2. The mind which is occupied with exalted themes becomes itself ennobled. - preoccupation with uplifting themes (Christ, heaven, eternity, moral excellence, immortality)

3. Feelings for others' woes will divert the mind from repining, and lead to the forgetfulness of real suffering. - sympathizing with others

4. Check all exaggerated language,' for it destroys the harmony of the mind.-- speak only truth

5. If the thoughts are rightly disciplined, it will be a far lessdifficult task to control the feelings. - control the thoughts

3. ASSIST THE BODY TO HEAL ITSELF

The nature of the amino acid composition of dietary proteins contributes to good cerebral function; tryptophan, Glutamine may be used as an additional brain fuel.

Epinephrine and dopamine (happy hormones) in the brain are formed from phenylalanine and tyrosine.

Amino acid complex, Omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil. Do not get omega-3 from animal sources. Good vitamin and minerals including adequate amounts of manganese, copper, and zinc. The use of glucose by nervous tissue implies the presence of vitamin B1. Vitamin B9 preserves memory during aging, and with vitamin B12 delays the onset of signs of dementia, provided it is administered in a precise clinical window, at the onset of the first symptoms. Vitamins B6 and B12, among others, are directly involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Nerve endings contain the highest concentrations of vitamin C in the human body.

Supplements Recap: Amino acids (tryptophan, glutamine, tyrosine and phenylalanine,

Omega 3 fatty acids from flax seed oil or another vegetable source.

B complex vitamins and Vitamin C in ascorbate form.

1. Eat a balanced protein diet which includes soybeans, nuts and seeds.
2. Take 1 Tbs. of Lecithin 3 times daily
3. Take 1 Tbs. Blackstrap Molasses 3 times daily (optional)

Herbs - Ginseng, Gotu-Kola, Burdock as recommended if in capsule form.

Drink plenty of water. Brain is 75 - 85% water.

Pray and ask God to change your heart and then for strength and grace to change your lifestyle

CHALLENGE - Try all the above for 10 days and see if there is not a significant improvement

The use of herbs should complement obedience to the 8 laws of health. More information about this at www.issues-of-life.com under health issues.

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome. Read the full disclaimer for health issues at www.issues-of-life.com

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

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