Depression vs. Guilt

The bible may hurt you with the truth but it will never comfort you with a lie

This is something that I have been dwelling  on for a while. I have been ranting about depression. I had even contemplated that I had an addiction to depression. I had some time to reflect and I realized that my first instance or semblance of depression was not depression, instead It was guilt.

Now, I know and recognize the need to treat medical depression, but I wonder how many of us mask our guilt on the guise of depression. I know that a lot of the times I am  depressed because of my sins, but I have programmed myself to call it depression and I medicate my guilt away.

Maybe It’s just me….

I am also wondering if there is a relationship between confessing to a priest (or to GOD) and seeing  a psychiatrist. To me both sounds prescriptive

just thinking loudly…. what do you think?

“Anybody who’s been depressed can tell you that feelings of guilt and self-blame can be overwhelming. In fact, the tendency to blame oneself excessively (and inappropriately) is a key factor in depression. … In depression, excessive self-blame is often accompanied by the equally maladaptive tendency to overgeneralize.”

 Jun 6, 2012: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2012/06/06/oh-the-guilt-the-neurobiology-of-blaming-yourself-for-everything-when-youre-depressed/

Is Guilt a Hidden Cause of Your Depression?

While sin and guilt may contribute to depression, it would be terrible to explain our guilt away as depression. What would happen if we got rid of our guilt completely. Would the world be a better place. I think guilt and depression has a place in our lives. Obviously too much of anything is bad for us.

Confession of our faults is the next thing to innocence-Publilius Syrus

 

36 thoughts on “Depression vs. Guilt”

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  2. This is very true, and great timing for me! I’ve encountered the same thing, in a way, and realized yesterday that it was guilt about not doing the things that I should be doing. While that guilt did lead me to feel depressed, I see that there’s only one way to get out of that slump- and that’s to acknowledge and confess my wrong actions (or inactions), get up- dust myself off- and start again. And pray for His help of course. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Wow that was a relief to hear.
      “I see that there’s only one way to get out of that slump- and that’s to acknowledge and confess my wrong actions (or inactions), get up- dust myself off- and start again.”
      Something that I have been meaning to do

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  3. Amazing post!! :O
    Loved it. I have had times when I’ve felt depressed. Now I’m wondering if it was because of guilt and if it was guilt, what was I guilty about and if it wasn’t guilt, what was it. There’s gotta be a reason.
    Yes I do think depressing plays a huge roll in our lives. We need it. But not too much.
    Thanks for this awesome post.!

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  5. Because we are “wonderfully made,” we are also complicated. Depression can be caused by poor nutrition, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, alcohol or other drugs, chemical balances in the body, traumatic experiences, memories of traumatic experiences, guilt and other spiritual problems, and probably a few that I’ve forgotten. It therefore is always helpful to find help dealing with depression–a physician, a counselor, and a pastor.
    The Bible instructs us to confess our sins to one another. When this was commonly done in the Church, people didn’t need psychologists. Twelve-step programs are modeled by the ancient Christian practice of confession and absolution (the assurance of God’s forgiveness). While it won’t fix a depression caused by physical things like poor nutrition, confession to a fellow Christian who will assure you of forgiveness is always healthy.
    Guilt is good when it brings us to confession, taking us to the cross where all our sins are removed by Christ’s ransom. God’s enemies offer a counterfeit guilt that doubts God’s love and his forgiveness. That guilt can be set aside as contrary to God’s will and favor. J.

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  6. I agree wholeheartedly! Especially if you “take the other road” and seek professional help, and or/medication with little or no improvement. Guilt is heavy and weighs us down the longer we carry it. True, it can be because of something we may or may not have done, but from my experience, it’s been about forgiveness…real forgiveness. I told someone I forgave them – but I hadn’t. It was just lip service. I was “depressed” for over a month. However, when I prayed about my condition and was shown what I’d done, I sought that person out and truly forgave them from the heart, not the mouth. My “depression” faded away in less time than it took me to realize it.

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    1. Its not easy to forgive. Even when I convince myself that I have forgiven someone, Revenge fantasies & hate creep in. Forgiveness is not a state of mind, its a wilful act that goes against the grain of our natural emotions

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  7. Being depress and having guilt only shows we are human and for me it is just normal to feel it sometimes or oftentimes depends on your situation. What will happen if human were happy all the time? yep, they will forget about GOD. I think this feeling link us to remember there is greater than us and you don’t lose anything to ask for guidance or help from above. I do especially when the times get rough. I am not a fanatic but this is my opinion. Peace be with you 🙂

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  8. Sin and guilt definitely have a place in our lives. Without it, we wouldn’t need God. But I’m thankful we have forgiveness and grace to remove the sin and guilt. Depression is a very powerful thing and is caused for many reasons. It can leave a person feeling powerless. But there are programs available that can support and give help that’s needed as well as doctors.

    Life can be so hard, sometimes. But we can’t give in or give up. Because life is worth living to eventually see what God has planned for us on the other side. 😀

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    1. Have you ever heard of Celebrate Recovery? I work with this group once a week. It’s for adults and teens that are dealing with hurts, habits and addictions in life. Depression comes with so many of the hurts and addictions. I work with the teen group and it’s an amazing outreach program.

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      1. It’s a place for anyone that has issues and struggles. They ate a support to each other. Each location may have different groups which may work in all areas. You might call around and see if there’s a specific group location that has a group for depression.

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  12. I am new to the blogging world and just started my own blog on my personal journey with depression. This particular article is right on point! For me, blogging has been my way of releasing the guilt behind my depression. I felt that I was wrong by seeking medical help and not just relying on God alone. But I realized that I had to utilize the tools that God placed on this Earth to help me get through. Thank you for sharing this.

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  14. For me personally, these two feelings come very seperate..but I could understand how they may go hand in hand. I to feel as though I am addicted to being depressed I do not feel ..myself otherwise. Thanks for the read 🙂

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  16. Confession to a psychologist, in my case, has been beneficial. What I confessed I do not consider to be a sin. It was a platonic extramarital friendship that developed between myself and a much younger woman, born out of loneliness from a strained marriage and untreated depression. I did talk to my wife about how and why it happened, but did not apologize or ask forgiveness. Have since sought treatment in the form of medication and visits to the psychologist, and the wife and I are trying harder in our relationship. The other friendship has cooled. She was in the in the physiotherapy profession, and had been treating me over the course of a couple of years, but things soon got uncomfortable for her at work, and I saw that it was time to let it go. My psychologist has urged me to hold close to my heart the moments of joy I had with this person, rather than dwelling on its end and the cooling of her feelings. She also said it would not be wrong for a man of my age to feel good about attracting the affection of such a woman.

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  17. Pingback: Depression vs. Guilt — Life Less Ordinary – This Crazy Thing Called "My Life"
  18. Pingback: Confession of our faults is the next thing to innocence ♥ – Hope Dream Wait

  19. Guilt is a contributor to depression. They are not the same. I blog about being free from depression and I’m so glad about this post because I haven’t addressed guilt. Guilt weighs you down and it is not a God-given emotion. God wants us to cast our cares on Him and confess our sins that we may live a FREE life. Guilt just does not fit into God’s desire for us. The weight that guilt brings leads to depression if not taken care of as quickly as possible.

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