Is Depression a Sin?

[TraversD]

Here's a question for you Christians out there...

Is depression a sin? Is there any possible way it can be?

I've been considering this for awhile and would welcome input.

[risdernip]

I don't think depression is a sin.
We should do all we can to get better. But being depressed is an affliction, not a sin.

[TraversD]

But what if you were to somehow say that you "choose" to be depressed? Like somehow in being depressed what you're really saying is that God's grace/love/mercy/whatever isn't good enough for you... in that somehow you are denying him in being depressed?

Or what about this, can being depressed cause you to sin?

Or, maybe because I feel depressed I feel excessively guilty? But I never seem to be satisfied on this point...

[risdernip]

Is lung cancer a sin? Is diabetes a sin?

in both cases, there are things a person can do to stay healthy (don't smoke, mind your diet), but i would never say that either condition was a sin. i think it's the same for depression.

Has anyone ever been told this when someone found out you had depression or another mental illness? in my case they didn't say word for word that I was sick because i had sinned, but the implication was there, that getting the devil out of my life and getting right with God was what i needed to do in order to be healed.

[Friendly]

What is a sin?

In my view choice has nothing to do with being depressed.

The commonly known extrenal and internal factors that bring on depression i.e. history of child abuse, family dysfunction, bullying in childhood and adulthood, domestic violence, imblance in seritonin levels and other forms of mental illness - nobody 'chooses' to experience these things.

Not being prepared to help yourself - now I think that can be fairly common for people with mental health issues. Having worked as a support worker, over the years I have met a fair few people who seemed to be more comfortable in staying in their learned helplessnes and re-inforcing that at any opportunity than making the effort needed to give themselves half a chance at a quality life.

[bluebutterfly]

No, depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. No one's fault.