Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline:
“At the heart of God is the desire to give and to forgive. “
Daily Blog
There’s been a lot of bad press around antidepressants this week (A new study links some to an increased risk of dementia, as well as weight gain. However, we’ve known about those potential side effects for awhile).
But for many, antidepressants are absolutely necessary for getting through the day.
So I’m re-upping this massive study from February 2018, which took 6 years, and included all published and unpublished data on the issue.
The Guardian, writing on it.
Professor Carmine Pariante, spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the analysis “finally puts to bed the controversy on antidepressants, clearly showing that these drugs do work in lifting mood and helping most people with depression. Importantly, the paper analyses unpublished data held by pharmaceutical companies, and shows that the funding of studies by these companies does not influence the result, thus confirming that the clinical usefulness of these drugs is not affected by pharma-sponsored spin.”
Dr James Warner, reader in psychiatry at Imperial College London, said: “This rigorous study confirms that antidepressants have an important place in the treatment of depression. Depression causes misery to countless thousands every year and this study adds to the existing evidence that effective treatments are available.”
…. the doctors, noting that just one in six people receive proper treatment in the rich world – and one in 27 in the developing world.
If cancer or heart patients suffered this level of under-treatment, there would be a public outcry, they say.
Above, the study (hat tip: The Guardian] includes a helpful table of results among antidepressants. As always, talk to your doctor.
DEPRESSION:
a. TIP: Journaling to improve depression symptoms.
b. Another study talks about a link between some antidepressants and risk for dementia. Anticholinergic stuff, which we’ve known for awhile.
c. Antidepressants linked (again) to weight gain.
d. That being said, a February study showed just how effective antidepressants are for many.
e. Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker-Smith talks about her depression, and what’s helped.
f. An entrepreneur talks about battling back from a suicide attempt, and building a successful business.
“While I wouldn’t wish depression on anyone, I’m also not at all sorry for those years I spent self-destructing. Because making it through that experience to the other side has taught me more about entrepreneurship and being a successful business owner than any business school ever could.”
ANXIETY:
a. 7 RESEARCH-BASED Thought-Habits of Highly Self-Confident People. (1. Don’t worry if you don’t feel confident all the time. 2. Show compassion to your Future Self. 3. Practice Compassionate and Realistic Self-Talk. 4. Relabel “failures.” 5. Own your expertise. 6. Know your strengths. 7. Remember your higher purpose).
b. Based on a study of mice, one possible reason why women might be more prone to anxiety than men.
c. A pretty good list of natural supplements for anxiety.
d. Singer Jasmine Murray on how her anxiety led to panic attacks.
e. Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin on growing up with anxiety.
OCD:
a. Camila Cabello (Havana singer) talks about her OCD.
SCHIZOPHRENIA.
a. A new study identifies the brain cell types underlying schizophrenia.
MENTAL ILLNESS.
a. New study: Having a mental illness significantly increases the risk of being a VICTIM of crime.
VERSE:
“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
(Luke 5:16)
Michael Reeves, in Rejoicing in Christ:
“His death, not our sin, is our past.”
John Piper talks about the “inexplicable depression” that hit him at 40 years old, crying, and clinging to Christ.
Here’s the transcript, which includes this bit:
“Looking back now from age 71, I am overflowing with thankfulness to the mercy and the power of God to hold on to me during those years. There are some depressing parts of John Piper’s journal. I hope the world doesn’t ever get to look at them. When I look at them, I have to say, “Thank you, Father. If you had not been massively true to your promises to complete the good work that you began, I wouldn’t have made it. I sure didn’t have the fingers to grip this cliff.”
My encouragement to men is that you lay hold of Jesus Christ as Paul says in Philippians 3:12. Lay hold of him precisely because he has laid hold of you.”
A brand new study (honestly, feels like we get one of these on sleep stuff every five minutes) links disrupted sleep patterns to a higher risk for depression and bipolar.
The study authors, writing in The Conversation:
“We found that disturbances to circadian rhythms – specifically, increased activity during rest hours and/or inactivity during the day – were associated with a greater risk of mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), worse subjective feelings of well-being and slower reaction times. These changes couldn’t be explained by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, average activity levels, education, body mass index and childhood trauma.
Overall, our findings provide strong support for the idea that a disturbed circadian rhythm is associated with poor mental health and well-being.”
Here are 12 tips to improve your sleep (not included, for some reason: don’t have kids).
Painting: The Sleepy Gypsy by Rousseau
Mark Meynell, the director for Langham Preaching and Partnership in England (founded by John Stott), opens up about his brutal battle with depression in a new book, When Darkness Seems My Closest Friend, and interview:
One part that particular struck me in the interview with Christian Today (emphasis added):
On one edition of the book’s cover, there is the question: ‘How do you preach a ministry of light through the darkness of depression?’ What is his answer?
‘One [way] is realism, so you’re not pretending and pulling wool over eyes. One is actually faithfulness to the Bible because the Bible helps us live with the complexities of life, ironically.
….we’re preaching a person, and we’re saying hey, come and meet this amazing guy I’ve met, and he has been there. And the astonishing thing is it doesn’t matter who it is you introduce him to, or what agonies they have endured; he’s been there, and that means there is hope for everybody. So there is nothing more wonderful and astonishing that being able to introduce people to him.’
And then there’s his perfect sentence on depression from the book’s preview:
“I’m looking for the words, and writing for those who can’t imagine the words.”
From Pastor J. Kevin Butcher’s book, Choose and Choose Again:The Brave Act of Returning to God’s Love, on something that especially plagues Christians with depression.
“Guilt is about what I do. Shame is about who I am. The antidote for guilt is forgiveness. Shame calls me to cease to exist…. knowing that we are forgiven but still feeling dirty is pathological shame.
… Shame keeps us from personalizing and taking into our hearts anything about God that gives us value and allows us to know, to feel, and to be secured in his love.”
People struggling with eating disorders have a helpful new resource.
Video-chatting with their nutrition counselor, while at the grocery store. It’s called “Grocery store therapy.”
Individuals with anorexia, binge eating disorder and bulimia often feel anxious and overwhelmed when surrounded by food. This anxiety can make grocery shopping and cooking a challenge.
A new form of telemedicine in which people can video-chat with a nutritional counselor while at the supermarket aims to help.
….Earlier, dietitians and counselors would accompany their clients on store outings. Telemedicine allows for virtual help. It can be a game-changer for those living in rural areas where access to health-care services may be limited, experts said.
Lois Zsarnay, a therapist and dietitian in Ventura, Calif., said telemedicine has expanded the support services she can offer.
“With technology like FaceTime, I can virtually accompany my clients at the grocery store, which allows me to help them at that moment with their food struggles,” she said.
Zsarnay first meets with clients in person. They discuss food fears, potential anxiety triggers and treatment goals. For some, simply stepping inside the store is a huge success; others are ready to take a more significant risk by purchasing a “forbidden” food, such as ice cream, bagels or potato chips, she said.
Talkspace is a great resource for virtual therapy.
The picture? It’s called Double Mona Lisa by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Peanut Butter and Jelly.
John Piper, in Desiring God:
“The astonishing good news implied in the duty of prayer is that God will never give up the glory of being our Servant.”