Posted by SLS on August 19, 2009, at 13:32:28
In reply to Re: Study on faith and mental illness., posted by SLS on August 19, 2009, at 7:47:12
It is not surprising that anyone with depression should question their faith or spirituality. These things are casualties of the illness. Depression can mute or destroy one's spirituality. Yet, it is precisely a strong sense of spirituality that has been shown to foster a higher success rate in the treatment of depression. It's a Catch-22. That's why it makes sense for someone with depression to attend to their spirituality and find a way to strengthen it.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023120228.htm
There is a fine line to walk, however. People who are always in search for a meaning to life seem to have higher rates of depression. This is an association and not a demonstration of causality, though. Still, if the question remains unanswered, I imagine that there can be a great sense of emptiness that can lead to cynicism and defeatism, both of which can trigger or perpetuate a depression.
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/41/21/26
So which comes first, the destruction of spirituality or the depression? I am guessing it can work either way. Regardless of the order in which they occur, finding spiritual balance is important to mental health. Perhaps better said is that attending to spiritual imbalance is what is important.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:881045
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080809/msgs/912984.html