DEPRESSION

Definition of Depression:
Feelings of severe despondency and dejection

Synonyms of Depression:
Melancholy, sadness, unhappiness, sorrow, dejection, despondency, despair, etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and related 12 step programs.
Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail.
We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. Depression is apt to turn us away from the ordinary commonplace things of God’s creation, but whenever God comes, the inspiration is to do the most natural simple things – the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there. The inspiration which comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression; we have to do the next thing and do it in the inspiration of God. If we do a thing in order to overcome depression, we deepen the depression; but if the Spirit of God makes us feel intuitively that we must do the thing, and we do it, the depression is gone. Immediately we arise and obey, we enter on a higher plane of life. ==Oswald Chambers | More…

First, noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.
We should remember first of all, depression has a beginning, and it has an end.

In the midst of it, we may feel that nothing will ever look good again. That is not so. The loss of energy, the dark mood, the hopelessness – all will pass and we will regain our vitality and joy of life.

Second, it helps to stay active. Physical activity is one of the best medicines for a depressed mood: vigorous walks, physical labour, or a good workout at the gym. Another kind of activity is helping others, reaching out to those in need of companionship and a helping hand.

The third thing we can do is stop our negative thoughts. We can simply interrupt a train of thought in the same way we might interrupt a conversation and change the subject. –Wisdom to Know | More…

Overcoming depression is a monumental undertaking, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be done. Bill Wilson contended (based on personal experience), depression actually corrects itself in time. It’s human to be temporarily depressed about a terrible failure or setback. –Walk In Dry Places/Mel B. | More…

Dejection springs from one of two sources — I have either satisfied a lust or I have not. Lust means — I must have it at once. Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Who gives the answer. –Oswald Chambers