One of the best methods of strengthening yourself is to be aware of your thoughts. When you notice you are thinking negative thoughts about yourself, or your life--HANG UP! Just like you would if someone called you on your phone every 5 minutes and told you something negative about yourself. Then choose a simple positive thought to hold in your heart, such as : "The Lord always loves me, even when I make mistakes." "The Lord is helping to carry this infirmity that I suffer with." "The Lord feels my pain and He has great compassion for me." "The Lord knows EVERYTHING about me and understands." Choose your positive thought and, as you hold one simple positive thought in your mind, notice how you feel. Even if you don't believe the positive thought, you will usually feel a warm feeling. Keep telling yourself these positive things--it doesn't matter whether you believe it right now. Just hold that thought in your heart.
DebbieSeptember 22, 2021
I have enjoyed reading every article you have written. This one is my favorite. I am one who has propagated the idea that brain chemistry is to blame for depression. I will no longer dispense that falsehood. I have suffered from depression since I was 4 years old. After a pregnancy I spent 13 years in bed with suicidal ideation. The Lord finally took away my Suicidal Thoughts but I still struggle today and assumed that could never change. Thank you for such a thoughtful, informative, and compassionate letter. It makes me want to try again to h e a l.
Jim ScottSeptember 22, 2021
If you had a cold, I’d recommend aspirin, liquids, rest and sleep, if you were bleeding, I’d see to a cold compress or even a hospital, if you arm or leg were broken I’d see to your comfort and care at a facility, if you were cold I’d find a way to warm you, if you needed to be somewhere I’d arrange for transport. But, I can’t “see” mental illness, where’s the blood, the crooked arm or leg, where’s the touch point to comfort, where’s the place to which you need transport. I take personal any that can’t cope, have difficulties moving or reacting. Helpless I’d try to encourage or reach out but find myself at a loss for words so come up with bland generalities and never reach the point of cure.
So, forgive my clumsiness my seeming lack of caring or my ignorance of your plight and only know each life is valuable to someone, even when alone. God is in his heaven and loves each of us. That you may find that vessel of care and coping is in my heart and prayer.
Charles DEFRANCHISeptember 22, 2021
Some members of my family have been plagued with various forms of depression across generations. Positive mental attitude won't do for chemically-induced depression, and some patients, especially bipolar ones, may have to rely on lithium-based medicine, in order to retain their sanity. Popular LDS writer and former Mission President Brent Top, who experienced depression in his own life, insisted that his depressed missionaries take their prescription drugs in order to respect the Word of Wisdom. Further, the science of depression has made significant progress in recent years, with better tools for diagnosis and better remedies. Let's never underestimate that in order to find balance and serenity into our own lives or that of affected relatives.
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Maryann TaylorSeptember 24, 2021
One of the best methods of strengthening yourself is to be aware of your thoughts. When you notice you are thinking negative thoughts about yourself, or your life--HANG UP! Just like you would if someone called you on your phone every 5 minutes and told you something negative about yourself. Then choose a simple positive thought to hold in your heart, such as : "The Lord always loves me, even when I make mistakes." "The Lord is helping to carry this infirmity that I suffer with." "The Lord feels my pain and He has great compassion for me." "The Lord knows EVERYTHING about me and understands." Choose your positive thought and, as you hold one simple positive thought in your mind, notice how you feel. Even if you don't believe the positive thought, you will usually feel a warm feeling. Keep telling yourself these positive things--it doesn't matter whether you believe it right now. Just hold that thought in your heart.
DebbieSeptember 22, 2021
I have enjoyed reading every article you have written. This one is my favorite. I am one who has propagated the idea that brain chemistry is to blame for depression. I will no longer dispense that falsehood. I have suffered from depression since I was 4 years old. After a pregnancy I spent 13 years in bed with suicidal ideation. The Lord finally took away my Suicidal Thoughts but I still struggle today and assumed that could never change. Thank you for such a thoughtful, informative, and compassionate letter. It makes me want to try again to h e a l.
Jim ScottSeptember 22, 2021
If you had a cold, I’d recommend aspirin, liquids, rest and sleep, if you were bleeding, I’d see to a cold compress or even a hospital, if you arm or leg were broken I’d see to your comfort and care at a facility, if you were cold I’d find a way to warm you, if you needed to be somewhere I’d arrange for transport. But, I can’t “see” mental illness, where’s the blood, the crooked arm or leg, where’s the touch point to comfort, where’s the place to which you need transport. I take personal any that can’t cope, have difficulties moving or reacting. Helpless I’d try to encourage or reach out but find myself at a loss for words so come up with bland generalities and never reach the point of cure. So, forgive my clumsiness my seeming lack of caring or my ignorance of your plight and only know each life is valuable to someone, even when alone. God is in his heaven and loves each of us. That you may find that vessel of care and coping is in my heart and prayer.
Charles DEFRANCHISeptember 22, 2021
Some members of my family have been plagued with various forms of depression across generations. Positive mental attitude won't do for chemically-induced depression, and some patients, especially bipolar ones, may have to rely on lithium-based medicine, in order to retain their sanity. Popular LDS writer and former Mission President Brent Top, who experienced depression in his own life, insisted that his depressed missionaries take their prescription drugs in order to respect the Word of Wisdom. Further, the science of depression has made significant progress in recent years, with better tools for diagnosis and better remedies. Let's never underestimate that in order to find balance and serenity into our own lives or that of affected relatives.
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