Depression & Anxiety – Spiritual Meaning, Causes, and Healing

Depression is a serious medical condition and commonly people aren’t able to just get over a depressive state.

It affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the United States population age 18 and older in a given year.

Symptoms include: hopelessness, trouble focusing or concentrating, sadness, insomnia, drug or alcohol abuse.

The risk factors associated with depression include:

• illegal drugs, alcohol, and nicotine abuse;
• taking certain medications;
• not having close relations or friends;
• having a serious and chronic illness;
• trauma as a child;
• stressful experiences.

Anxiety may be a normal reaction to stress and it can serve as a prompt to deal with difficult situations. But, when anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder.

People with an anxiety disorder are 3 to five times more likely to go to a healthcare professional and 6six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than people who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

Anxiety symptoms include: heart palpitations, not being able to be still and calm, problems sleeping, fatigue, headaches, weakness in the legs, nausea.

According to the MHFA research, those more at risk include those who:

• have a traumatic experience;
• abuse alcohol;
• are female;
• have a history of anxiety in childhood;
• have a sensitive nature.

Causes

Chronic stress – it leads to elevated hormones such as cortisol, the “stress hormone,” and reduced serotonin (a chemical messenger that is passed between nerve cells) and other neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, which has been associated to depression. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of depression that occurs after a serious situation in life. Post-traumatic stress disorder is usually diagnosed in soldiers returning from war.

Personality – individuals with certain personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than others.

Seasonal – called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this condition frequently goes away once the days get longer.

Biological – changes in neurotransmitter levels.

Illness – the worry of coping with a serious illness can lead to anxiety and depression, particularly if you’re dealing with long-term management or chronic pain.

Giving birth – some women are especially vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. The physical and hormonal changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can lead to postnatal depression. Ten to 15% of women experience major postpartum depression that can appear anytime during the first year.

Alcohol – is a type of drug known as a depressant. This means that it inhibits certain receptors in the brain and the result of this is that there is a major depressive effect on the central nervous system.

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Spiritual Causes of Depression and Anxiety

Depression is a condition that has its basis in the stability of our self-worth and self-esteem.

Another cause of depression is the anger and hopelessness you feel.

In addition, most often a wave of depression occurs when we suspect that we have lost the approval of someone who is very important to us. With depression, there are also feelings of fear and guilt of letting people down. There are many reasons and these are just a few.

Not trusting the flow of life can be a cause of anxiety. Anxiety is the most pervasive psychological phenomenon of our time. This condition can vary in intensity and influence.

Intense anxiety can block effective communication, hinder performance skills, arouse panic, and occasionally can cause unpleasant physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, paralysis, or intense headaches.

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Prevention

Physical Exercise

Not only is physical activity good for your physical health, but it can also improve anxiety, depression, and overall mood.

Also, aerobic exercise may help against mild depression since it raises endorphin levels and stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline), which is related to mood.

Sleep

Whether you’re dealing with major depression or just looking to boost your mood, improving your sleep hygiene is a crucial first step.

Plant-Based Diet

According to a study conducted at the University of Melbourne in Australia, women who consumed a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains were 30% less likely to suffer from major depression and other anxiety disorders compared to those who ate a western diet consisting of processed foods high in animal proteins, refined sugars and saturated fats.

Go Outside

Without enough sunlight exposure, an individual’s serotonin and vitamin D levels can dip low. Low levels of serotonin and vitamin D are linked with a higher risk of seasonal affective disorder.

Don’t Consume Alcohol

Not only is alcohol a mood-altering depressant drug, but those at risk for anxiety and depression are also at greater risk of alcohol abuse and developing alcoholism.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeinated beverages lower serotonin and increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. Reduce your intake for tea (green and black), coffee, energy drinks, and hot cocoa.

Drink Plenty of Water

There’s a connection between dehydration and depression and anxiety, so be aware of the amount of water that you’re drinking.

Practice Meditation

Many studies have found that meditation does actually “shape” the brain (neuroplasticity).

The practice of meditation also improves connectivity between the two lobes, corrects the damage from stress, and even promotes cell growth in important regions that are underdeveloped in depressed individuals, like the hippocampus.

Healing Affirmations

I love and approve of myself and I trust the process of life.

I just naturally stay positive.

I allow only loving and healthy relationships into my life.

I now go beyond other people’s limitations and fears.

I find thinking positively easy.

I create my own life.

Images credit – Getty Images

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References

https://www.jabfm.org/content/20/1/28.full
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/depression/