Can physical illness trigger depression? Depression and Physical Illness: Real Life Answers for Real Life Questions
Today we’re continuing our series on real life answers for real life questions, addressing depression and physical illness.
I’m Angela Howard and my passion is to break the stigma of mental health issues among fellow Christians. If you’re new to my channel be sure to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss out on any of the new content!
Here’s our real life question…
Real Life Question: “My husband has been diagnosed with major depression. At the same time his physical health has taken a nose dive. Is there any correlation?”
Real Life Answer: Depression is a brain disorder that causes a tremendous amount of emotional pain, but it also effects your immune system. In fact it can go both ways, some illnesses can trigger depression. So what can we do? Here are 3 tips for treating physical and mental health.
3 Tips for Treating Physical and Mental Health:
- Coordinate Your Care: There’s a delicate balance between mental and physical health and your doctors need to know what’s happening in each area of your life in order to synchronize your medications and make the best recommendations. Make sure you are fully engaged in the process so that you are honest about concerns, side effects of medications, and symptoms that may be new.
- Treat Your Depression: When you treat your depression your overall health is better off. The most successful treatments are often medication, therapy, and exercise, but each case is unique.
- Say YES to an Advocate: This can be a friend or family member that comes to doctor appointments with you to take notes and ask additional questions when needed. It can difficult to take in all the information when you’re not at your best. Having another perspective can be so helpful both in the appointment and afterwards to help you process.
Remember, as Christ followers, this world is not our home. We are not just our bodies, or just our minds, we have a spirit that is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:6 encourages us saying…
Scripture
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
Question:
What real-life questions about mental illness do you have? I’d love to hear from you today, comment below.
No more confusion or wondering how you’ll face the roller coaster of life with mental illness. Mental Health Academy is here to take the mystery away, and give you the knowledge and the tools you need to have relationships that last! The time is NOW to get our first course: Trauma.
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