Before embracing my faith in the Lord, I had believed that I would be reliant on depression medication indefinitely.
The recent passing of celebrity CoCo Lee has once again shed light on the perils of depression. I recently came across some articles in the media discussing depression, which prompted recollections of the time when I received a diagnosis of depression.
The origins of my depression can be traced back to my final year of high school, during which I felt lost and plagued by existential questions such as, "Why is attending college necessary? What is the purpose of my life?"
During my freshman year, I encountered a description of depression that resonated with my own experiences. Seeking professional help, I registered at a reputable hospital's psychological clinic in the provincial capital where I resided. After completing several questionnaires, the doctor diagnosed me with depression. From then on, I commenced sporadic psychological counseling and a continuous course of medication.
In my second year of university, my situation took a turn for the better, and my academic performance notably improved. I even received a scholarship that year. For a period of time, I ceased taking medication and discontinued visits to the psychological clinic, convinced that I had overcome my condition.
However, in my third year of university, I encountered significant challenges in some of my specialized courses. Unable to overcome these difficulties independently, I found myself descending back into the grip of depression. Consequently, I resumed taking antidepressants. Although I felt disillusioned with the effectiveness of psychological counseling, I persisted with the medication. The instructions accompanying my prescription explicitly stated that psychiatric medication should not be discontinued without due caution. A second relapse essentially implied a lifelong dependency on medication. During that period, I felt as though my life had come to an end, questioning whether I would be forever bound to the necessity of medication.
Fortunately, during my senior year of university, I found solace in my encounter with the Lord. Through my unwavering faith, I made the decision to cease taking antidepressants. Subsequently, when faced with insurmountable difficulties, I turned to prayer and found that many individuals offered their assistance after my supplications.
As my understanding of the Lord deepened, I gradually found answers to the perplexing issues that had troubled me during my final year of high school. Upon embracing the Lord, I came to comprehend the existence of an eternal realm and an ever-loving heavenly Father.
As my faith in the Lord grew, I devoted myself to serving Him wholeheartedly. Fueled by the unwavering assurance of God's love, I developed the fortitude to confront challenges and ceased to fear seeking aid from others.
The book Inside Out expounds upon the significant factors contributing to depression. The author categorizes human needs into three levels: basic needs, psychological needs, and core needs. Basic needs encompass essentials such as sustenance, clothing, shelter, transportation, and occupation. Psychological needs revolve around human relationships, while core needs pertain to one's relationship with God. When the core need remains unfulfilled, an indelible sense of emptiness and meaninglessness perpetually lingers within the human heart.
Once the core need is satisfied, even in the absence of fulfillment in basic and psychological needs, an individual can overcome any adversity with the aid of God.
(The writer is a Christian in Jiangsu Province.)
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
