By Nancy Virden (c)2025

While major depression interrupts healthy and happy living, those suffering from it may show up at work, sit next to you in school, dance, and laugh. They may sing with you in church, shake hands at the office, chat on social media, and continue to lead the family business. Too simply, we can look at a person’s functioning and misunderstand the depression. Proverbs 14:13 reads, “Even in laughter the heart may ache.” 

Reader’s Digest magazine published an article written by a woman diagnosed with depression. She expressed how her friends had trouble seeing her as one with the diagnosis because she was fun-loving and spirited. “I always hula-hoop in Wal-Mart,” she wrote.

Severe depression may be what keeps people in bed, unable to work or care for themselves. These symptoms are obvious. What is not so easily recognized is the deep-seated sense of emptiness. Notice the quickly flashing and disappearing smiles. Is laughter hollow? What do you see in their eyes?

What is a person’s typical behavior outside of a depressed mood? If a regular clown’s jokes get darker, or the topic of death seems to infiltrate normal conversation, if an artist’s work takes on a depressing tone or a student’s reading or music choices dive into shadows, pay attention.

An increase in negativity such as complaining and irritability can be red flags. Is a person’s speech littered with comments such as, “Everyone would be better off if I were not here,” or “My life is over”? If you are uncertain what to think about someone’s mindset, ask them!

It is foolish to accuse someone of suddenly becoming lazy or negative who has primarily been neither of those things. Similar accusations of personal failure can discourage sufferers from seeking help. With significant others calling the struggle a character flaw and social circles avoiding the topic, it is no wonder depression is a secret epidemic.

I have been told depression is a natural reaction to difficulty and should be overcome by willpower and faith. The implication is that these are lacking if recovery is not swift or requires further help. Truth is, feeling down is a natural response to life’s difficulties; diagnosable depression is not. It is a mood disorder and no one can just snap out of it.

A depressed mood is only one of several symptoms necessary for a diagnosis of major depression or bipolar depression. Withdrawal, not experiencing pleasure, low motivation, and more can be signs of depression. It is worse than burnout or grief (see warning signs here). When a person feels hopeless, believing nothing in their pain will change, suicide may seem optional.

A person of faith may feel they have lost contact with God or that He is done with them. This is part of depression, the inability to feel anything good. That does not mean God has gone away or given up on anyone. He is there, working with each believer for complete healing.

Merely noticing that someone may be experiencing depression is not the point of this post. I encourage you to do something about it. Let others know you care, and encourage them to find help. Major depression is highly treatable. For me, whose major depression is linked to bipolar disorder, the answer has been a combination of learning new thinking skills through therapy, behavior adjustment, medications, and surrendering to what works.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Psalm 9:9

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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