Russell Moore tackles this question from a reader:

Dear Dr. Moore,

Not long ago, my doctor prescribed me as having a (relatively) mild form of depression. He put me on an anti-depressant. I hate the side effects, and I don’t like the way it makes me feel, but maybe I’ll get used to it. My biggest struggle is whether it is right to be on these at all. If I have the Holy Spirit, why do I need this drug? Is it ethical for a Christian to take drugs like this?

Dazed and Confused

Click here to read his very sensible answer.

Here are some of my own thoughts on the topic:

If you struggle with depression, it’s okay. You’re not alone. Here’s what you should do, right away:

  1. Make an appointment to see your pastor. Tell him you want to go to private confession, and would like a few minutes to talk to him afterwards. Why confession? We go for the sake of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins, and that is the medicine of the soul that you need. You’re not in trouble, and you’re not going to “confess” your depression. The depression is a symptom of something else. Go and confess your real sins. There are plenty of them, and if you have trouble figuring out what they are, your pastor will be happy to guide you in examining yourself.
  2. Make an appointment with your physician. You are sick. If you had pneumonia, or a broken leg, or cancer, you wouldn’t hesitate to go. This is no different. Something is broken. Go talk to him about it. He won’t judge you or make you feel bad. (If he does, you have a bad doctor. Find a new one.) He will know what questions to ask, and may refer you to a counselor as well. If he prescribes anti-depressants, don’t be afraid, or feel like a failure. If you had pneumonia and the doctor gave you antibiotics, you’d take them, right? Same thing.
  3. Go back to (1) and (2). You need to keep talking to your pastor, and keep going to confession. You also will need to let your doctor know if any medicine he prescribes is working. It might not be right the first time, or the second, or even third. Keep working on it until you find the right balance to help you get back to normal.
  4. You might need to find a counselor. Like anything else, some are much better than others. Your pastor or doctor can give suggestions.
  5. Realize that none of these things are magical, overnight fixes. It takes time, work, wise counsel, and prayer – and it may be something you suffer with all your life to some degree. It’s okay. God loves you, your pastor loves you and wants to bring the grace of God to bear in your life, and your doctor is there to help you.

If a person is really depressed, taking the first step can be almost impossible. If you are the spouse, parent, or friend of someone beset with melancholy, you may need to take the first step for your loved one. They might resent it at first. That’s okay. Do it anyway. They’ll thank you later.