I have bad anxiety issues with God. I am always so scared I'm going to go to hell. How can I fix this?
There are many good answers here which stress God’s love and provide you reassurance that God wants only good things for His children. I would like you to know, though, that you may be suffering from a form of OCD known as “scrupulosity.” This is a very real and debilitating disorder. You see, OCD is not limited to the stereotype of obsessive hand-washing or germ phobia. OCD can take the form of intrusive thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts are very disturbing and not what you consider to be representative of the person you are. And for people of faith, those intrusive thoughts can be the recurring fear that you have somehow permanently offended God, or that you can never be worthy, or that you are going to hell, or that you don’t really believe what you say you believe, and on and on and on. Many religious leaders across the centuries have suffered from scrupulously—Martin Luther, for example. The odd thing is, however, that most ministers, priests, rabbis, have never heard of this condition, nor are they trained to recognize it in their congregants. I urge you to do some reading about OCD and find a compassionate psychologist or psychiatrist if the descriptions of scrupulously seem to apply to you. If you do have this form of OCD, you can learn to manage it with cognitive behavioral therapy and other methods. God is peace. And God wants you to have peace—not to be anxious and torment yourself. “Do not fear” is mentioned in the Bible almost more than any other theme. Look into it, and please take care of yourself.
How can a person tell whether they are depressed or just lazy, unmotivated or lacking in willpower? Is this depression: no interests, less enthusiasm for a hobby, inability to converse and respond appropriately, lack of friends, and loneliness?
Hello, Thank you for the A2A:Feeling lazy and unmotivated are 2 criteria towards depression, as long as they are a change from a previous level of function, but there are other things that would be necessary to reach the threshold of depression, over a longer period of time, and physical issues would have to be ruled out as well:Major Depression (DSM-V)A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2- week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others). Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5 percent of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day. • Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down). Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick). Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others). • Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide. B. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. C. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).Hope this helps, and good luck!
How can I stop overthinking because of my depression?
I was just thinking about my sweet black abyss…Long story short - i was diagnose with depression almost 2 years ago; i took the treatment for a while…didn’t do miracles at all and i stopped taking meds. I was in a lonely relation with a guy for 3 years (i.m 31 yo) whenever i was all alone i was in a bad mental stage, very bad… Almost 7 months ago i met this guy at work who is my significant other now, a very thoughtful and caring man, who i love and loves me back and we got engaged after 2 months of relation; i had a job for 6 months, i was in a good mental stage good because i didnt have time to overthink anything, just doing my job and when i came home after work i was to tired for overthinking… most of the time i forgot about my depression and i almost feel happines and fulfilment… I quit my job 1 month ago and the depression seems so kick in again… I have a hard time getting out of bed and do stuff around the house, won.t tell you how hard it is to get out of the house and have a life… I.m still almost happy BUT there.s this someting, this feeling of emptiness in my head like i feel numb and somethimes i feel like my happines is fake like a mask. I haven.t told him because he is affraid of my depression coming back…but my depression never went away, was always here in my head…My advice for you even i really really now it.s very hard, try to do something everyday… Get a job if you dont have one, get a new job if you already have one, try to do things that you once love to do, try to find someone who would really listen to you, a friend, lover, shrink, mom, dad someone.. just try! And never give up! It’s hard! I know it really is hard! I, somehow, got to the point where i just can ignore the overthinking… I think i tortured myself too much and i had enough!I waited years for someone to give me a magical advice for all of this to go away and i only realize the magic was in me. I.m the only one who can get me out of this sweet black abyss, no one else…Just try… try to listen more at others needs, try to help, try to focus on something good, maybe you.ll help yourself in the end.