Question: I’ve suffered from clinical depression since I was a teenager. Recently, someone told about an article by an LDS writer arguing that since Satan can’t tempt many of us into making really wrong choices, he inflicts depression on us instead, using it as a way to lie to us about our worth and ability to lead functional lives. The article says that he rejoices when he sees us suffering from low self-esteem, sadness, and hopelessness. Is this a helpful perspective?
Answer: I am always concerned when mental health disorders are framed in a way that gives a satanic personage psychological power, especially when it implies that this being can penetrate the boundary of our physical anatomy and infiltrate the privacy of our thoughts and feelings. When someone is already struggling to make sense of cognitive distortions, anxieties, and mood fluctuations, this kind of framing can cause serious dysfunction in both their personal life and relationships. However, this idea of demonic possession has been common during the many thousands of years mental health disorders were not well understood. Exorcisms and other methods of “casting out” evil spirits were commonplace in many religious traditions, and, in fact, still happen today.
As a Christian, you may have a belief in a satanic being. However, it has been my experience that giving such an entity credit for being “in your head” or believing that you are under its influence only gives that entity (or the idea of it) more power. Satan is a scary figure that provokes fear to begin with, and fear is no friend to depression and anxiety. Even if it makes sense to you that Satan rejoices when we suffer, believing that he can afflict you on a daily basis is psychologically unproductive and even harmful. It tends to lead sufferers to blame themselves for the depression, asking, “What am I doing (or not doing) that allows Satan to have such an influence in my life?” Much of the work we do in therapy is to learn how to combat exactly this type of destructive thinking.
The fact is, mental health disorders are medical issues that require medical treatment. Would we be comfortable saying that Satan has power over our diabetes, cancer, or broken limbs? Or that he rejoices when he sees us suffering from an ulcer, tumor, sore throat, or surgery? In church settings, I’ve noticed that we don’t feel as comfortable speaking of physical ailments as manifestations of Satan as we do of psychological ailments. In my opinion, it is not appropriate to do so in either case.
The first step we can take individually, or in our ward or stake community, to help those suffering from depression is to become educated on this issue and find helpful resources.
Clinical depression is a mood disorder whose symptoms include a persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest in things you generally enjoy doing, significant decrease (or increase) in appetite, sleep disturbance, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, trouble making decisions, and suicidal thoughts. Depression can lead to both emotional and physical problems. The roots of clinical depression are many and complex, including genetic, biological, environmental, psychological, and social/cultural factors. It can affect people of any age, race, or background – though it tends to be more readily diagnosed in women. Certain traits that can play a role in the development of depression include childhood trauma, stressful events, blood relatives with a history of depression, being LGBTQ+ in an unsupportive environment, a history of other mental health disorders, the use of alcohol or illicit substances, and serious or chronic illness. Even some medications have side effects that affect mood.
We have a lot of effective, evidence-based information on how to cope with depression, such as medication management, psychotherapy, exercise, developing good support systems, talk therapy, nutrition, mindfulness practices, hypnosis, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) that can help us lead productive lives.
The second step we can take to help those who suffer from depression is to find ways of offering assistance that is helpful instead of unintentionally harmful. Minimizing depression through comments such as “this, too, shall pass,” “everything has a reason,” “look on the bright side,” or “buck up” is not a useful strategy. Rather, it is all-important to let your loved one know that they are not alone and that you recognize their depression as something real. Simply listening and being present, even if you don’t know what to say, almost never goes wrong. Offer tangible help, such as inviting the sufferer to social activities, referring them to mental health resources, or even providing financial support if needed. And just in case, have quick access to the suicide crisis hotline on your phone: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
When it comes to discussions in ward settings, rather than attributing depression to sin or Satan, it would be more helpful to normalize sufferers’ ailments so that it is no more strange to talk about depression than it is to talk about a broken arm. To be frank, we would see less depression in our ranks if we could address the Mormon obsession with perfection. To do so, we wouldn’t have to stray outside our doctrine. We believe, after all, that we live in an imperfect world, and that pain and struggle are a natural part of our experience here. We also believe that a loving God will support and comfort us. We believe we have infinite worth, divine potential, and an eternity in which to progress—not to mention grace—so we don’t have to stress out. Our doctrine should be a place of refuge and solace when we hit plateaus, take steps backwards, or stop making progress–rather than a source of fear and anxiety. These kinds of beliefs can lead to the “radical acceptance” we need to truly combat hardships like clinical depression. Talking about the gospel this way will actually be useful when mental health is brought up in a Sunday setting.
Above all else, leave Satan out of it. There is nothing helpful about that presence – so why direct attention to it? Less Satan please—more Jesus.