John Wesley and Depression

Today John Weslleys “Lowness of spirits” would be better known as depression. Classified as a mood disorder in the DSM-IV

He describes this lowness as follows,

“We sometimes say, “A man is in high spirits;” and the proper opposite to this is, “He is low spirited.” Does not this imply, that a kind of faintness, weariness, and listlessness affects the whole body, so that he is disinclined to any motion, and hardly cares to move hand or foot? But the mind seems chiefly to be affected, having lost its relish of everything, and being no longer capable of enjoying the things it once delighted in most. Nay, everything round about is not only flat and insipid, but dreary and uncomfortable. It is not strange if, to one in this state, life itself is become a burden; yea, so insupportable a burden, that many who have all this world can give, desperately rush into an unknown world, rather than bear it any longer.”

The following stands out:

1. Loss of energy affecting the whole body.

2. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities and the capacity to enjoy them.

3. Overall depressed approach to life

4. Suicide or suicide attempts.

John met seven of nine criteria for a depressive episode. The Holy Club at Oxford was and is well known for visiting prisons. Often those with mental illness are found in prisons for a multitude of reasons, but like Jesus John and Charles where no stranger to mental illness.

Causes

John also felt that depression was caused by both natural and spiritual causes. Very ahead for his time he felt that depression was more often caused by natural causes rather then spiritual causes. From current knowledge, his list includes both predisposing factors and consequences of depression. They include:

1. Constitutional. By this, he meant one’s overall make-up. Our constitution makes us liable to various problems of body and mind.

2. Situational. He mentioned illnesses, poverty, and varied losses as prime sources of heaviness.

3. Personal Choices and Behaviors. These include alcohol use; heavy tea consumption; lack of regular exercise; appetite and sleep problems (hypersomnia).

4. Emotional. Wesley mentioned irregular passions and their inappropriate regulation.

Sermon

John Wesley wrote an entire sermon on Nervous Disorders where he details both his thoughts on causes and on treatment.

Treatment

Also very progressive for his time was Johns views on treatment, he believed whole heartily that depression could be treated through interventions. John quotes Philippians 4:7

“But the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep thy heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”(Phil. 4:7)

He saw God’s peace filling the heart and chasing out the lowness of spirits. For John God is the ultimate source of healing, including that for the mind. In overcoming depression he wrote

“But this cannot be done by your own strength; it can only be done by the mighty power of God. If you are convinced of this, set about it, trusting in Him, and you will surely conquer.”

But John also felt that people need to play a role in their own healing. He emphasized human motivation and action that included abstention from alcoholic beverages, reducing use of tea, caffeine, exercise, diet, getting enough sleep and tending to ones emotional life. Successful change involves God and persons, spiritual and natural. The power of God and human responsibility held together in a wonderful tension.

Recovery is possible and a core part of Methodism is making sure that no one grows cold. I venture to risk that it is also important to make sure that no one gets left to live among the dead. Making sure that everyone is in connection and someday able to help others grow heart warmed again.

*some material and inspired by http://bachdevelopment.com/bach17g.html