Generally depressed persons are estimated with a behavior pattern having lack of interest, lethargic and inactive. But these can differ based on the intensity or the phase of depression. There could be a number of triggering factors to depression among teens and adults. Mainly categorized as:

• Exogenous Depression (external)
• Endogenous Depression (internal)

Endogenous depression are caused by biological factors, family history, or other health factors resulting in suicidal tendencies which likely in most cases needs medical assistance. Exogenous depression on the other hand  is caused by a number of external factors due to stressful or traumatic event, loss of job, unemployment, relationship break ups, tragedy, rejection or failures, financial burden, declining health, other serious health issues, coping with new environment and people, or isolation. Both of these depression has similar or common behavioral tendencies with varying level of severity and duration. Often these behavioral patterns are left unnoticed causing to severe distress and later affects the character of an individual. In the previous blog we have discussed understanding depression among youngsters with few common disorders. Now we have come to the second section of the depression series. Some of the very common behavioral tendencies among youngsters or any depressed person we know are alcohol, drug addiction, sexual immorality, pornography or masturbation. And all of these are the behavior pattern evident in the physical body.

Depression Affecting Physical Body

During the times of anxiety or worry, we seek mental relaxation from sources that we think can provide us relief and pleasure. Such yearnings often lead into drugs, alcohol, or even pornography. None of these truly can give us any kind of relief. Probably only a temporary rest to the body and once you are awake everything is back again. 

Depression may lead to Alcohol Consumption

Although alcohol is not always consumed to overcome depression rather can be for any physical or social pleasure. Yet one of the most common tendency of a depressed person is substance abuse. Especially males depend more on alcohol consumption. As you consume more, alcohol can doze off mind and body until the hangover lasts which a person finds it to be effective relief from the problems. 

If truth be told, consuming alcohol to cope stress can cause addiction and lead into even more depression and finally lead to death. And we very evidently know of many cases from the lives of celebs to common people who were found dead in their apartments due to high alcohol consumption which would have started as a habit to cope stress or depression. Our body is the temple of God. We are accountable to God and to ourselves for every harm we do intentional or unintentional to our bodies. Alcohol can be a temporary solution never a permanent. It equally destroys our body, soul and spirit. 

Depression may lead to Pornography

Sometimes porn can act like a drug to depressed persons. Especially to those who are not habited to consume alcohol or other drugs are dragged towards pornography to sooth loneliness and other stress. This again is another dangerous tendency among youngsters in case of exogenous depression to cope loneliness, isolation, emotional stress, boredom, or simply for sexual pleasure. Too fortunately they can be addicted to pornography or habited to watch porn on a daily basis which reveals the intensity of addiction. Medical organizations or associations do not consider pornography as an addiction or mental illness neither could cause depression. In practical sense pornography can negatively affect behavioral pattern in social life and further disrupt sexual relationship in married life. In the later days it can also create feelings of guilt and worthlessness thus create depressed mind. 

Depression may lead to Masturbation

Another most alarming issue among youngsters for no doubt is masturbation. Covid-19 locked down period has witnessed a handful of death cases due to more frequent masturbation which is clearly evident as a result of isolation, inactive lifestyle, loneliness or stress. There are reports stating of a country witnessing more than hundred death cases in a year due to intense masturbation. When pornography becomes an addiction, masturbation becomes a habit acting like two sides of a coin. Health institutions states masturbation normal and healthy practice. Many do not consider masturbation as sinful.

In the Holy Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor”. 

The Holy

Bible

On the biblical base from both old and new testaments we see sexual immorality or acts of sexual pleasure sinful. Now you would question the ejaculation mechanism for single men. And the only solution you may come up would be masturbation. The same practice may go with girls to cope sexual drive.  rethink… To address this issue, let’s rethink, can poison be a cure for poisoning?  Can sin be a solution for another sin? What exactly triggers us to masturbate? Surely there is an involvement of sexual thought, fantasies about sex or exposure towards sexual content. God would never want to find a solution for us through sin. God has designed us in a way that our body responds through natural body mechanism like nocturnal emissions. Sometimes you may be lead to masturbate to release other physical tensions, stress or worries probably in connection with relationship or any kind of sexual trigger.

Final words …

Behavioral tendencies to these habits are very common in every person as the traumatic life events leads them to cause addictions. It would be challenging to stop such addictions or practice of drugs, pornography or masturbation especially during the phase of depression. But nothing is impossible when you seek the grace of God through repentance and submission. 

You no more have to be guilty when you are forgiven. Surely an antidote is the cure. 

In the next blog we would share behavior tendencies of our mind and soul.  Stay Tuned . God bless you.