Atleast not depressed n anxious due to a religion

I don't believe they are even related. How one truly trust their OWN stated of mind, is the key,
IF one accepts excessive guilt as their guide , then they should not be depressed, we only accept what we select to accept

I feel that thinking your gawd must have foresaken you, because just look at this mess, must be pretty disheartening. Plus you are going to be punished for not being more perfect both right now & forever.......ugh!

I feel that thinking your gawd must have foresaken you, because just look at this mess, must be pretty disheartening. Plus you are going to be punished for not being more perfect both right now & forever.......ugh!

I think my depression/anxiety will always be there.

I have always been an atheist, and have suffered Major Depression Disorder since the age of 7. I see no reason to believe that atheism reduces depression.

Only dictators I'll handle are the royal family (to a point) because of Australias still technically being under a monarchy government. I can't sing in churches, I can't yell stuff I don't believe. I'll tell my family my lack of religious belief eventually. When I was religious I was often upset. Other than the stress of sidestepping religion atheism has given me more curiosity than ever and a weird sense of identifying with myself. Other than meeting people usually much older than me and talking to them which I enjoy religion never gave me much comfort. I wasn't fearful or anything I've been to churches all over Australia (parents did shows) and noticed the behaviour of the different denominations which was mildly entertaining but sometimes also sad...
It is much easier being non-religious than religious. I'm still stressed but for unrelated reasons.

Hmmm. I think life is life, plain and simple, but I sort of feel like living in the real world has made me stronger because I can deal with the harder aspects of life without the need of fairy tales and a belief someone is going to come and rescue me. When I somewhat believed, I felt more let down by a thing I thought should have been caring about me because I kept seeing all this messed up stuff happening to people. If it makes since, I actually found more comfort as an unbeliever because then I accepted that horrible things just happens in life sometime without any reason, instead of me just waiting for this sky daddy to rescue so many people in need.

Been here in this side of the river for so long... maybe half a century. All diagnosis been on this side and maybe I handled everything better because of it.

More.

I have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. I have been an atheist for 3 years now but I have been financially dependent on my family through this time. My anxiety has not changed, it has worsened. Depression also. I finally have a job that I can make enough money to move away from them. Damnit I hope it works out because being the only atheist in a fundamentalist christian household is hard as shit. I feel my anxiety and depression will ease up when I move out but there's no way to know for sure. Anxiety sucks so much, I hate it!

Bit of an impossible question really, esp as it involves time, to a degree. Things happen in individuals lives at different times. Depression certainly is linked to age. And yes I think if I was totally wrapped up in a shared religious thing I might be more happy ( ignorance is bliss springs to mind), but Im not about to go join a happy church to improve my mental health. I guess if it works for you (one) then great.
I am reminded by the anecdotal story that Driving insurance can be lower for women because of the statistics. Which is what insurers deal with. But also that the statistically worst section of societies drivers are actually nuns . . . . . . Draw your own conclusions there. ciao4now Andy

I'm both, but neither are due to my being a non-believer. I was diagnosed with ADD in the 2nd grade (and I still have it) and I also have dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) and I have anxiety as well.

I still suffer from depression. It's not as bad as it used to be 2 years ago. I'm still sad I'm alone. I found out yesterday, my aunt's stage 4 Melanoma cancer has now spread throughout her head. It's rapidly spreading. I think the radiation isn't helping. Soon it will reach her brain. My mom died of cancer too. (My aunt's sister) My aunt is the only family member in CO that cares about me. My uncle might move to AZ if she dies. I'm depressed. I won't move to AZ.