I recently read a most compelling article in the July/August issue of Canadian Lutheran Magazine. The article, written by Colleen Hammermaster,* addresses a very real social concern regarding the growing levels of depression in our communities. I am not talking about being "all bummed out" when something sad happens that is difficult to accept. When some form of tragedy strikes, it is normal to be sad about it, or even profoundly upset or distressed by sad news. Anything else would be strange. No, I am referring more to a state of clinical depression.
Research reveals that cases of clinical depression, which is triggered by biochemical changes in the nervous system, tends to be significantly higher in individuals from families that have relatives that also suffer from this particular ailment. That is not to say that it is limited to family heritage, nor that we are talking about a case of "bad genetics", but that a family history of clinical depression may predispose an individual to developing the symptoms of such a challenge. Clinical depression can also arise due to situational stresses. Work related difficulties, family troubles, anger turned inward, feelings of guilt, etc may also build up, causing the body's biochemistry to shift and lend itself to a significant drop in serotonin, thus begins the onset of clinical depression. It is also fairly common that a combination of both causes may exist. A person with a genetic vulnerability to depression may become overwhelmed by an event or series of events, thus triggering that biochemical or neurochemical response.
Let's take a look at four major symptoms of clinical depression, if only to identify the challenge we may face both within and outside of our congregation:
1) Sad effect: A depressed person looks sad. He or she often cries or feels like crying. He or she may look tired, discouraged, or dejected. An apparent loss of interest in personal appearance is also fairly common. One may try to hide their depression by smiling, but still the "sad, tired effect" tends to show through.
2)Negative/distorted thinking: Also called perception error. Often, a depressed person will exhibit a very introverted thought process-usually in a negative fashion. Self derogatory thoughts that suggest he or she is not good enough(inadequate) or smart enough (stupid/dumb) or attractive enough (fat/ugly) will likely be prevalent. Also, one who is depressed is like to dwell on past mistakes, past wrongs, and worry about future situations, typically projecting what bad thing will happen next. In this negative self image, one will often expect that others see them as they see themselves, somehow "less than" or not measuring up their expectations. As a result one will feel rejected or unloved. This manifests into an overwhelming sense of low self worth and insignificance or irrelevance-as if they are a nobody or do not count.
3)Physical symptoms: Actual biochemical changes in the nervous system during clinical depression. Obviously, I would think, any biochemical change is going to have physical results. Usually in clinically depressed cases, we can see a decrease in movement, insomnia or other sleeping disorders, eating disorders (overrating or food deprivation/loss of appetite,resulting in significant weight changes) , physical symptoms such gastronomical problems related to a change in eating habits are also common. Tension headaches are common as well. Often, people will believe they have some other physical ailment, or would prefer they did, in order to avoid the stigma often attached to mental or psychological conditions.
4)Anxiety: An increase in anxiety and irritability is also quite common. A clinically depressed person may tend to worry about everything, and typically expect negative outcomes and exhibit a tendency to be easily agitated.
Wow. It seems like one will have a tendency to isolate and dig themselves into hole they cannot get out of. It seems pretty hopeless, doesn't it? how does one overcome depression?
Bear in mind we are talking about a biochemical change in a person here. For some, antidepressant medications might be in order, as a part of treatment. Medication is, of course, ultimately a personal decision, and does not in anyway indicate any sort of personal weakness or a lack of faith of the person. In fact, in some cases, medication may be required to level out a persons biochemical balance in order to think clearly to work out and overcome the challenges of depression. (Cognitive, emotional, physical, and even spiritual)
What cannot be overlooked, however, is medication really only addresses the symptoms, not the root of the problem. to address the root, we need to be rightly equipped. To accomplish anything in life, one must have the right tools for the job, right? For this, one must be willing to turn around from themselves and ask for help.
- Seek the Truth as established in the Word of God.
-None of us are perfect, We all have our shortcomings, and need to remember not to be too hard on ourselves. We need to remember divine healing starts with knowing and living in the truth of Christ. Yes, we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God, but despite this, we are beloved and are born for a purpose, and so born with special and unique identities. Our sense of self worth is based on who we are in Christ, not on our deeds.
-Stop trying to do it all. The attempt to be all things to all people is an exercise in futility, and is destined towards burnout, failure, anxiety and indeed depression. Remember that as we are the body of Christ, the body has many parts which serve different functions. Some parts are better equipped for different parts of Gods' work than others. Can an eye be an ear? Can an ear be a nose? Can a nose be a mouth? Can a mouth be an eye? And that is just the face I've addressed. Imagine the diversity of the entire body! Collen Hammermaster said it well in her article "A healthy self image is seeing yourself as God sees you-no mare, no less." .
-Recognize and put to use the gifts God gave you. God has a plan, and each of fit in this plan in a specific and unique way. No one part is more important or less important than any other, despite what inside or outside influences may try to tell us. To discover your role in Gods' plan, counseling from a professional, friends or family may be required and likely prove helpful. Again, what is key here is by no means isolate.There is no shame in asking for help. We are, after all, wired to be social with one another, and called upon to help and encourage each other in our roles in God's kingdom.
-Change the way you talk to yourself. Have you ever thought about the manner in which you regard yourself? Seriously. We all make mistakes, so rather than talking down to yourself when you make a mistake, accept the error then take the steps required to correct it. We are Gods' creation, so to be constantly critical of oneself in a destructive manner is to be critical of Gods' creation, which is very much the same as criticizing God Himself. Doing this suggests God made a mistake in His creation, and such thoughts tend to alienate one from God, leaving a feeling of hopelessness and of course, depression.
-Build a sense of self worth. This is not to be confused with a sense of pride. The two are, in fact, very much polar opposites of each other. Pride focuses on the self, and makes all things about the self, and lends to living for oneself. Having a healthy sense of self worth is to appreciate what gifts God has granted one and then putting them to good use in His service.
In conclusion, what seems to be the key element here is a refocusing on the relationship we have with the Lord our God, from which all hope stems. We have a tendency to place ourselves at the centre of our existence, and then drive a wedge between ourselves and our Father in heaven. In this state, we often have a tendency to turn to other means of comfort. Be it television, gambling, sex, or drugs and alcohol or all of the above. None of these do much of any good, and likely are going to serve as another division, leaving us even more dissatisfied and feeling lonely and unloved. remember always you are loved and wanted by the Lord who created you and then even sacrificed and suffered all that you will be set free form your sin and no longer be divided from Gods' family.
Research reveals that cases of clinical depression, which is triggered by biochemical changes in the nervous system, tends to be significantly higher in individuals from families that have relatives that also suffer from this particular ailment. That is not to say that it is limited to family heritage, nor that we are talking about a case of "bad genetics", but that a family history of clinical depression may predispose an individual to developing the symptoms of such a challenge. Clinical depression can also arise due to situational stresses. Work related difficulties, family troubles, anger turned inward, feelings of guilt, etc may also build up, causing the body's biochemistry to shift and lend itself to a significant drop in serotonin, thus begins the onset of clinical depression. It is also fairly common that a combination of both causes may exist. A person with a genetic vulnerability to depression may become overwhelmed by an event or series of events, thus triggering that biochemical or neurochemical response.
Let's take a look at four major symptoms of clinical depression, if only to identify the challenge we may face both within and outside of our congregation:
1) Sad effect: A depressed person looks sad. He or she often cries or feels like crying. He or she may look tired, discouraged, or dejected. An apparent loss of interest in personal appearance is also fairly common. One may try to hide their depression by smiling, but still the "sad, tired effect" tends to show through.
2)Negative/distorted thinking: Also called perception error. Often, a depressed person will exhibit a very introverted thought process-usually in a negative fashion. Self derogatory thoughts that suggest he or she is not good enough(inadequate) or smart enough (stupid/dumb) or attractive enough (fat/ugly) will likely be prevalent. Also, one who is depressed is like to dwell on past mistakes, past wrongs, and worry about future situations, typically projecting what bad thing will happen next. In this negative self image, one will often expect that others see them as they see themselves, somehow "less than" or not measuring up their expectations. As a result one will feel rejected or unloved. This manifests into an overwhelming sense of low self worth and insignificance or irrelevance-as if they are a nobody or do not count.
3)Physical symptoms: Actual biochemical changes in the nervous system during clinical depression. Obviously, I would think, any biochemical change is going to have physical results. Usually in clinically depressed cases, we can see a decrease in movement, insomnia or other sleeping disorders, eating disorders (overrating or food deprivation/loss of appetite,resulting in significant weight changes) , physical symptoms such gastronomical problems related to a change in eating habits are also common. Tension headaches are common as well. Often, people will believe they have some other physical ailment, or would prefer they did, in order to avoid the stigma often attached to mental or psychological conditions.
4)Anxiety: An increase in anxiety and irritability is also quite common. A clinically depressed person may tend to worry about everything, and typically expect negative outcomes and exhibit a tendency to be easily agitated.
Wow. It seems like one will have a tendency to isolate and dig themselves into hole they cannot get out of. It seems pretty hopeless, doesn't it? how does one overcome depression?
Bear in mind we are talking about a biochemical change in a person here. For some, antidepressant medications might be in order, as a part of treatment. Medication is, of course, ultimately a personal decision, and does not in anyway indicate any sort of personal weakness or a lack of faith of the person. In fact, in some cases, medication may be required to level out a persons biochemical balance in order to think clearly to work out and overcome the challenges of depression. (Cognitive, emotional, physical, and even spiritual)
What cannot be overlooked, however, is medication really only addresses the symptoms, not the root of the problem. to address the root, we need to be rightly equipped. To accomplish anything in life, one must have the right tools for the job, right? For this, one must be willing to turn around from themselves and ask for help.
- Seek the Truth as established in the Word of God.
-None of us are perfect, We all have our shortcomings, and need to remember not to be too hard on ourselves. We need to remember divine healing starts with knowing and living in the truth of Christ. Yes, we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God, but despite this, we are beloved and are born for a purpose, and so born with special and unique identities. Our sense of self worth is based on who we are in Christ, not on our deeds.
-Stop trying to do it all. The attempt to be all things to all people is an exercise in futility, and is destined towards burnout, failure, anxiety and indeed depression. Remember that as we are the body of Christ, the body has many parts which serve different functions. Some parts are better equipped for different parts of Gods' work than others. Can an eye be an ear? Can an ear be a nose? Can a nose be a mouth? Can a mouth be an eye? And that is just the face I've addressed. Imagine the diversity of the entire body! Collen Hammermaster said it well in her article "A healthy self image is seeing yourself as God sees you-no mare, no less." .
-Recognize and put to use the gifts God gave you. God has a plan, and each of fit in this plan in a specific and unique way. No one part is more important or less important than any other, despite what inside or outside influences may try to tell us. To discover your role in Gods' plan, counseling from a professional, friends or family may be required and likely prove helpful. Again, what is key here is by no means isolate.There is no shame in asking for help. We are, after all, wired to be social with one another, and called upon to help and encourage each other in our roles in God's kingdom.
-Change the way you talk to yourself. Have you ever thought about the manner in which you regard yourself? Seriously. We all make mistakes, so rather than talking down to yourself when you make a mistake, accept the error then take the steps required to correct it. We are Gods' creation, so to be constantly critical of oneself in a destructive manner is to be critical of Gods' creation, which is very much the same as criticizing God Himself. Doing this suggests God made a mistake in His creation, and such thoughts tend to alienate one from God, leaving a feeling of hopelessness and of course, depression.
-Build a sense of self worth. This is not to be confused with a sense of pride. The two are, in fact, very much polar opposites of each other. Pride focuses on the self, and makes all things about the self, and lends to living for oneself. Having a healthy sense of self worth is to appreciate what gifts God has granted one and then putting them to good use in His service.
In conclusion, what seems to be the key element here is a refocusing on the relationship we have with the Lord our God, from which all hope stems. We have a tendency to place ourselves at the centre of our existence, and then drive a wedge between ourselves and our Father in heaven. In this state, we often have a tendency to turn to other means of comfort. Be it television, gambling, sex, or drugs and alcohol or all of the above. None of these do much of any good, and likely are going to serve as another division, leaving us even more dissatisfied and feeling lonely and unloved. remember always you are loved and wanted by the Lord who created you and then even sacrificed and suffered all that you will be set free form your sin and no longer be divided from Gods' family.
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