Understanding and Overcoming Depression
Page Five
Sometimes physical treatments other than medications are preferred or necessary. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), for example, usually responds well to treatment using bright lights. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still occasionally used when a person who is suffering severe Major Depression has not responded to counseling and at least two trials of different types of antidepressants. ECT is also sometimes a safer alternative than antidepressant medications for patients with serious medical conditions in addition to Major Depression because of the side effects or possible interaction of antidepressant medications with other medications the patient needs. Dramatic improvements in the delivery of ECT have occurred in the past few years, making ECT not only more effective than before but also with reduced side effects. You should talk with your psychiatrist about these issues in detail if he or she recommends ECT as an appropriate treatment for you or a loved one.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
If you or a loved one goes for counseling for depression, you should expect your therapist to be a sensitive listener with whom you can feel safe from judgment, criticism, anger, and pessimism. Above all else, depressed people need to feel safe and accepted just as they are. This acceptance is the opposite of the internal self-hatred that is at the root of depression.
If your depression is severe, you should expect your therapist to discuss the possibility of a medical or psychiatric referral to rule out any potential physical causes and to consider an appropriate medication. Your psychotherapist or psychiatrist should discuss the types of treatments that might be best for your particular situation. He or she should explain the treatment options that you have and help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option. In some cases, more than one treatment or treatment combination might be the best way to gain relief from serious depression.
Once counseling begins you should expect to gradually explore the sources of your depressed feelings. This includes unresolved grief, recurring patterns in relationships where your needs are not being met, harmful self-talk, or experiences that have undercut your self-esteem. You may see ways in which you try to be the peacekeeper in your family or how you end up taking the blame for too many things that go wrong. You may need to work on becoming more assertive or more expressive of your feelings. You may also learn to identify automatic, negative thoughts that make your depression worse. When disruptive family relationships are related to the depression, marriage and family therapy can be helpful.
 Depression can be effectively treated.
If you or a loved one is suffering from
depression, don't hesitate to seek out a well-
qualified professional to help you gain relief
and resolve the underlying problems.
At some point you will probably face some painful experiences and some hurt and anger over those experiences. As counseling continues you will begin to understand how your depression works, what causes it, and how you can beak the cycle of self-hatred and self-condemning thoughts.
You may also begin to sort out the difference between false guilt and true guilt or godly sorrow. As a Christian, you may also come to accept God's love and forgiveness in a much deeper way and find new hope and support in your relationships with God. Scriptural passages on God's love and forgiveness and complete acceptance of you will take on a wonderful new meaning.
In summary, depression can be effectively treated. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, don't hesitate to seek out a well-qualified professional to help you gain relief and resolve the underlying problems. God wants you to have an enjoyable meaning-filled life. Don't let depression rob you of it!
Helping a Loved One Who Is Depressed
It is painful to see a loved one suffering from debilitating depression. It can also be a helpless feeling since our efforts often seem to be of no avail. But there is much that we can do. Here are some specific steps that you can take to help a loved one suffering from Depression:
- Make sure they get into treatment as soon as you detect that they are suffering from depression.
- Help them comply with their treatment such as going to psychotherapy sessions, taking medications, and making any recommended lifestyle changes.
- Provide emotional support and encouragement. Sometimes you can take them out to an activity. Be careful not to suggest things they should do on their own because they might be too depressed to do that and will only feel worse. Instead, tell them you will come by to pick them up.
- Pray with and for them if they are willing. Treat what they tell you as confidential. Do not provide information they share with you with prayer groups or prayer chains even if the person says it is okay to do so. Too often things feel more out of control for the person when even well-intentioned individuals from prayer groups start asking them all kinds of questions. It is better to just tell the prayer group or chain that you have a silent request. God already knows what the person's needs are.
- Help them focus on passages from the Bible that provide comfort and support. Depressed Christians tend to focus on the commands or judgments of Scriptures. Instead, give them supportive, encouraging passages and passages that point out that God loves us just as we are and that Christ has already paid the penalty for all of our sins.
- Don't criticize. Individuals who are depressed are overly critical of themselves already. They do not need help identifying their faults or problems. They will only blow your criticisms out of proportion and become even more depressed.
- Don't add to their burden. Depressed individuals feel too much guilt, shame, and worthlessness. Remember how tender Jesus was with people who were aware of their sins or who felt downtrodden or oppressed. Depressed people need compassion and understanding, not shaming or blaming. Indeed, one of your greatest contributions to a friend who is depressed is to be a real friend and encourage professional help.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What should I consider when choosing a counselor?
Christian psychologists, social workers, or marriage and family therapists can be a good choice for a counselor. They often understand your beliefs, worldview, values, and background more thoroughly and more quickly than other counselors might.
 Continued on Page Six
|
