Greetings. I trust you are doing well. I just got back from Washington DC and it's wonderful to be back in our office.
I often receive questions about depression on Xtreme Talk Live so I wanted to share this article with you today. Please share this with those who are facing depression.
By Michael R. Lyles
(Psalm 130)
At times, everybody feels sad, down, and blue. Solomon wrote of “a time to weep” and “a time to mourn” (Eccl. 3:4). The writer of Hebrews assured believers they would have times of need in their lives (Heb. 4:16).
Depression, however, is a deeper level of emotional turmoil and can affect many people in many ways. According to research, nearly one person in five will experience significant and persistent levels of depression. Significant and persistent depression causes people to miss more work than diabetes and heart disease, as well as being a major risk factor after heart attacks and strokes. Depression affects individuals, families, coworkers, and others who are in regular contact with the depressed person. Clearly, depression is a serious concern for many people. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, fear, loneliness, guilt, and anger. David wrote of his depression caused by unconfessed sin, leading to a groaning in his soul and a loss of strength (Ps. 38). God used depression as a signal to get Nehemiah’s attention to do His work (Neh. 1; 2). Job experienced financial, personal, and relational losses that led him to curse the day he was born (Job 1—3). Elijah was so depressed after a great victory that he wanted to die (1 Kin. 19:4). Many other Bible characters shared the lonely path of depression. Although environmental issues such as work, stress, family, and other relationships can add to depression, actually a number of medical factors are involved, including thyroid abnormalities, female hormone fluctuations, and diabetes. Nutritional shortages leading to B-12 or iron deficiencies can cause sadness. Patients with a recent history of stroke or heart
attack are at high risk for depression. Common prescription drugs such as antihypertensives or oral contraceptives, and recreational drugs such as alcohol and cocaine, can cause significant levels of depression. Abnormalities in the brain’s management of hormones such as serotonin and norepinephrine can also bring on overwhelming feelings of doom and gloom. Understanding the physical components that can cause depression can help to put this disorder in context and give an idea of how widespread it is. Psalm 102 provides a virtual checklist of symptoms that King David experienced during a particularly stressful period in his life. “Let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble” (102:1, 2). He wrote of feeling stricken physically and described losing meaning and purpose in his life: “My days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned like a hearth. My heart is stricken and withered like grass” (102:3, 4). He lost his appetite: “I forget to eat my bread” (102:4). He felt isolated and rejected: “I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert” (102:6). He couldn’t sleep: “I lie awake” (102:7). He had frequent crying spells: “I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping” (102:9). Serious depression can present itself in a number of ways. When the above symptoms are experienced in a dramatic, disabling fashion for weeks or months at a time, it is called “major depression.” When these symptoms are low-grade and chronic, it is called “dysthymic disorder.” Depression can also alternate in a pattern of mood swings—with a person feeling irritable and then euphoric, having insomnia, or being agitated. This is called “bipolar disorder” or “manic depressive illness.” Elijah demonstrated both healthy and unhealthy responses to depression (1 Kin. 19). After the great victory on Mount Carmel, his life was threatened and he became afraid. He focused on the situation instead of on God. During a sequence of events, he sank deeper and deeper into a depressed state. His fear became so intense that he eventually ran away, isolated himself, and prayed that he would die (1 Kin. 19:4). A summary of his behavior can be described as the HALT syndrome—a very vulnerable place for a person to be. At his most depressed state he was:Hungry—He stopped eating.Angry—He was mad at God for not caring about him.Lonely—He left his servant and traveled alone.Tired—He collapsed into sleep.Any time a person experiences an intense combination of these characteristics, he or she is becoming vulnerable to developing some form of depression. God counteracted the HALT syndrome in Elijah’s life at every level. He responded by providing food for Elijah. An angel touched Elijah, reminding him that he was not alone. Two times God encouraged Elijah to regain his strength by eating, drinking, and resting. God brought him out of the HALT syndrome, which enabled Elijah to listen and obey (1 Kin. 19:5–18). The story of Elijah reminds us of the importance of having a real and personal relationship with God. When we are depressed, we may often feel like running away from our problems like Elijah. We must avoid isolating ourselves, as tempting as that might be. We may need to be accountable to a friend, pastor, family member, or Christian therapist who can help us through the difficult times. Depressed people must be careful to stay clear of addictive behaviors, unhealthy relationships, or socially avoidant behaviors, for these will only deepen a depressed state. Though he felt hopeless, Elijah accepted God’s help. He recognized God’s voice and was strengthened and encouraged. He was then able to return to his life with a new ability to cope and a new hope for the future. Other passages to study about the issue of depression include: ã Psalms 27; 34; 40:1–3; 42; 43; 88; 143; 147:3ã Isaiah 41:10; 43:2ã Romans 8:18–39ã 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 To learn more see: The Soul Care Bible: Experiencing and Sharing Hope God’s Way This article is Copyright © 2001 by the American Association of Christian Counselors
No comments:
Post a Comment