 | By Donna Ince (Kingstown Church of Christ, SVG) DEPRESSION - What does this word mean or what is it associated with? Despair, sadness (with lots of crying, sometimes for an entire day and not wanting to smile), gloominess, misery, hopelessness, melancholy, dejection, etc. It is like climbing a mountain and never being able to, or thinking that you can ever reach the top. |
| SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION Symptoms of Major Depression represent a significant change from an individual's normal level of functioning. Together the symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in the individual's life and his/her ability to function. Depression symptoms can occur suddenly or in a more gradual fashion, with the severity of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. |  |
A Major Depressive Episode is defined as having five or more of the following symptoms present almost daily for the same two-week period, and represents a change from the individual's normal level of functioning. At least one of the five required symptoms must be (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
- Depressed mood experienced most of the day;
- Diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities;
- Significant change in appetite (increase or decrease) or weight (loss or gain);
- Insomnia or hypersomnia;
- Observable psychomotor agitation (feeling restless or fidgety) or retardation (feeling slowed down);
- Loss of energy or fatigue;
- Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt;
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness;
- Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
- 1 Samuel 16:14 - Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.
- Job 30:16 - Now my heart is broken. Depression haunts my days.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8 - This is case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But, then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
- Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.
| HOW SHOULD I HANDLE DEPRESSION?
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HOW DOES GOD BRING HEALING TO THOSE WHO ARE DEPRESSED?
- Psalm 10:17 - Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless, Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.
- Psalm 23:4 - Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
- Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
- Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds.
- Matthew 5:4 - God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
| CAN ANY GOOD COME OUT OF DEPRESSION?
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HOW CAN I HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPRESSED?
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 - He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
- Romans 12:15 - When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.
- Proverbs 25:20 - Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing someone’s jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound.
PROMISE FROM GOD
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
