Over Coming Depression

Depression

Depression takes many forms ranging from serious chronic depression which never really goes away, requiring professional help with a combination of medication and counseling, to less severe transient feelings of sadness. You may have gone through a life event which leads to depression, such as the death of a loved one where you know why you are upset and need time to heal.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression there is help and hope. The ways you can over come depression include:

Medical treatment

If you have ongoing depression that just won’t go away, you should talk to your medical doctor about it. You may want to ask for a referral to a psychiatrist and a mental health professional. In my practice I have seen people come out of persistent depression with a combination of the right medication and counseling.

Counseling

However, many people prefer not to take medication or have not responded to it in the past. I have seen them benefit from what is called cognitive behavioral therapy. With the help of a counselor they can examine how they view the world, how they think and how they behave. A counselor can help you examine the sources of your depression.

I often see depression and anger as two sides of the same coin. When you are angry about things in your life, but cannot find ways to release the anger it creates an emotional wound which festers and becomes depression. I help my clients examine these feelings and help them determine a course of action. For example, are you angry with a loved one, but afraid to express it? When you do express it to them does nothing happen? Are you afraid it will make things worse if you do talk about what is making you angry? Are you still angry about things that happened to you in the past?

As we examine the answer to these and similar questions we can come up with a course for action. May be becoming more assertive and learning to speak up will help. In some cases you may need to get away from the person or situation causing the anger. May be accepting things won’t change can help. May be learning how to let go can help.

Some times depression comes when we have major changes and/or upsets in our lives. The death of a loved one, for example, is often a trigger for depression. Sometimes depression is an unexpected reaction to what would seem to be a good thing like graduating from school or having a baby. If these feelings of depression linger and begin to interfere with your life you may want to talk with a counselor to help you examine what it behind your feelings of depression.

Self-help

Some times we can get over depression on our own. We can ask ourselves some of the questions above. We can find friends and family we can talk with and gain support from. Learning self care things you can do such as getting regular exercise, meditation, getting enough rest, journaling, etc. Helping others can give you a boost.

Faith based help

I strongly believe we can turn to God to help us in times of depression. Taking the time to pray and listen to God can help you find strength to face you depression.

Spending time reading and meditating on the Bible reminds you of God’s promises to us.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:5-7 (in Context) Deuteronomy 31 (Whole Chapter)

Psalms 73: 26

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

The Bible tells us how we should think and act: Titus 3:8

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

These are just a few passages to meditate on when you are feeling depressed.

Here is a link to an on line Bible site:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Which way is best?

I find various combinations of these approaches are helpful for most people. I suggest you try working on your depression on your own for a while if it is not to bad. However, if it is persistent or you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others get professional help right away!

The most important thing to remember is you can fight depression. By taking these small steps you can begin to feel better about life. Please feel free to email me with your questions and comments.


Mark Smith

msmith.lpc@gmail.com