Tapestry counselors help foster greater personal integrity and healing while deepening intimacy within marriages, families, churches, and the community.
Depression Therapy
The sooner you can recognize depression,
the sooner you can get help,
make change and find relief.
Sadness, discouragement, pain and grief are common to life. As broken people living in a fallen world, we will all encounter loss, hardship, failure and disappointment. Although some may appear to skate through life more easily than others, we will all pass through moments, days and seasons of emotional malaise in this life. The dividing line between between the sadness or melancholy
commonly experienced and a clinical depression is complicated. However, it is generally defined by the severity, duration and disruptive quality of the malaise. The National Institute of Mental Health defines depression as “a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities such as sleeping, eating or working.”
Are you depressed or just having a bad day?
Common Symptoms of Depression
Some of the complexity surrounding depression stems from the varying types of depression, as well as the differing ways that depression can manifest. In the same manner that a flu might produce varying degrees of fever, digestive problems, achiness and headache from one individual to another, so depression can also express itself in varying ways.
Besides feeling sad or down, common symptoms of depression include…
angry outbursts
loss of pleasure or interest
under/over sleeping
fixating on past failures
inability to take care of oneself
irritability/frustration
lack of energy / fatigue
feelings of worthlessness
diminished concentration
indifference / apathy
Variables and Circumstances of Depression
It’s also important to understand that depression can be caused by a variety of variables and circumstances. Further, what triggers a depressive episode for one individual may have little effect on another. Most commonly, depression is a byproduct of genetics/personality, difficult life circumstances and poor coping strategies. However, for some depression may arise solely from a genetic predisposition while for others it might be wholly a byproduct of external circumstances.
A few variables and circumstances commonly associated with depression include…
genetic / generational predisposition
childhood experience
substance use
health
loss
change in season
stress
job loss / stress
empty nest
personality
trauma
rigidity/flexibility of thinking
circumstantial stress
illness
life transition
divorce / relational loss
rejection
pregnancy / postpartum
Is depression a lack of faith?
No. Depression is NOT a sign that you are lacking in faith or that you have done something wrong.
The scriptures are clear that suffering and pain is an inherent part of this life and, often, a means through which God grows us. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for someone who is struggling with depression to turn away from God, fearing they’re not worthy. Nevertheless, God is there with us and wants us to turn to Him, particularly when we are struggling. The Psalms are a great reminder of this.
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him. Psalm 40: 1-3
God didn’t promise there’d be no suffering,
but he did promise to be with us in it.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Jesus is the foundation and promises to walk with us in our burdens - to shoulder the load as we reach the limits of our own personal resources.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
If you’re feeling depressed, you’re not alone…
Although we all travel through periods of sadness, we don’t all get depressed. Recent research suggests that about 8% of Americans are suffering with depression at any point in time.
More specifically, work by the NIMH found the following prevalence rates….
10% of women and 6% of men
18% of young adults (18-25yrs)
29% of adolescent girls and 11.5% of male adolescents suffer from depression
If you recognize you’re depressed,
here’s what you can do now.
1.
Reflect on Your Coping Strategies.
What coping strategies are you turning to that may be making things worse? What are you avoiding or checking out from? Where do you turn for escape or relief from the sadness? Are you sleeping too much, drinking, smoking, using substances, over-eating, under-eating, binging TV, gambling, scrolling, gaming or shopping? A lot of the same numbing behaviors that might momentarily blunt the feelings of depression can extend or deepen the depression across time. It’s not easy, but consider what you may be doing to add to your depression.
We’ve all built some of these strategies in to our daily lives. When we’re not depressed, they can help us get through a normal day. However, when we are depressed we tend to over-use - or abuse - them. Often, the dividing line between healthy and unhealthy coping is whether we made a conscious or unconscious choice. Did we choose to watch TV or get on Amazon for a specific purpose and for a specific period of time? Or did we mindlessly and habitually turn to it without any intentionality or choice?
2.
Stay Connected with Others.
When you’re depressed, your world can get small quickly; even doing small tasks can feel monumental. It’s challenging to stay engaged with others and its easy to become isolated. Both the scriptures and research are clear that we’re not meant to do life alone. We were designed to live in community - within a network of intimate relationships. Push yourself to stay connected to others. Share your struggle with a few trusted people and be intentional about texting, calling and spending time with them. Tell them specific ways they can help. Fight to stay connected.
3.
Try Some New Coping Strategies.
walking, running, yoga, creating art, reading, audiobooks, podcasts, music, talking to a safe person, being in nature, writing, journaling, spiritual practices, deep breathing, meditation, rest
4.
Get Professional help.
Decades of psychological research has confirmed that a combination of psychotropic medications and professional therapy are effective at treating depression. But don’t wait until you’re in trouble to reach for help. Therapy can help you get ahead of things. A good therapist will not only help you find relief from depression, but help you to better understand yourself and your world in a way that builds a lasting resilience. Therapy can help you improve your relationships with others, with yourself and with God before the challenges of life overwhelm you.
Helping others with depression.
Caring for someone with Depression.
Dealing with Postpartum Depression.
Meet the Authors
Sarah Collier
MAMFT, LPC
Sarah received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has worked professionally with individuals and families for many years. Sarah has worked mostly with women and young adults and teens as they work through major life transitions, grief, identity development and pain. She is well-versed in working with anxiety and depression and its biological and environmental influences and then helping those gain a deeper understanding of themselves and walk away with more practiced tools and skills to manage in day to day life. Most importantly, Sarah holds deep value for the courage people show to open up and ask for support and the power of what a safe and therapeutic environment can offer.
Brooks Lines
MA, LPC
Brooks has been a licensed therapist for over 20 years, and much of her time practicing has been focused on women. She is burdened by the stigma that often surrounds mental struggles such as anxiety and depression. She desires to help women overcome the stigma in order to discover the proper tools needed to walk in true freedom. She has walked alongside countless women as they have developed the tools and skills needed to function and feel their best.