A Column on Depression

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=220 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality"><U>WMEades.com Home Page</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.counseling-waco.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.counseling-waco.com"><U>Counseling-Waco Home Page</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://wacopartnership.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://wacopartnership.org"><U>Waco Partnership for Psychological and Spiritual Care Home Page</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.c"><U>Practical Spirituality Blog</U></A></div> <div> _________________________</div> <div> <A HREF="aboutme.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me and My Work"><U>About Me and My Work</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id518.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Making an Appointment"><U>Making an Appointment</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="policies.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Policies"><U>Policies</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="cost.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cost of Counseling"><U>Cost of Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="helpfularticles.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Articles"><U>Helpful Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="directions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions to Office"><U>Directions to Office</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="booksummaries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Summaries"><U>Book Summaries</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Pastoral Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="premarriage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Premarriage Counseling"><U>Premarriage Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U>The Enneagram</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id494.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alcoholics Anon. Mtgs."><U>Alcoholics Anon. Mtgs.</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="faith.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When Faith Doesnt Work"><U>When Faith Doesn't Work</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.theravive.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theravive.com"><U><IMG SRC="83da03c0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#EEEEEE" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="15" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="664" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="626"><div> <I>Where in heaven’s name did we get the idea that if a person is spiritually mature, he or she will not get depressed?</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Newcomers to counseling often bring a certain amount of anxiety with them into the waiting room on their first visit.  A question on the information sheet for new clients sometimes creates even more anxiety: “Do you wonder if you need medication to help with the way you feel?”  Many think, “Medication?...Isn’t that for <U>really</U> sick people?”</div> <bR> <div> In short, no.</div> <bR> <div> My friend and colleague, Bob Lively, recently wrote of a desperate phone call that was recorded on his answering machine.  A woman shared the anguish and hopelessness that descended upon her as depression had tightened its grip.  Bob’s words to her and her soul-mates in pain must be repeated.  To summarize:</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="684" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="17"><div> 1.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> Depression is treatable.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="17"><div> 2.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> Depression takes varied forms, so accurate assessment by a mental health professional is important.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="17"><div> 3.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> There is no shame in taking an anti-depressant medication to treat depression just as there is no shame in taking insulin to treat diabetes</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="17"><div> 4.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> Talk therapy works, and is affordable (Many insurance plans cover the cost of treating depression.)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="17"><div> 5.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> There is nothing shameful about being depressed. Shame, in fact, only serves to make depression worse.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="17"><div> 6.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="656"><div> Depression often leads towards personal growth.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div> One other important myth that must be addressed is that of depression and faith.  Where in heaven’s name did we get the idea that if a person is spiritually mature, he or she will not get depressed?  Christian scripture is replete with “dark night of the soul” stories (I suspect that the scripture of other religious traditions is as well).  Depression seems to be a natural part of spiritual growth.  This makes great sense when you consider that to take faith seriously means to examine the deepest crevices of our souls.</div> <bR> <div> If you are depressed, then please seek help. You do not have to simply accept the loss of motivation and the feelings of hopelessness.  Medication may or may not be important for your recovery.   If you know someone who is depressed, then encourage him or her to seek help.  </div> <bR> <div> Peace,</div> <div> Wes Eades</div> <bR> <div>       </div> </td> </tr></table></body>