Because the October/November issue of ChristianDiscipleship.com is on the topic of hope, in Wisdom Watch this month I thought it would be helpful to provide our readers with some clinical information on the antithesis of hope-depression.

DEPRESSION DEFINED
Depression, like most mental illness runs the continuum of severity. It can be mild or major. It can last from weeks to months and it can involve anxiety symptoms as well. Depression is primarily characterized by sadness and/or loss of pleasure in nearly all activities. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and psychomotor activity (changes in both mental and physical responsiveness and/or activity). A person may struggle with feelings of low self worth, recurrent thoughts of wishing they were dead, as well as difficulty concentrating or making decisions. In children and adolescents the mood is often manifested as irritability rather than sadness. Also, some people may deny having feelings of sadness and rather report that they have no feelings at all. They may describe themselves as feeling "numb".

TAKING ACTION
First, it is important to look at the severity of impairment of a person's functioning due to the mood disorder. If their level of functioning has been significantly impaired, i.e. they are having difficulty performing their daily routine, seek professional help immediately. A trip to the family doctor to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing the mood disorder would be a good place to start. Also, one should consider any significant changes in circumstances, relationships etc. that may be contributing to the depression.

Secondly, since the primary feature of depression is feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of wanting to die are not an uncommon accompaniment to these emotions. However, a plan or intent to harm oneself is very different than fleeting thoughts of feeling that one would be better off dead. If the person indicates they have a plan or strong intentions to harm themselves take action immediately to get professional help. Call a mental health professional that you have been referred to by a reliable source, check your phone book for community mental health services, or call a suicide prevention hotline. In Brevard County, Florida that number is 211 or 321-632-6688. Also, Circles of Care in Melbourne provides emergency services and evaluations. Their number is 722-5257. If the threat is imminent, call 911.

GET HELP
If you or a loved one is suffering from the pain of depression please seek help. Don't wait until your level of functioning is severely impaired. One of the biggest reasons people do not seek help is because of the shame they feel concerning the idea of having a mental illness. The reality is that our minds are vulnerable to illness just like our bodies. There is no shame in developing the flu or some other medical condition, so why is there with the mind? Those who avoid seeking help because of the shame they feel only languish longer like the cripple at the pool of Bethesda. He needed help, but he was unwilling to accept any personal responsibility for helping himself.

HOW COUNSELING CAN HELP
A counselor can help a person gain perspective about their illness, resolve problems that may be contributing to the depression and assist the person in developing some coping skills to manage the illness and those things that may be contributing factors. However, in addition to counseling, depending on the severity of the depression, medication may also be a treatment option. You can discuss this with your counselor, who could then refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe and manage the necessary medication.

Relief is available for difficulties that plague our minds. It is truly the wise that seek out the help, wisdom and counsel of those whom God has equipped to facilitate the healing of the mind.

Copyright © 2001 Jean and Alan LeStourgeon