Depression Coping with Depression.
Hope!
- Depression is the most treatable untreated major illness.
- There are many ways of getting depressed (not just sin).
- There are many avenues of help (Pray for God's answer), including what you do for yourself and including someone else in your life, maybe a counselor and/or medication.
- Scriptures: Psalm 16:9, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 119:147, Lamentations 3:26, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 13:13
Friend
- If possible, someone from outside the family.
- Someone to listen, but not too much!
- Someone for you to answer to on a Daily Action Plan.
- Someone to talk over suicide threat.
Focus
- Balance.
- God and His Word - constant and always dependable.
- Myself - honest, not denial about problem, but do not keep focus here, even though it is so easy to do so. (Remember when God did work in your life!)
- Others in need (as well as family) - Call up and don't tell the other person about your problems, but ask God to help you reach out to them while you're still dealing with your problem.
- Pray for others.
Daily Plan of Action [and move on it]
- Check in with friend.
- Beware of overkill.
- Be aware of the Level of Function for that day: 1. Poor 2. Fair 3. Good
- Be aware that even small decisions are very difficult, thus a plan is helpful (clothes, quiet time, food).
Put on the Full Armor of God - including prayer [Ephesians 6:10-20]
By Rick J. Petronella, Ph. D. - Compass Consulting & Behavioral Medicine
Signs of Depression
| Take Action - DO IT! | |||
| Sleep | • escape to bed • early a.m. waking • HATING to get up |
Ps. 127:2 'The Lord provides… while they are sleep.' | • one short nap • Get up in the morning and stay up |
| Eat | • Dry mouth • No appetite • Maybe weight loss or gain |
1 Cor. 10:31 'Whether you eat or drink… do all to the glory of God.' | • Eat enough • Eat healthy food • No sweets • No caffeine (a mood-altering drug) |
| Exercise | • Slow motion living | 1 Tim. 4:8 'Physical exercise has some value.' | • DO IT! • Walk 40 minutes, 3 times a week |
| Fun | • Loss of interest | Prov. 17:22 'A cheerful heart is good medicine.' | • Creative things • Do what used to be fun |
| Alone | • Morbid introspection • Fixed on my failures |
Mark 1:35 'Very early… Jesus went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.' | • Maintain daily quiet time with God • Emphasis on praise and intercession |
| Together | • Withdrawing from people | Hebrews 10:25 'Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another...' | • Support of group Bible study • Share need but don't expect to be the total center of the group |
By Rick J. Petronella, Ph. D. - Compass Consulting & Behavioral Medicine
Family Ministries [for those needing individual/family counseling]
Contact Marilyn Shinn @ 770.641.5602 ι or email