Today Someone wants to share some thoughts on the debilitating illness...
DEPRESSION.
I am not in the medical profession...
I am not in the psychiatric profession...
I have never suffered from depression...
BUT
As the years have passed by, I have come in contact with this "syndrome", for want of a better word, many times.
I have been a "victim" of depression although I've never suffered from it. "How so?" You may ask.
Any family who has had a member afflicted by this condition will tell you that it causes the whole unit to suffer. It's very much like when we hurt a limb, our whole body feels the discomfort and pain.
Some parts over compensate to try to relieve the pressure the pain is causing...this is fatiguing as it is not naturally equipped for this dual functionality.
Some parts become immune to the pain in order to see to the daily functioning of the rest of the body.
Some parts have sharp outbursts of protest when a nerve touches its area causing discomfort.
Some parts come out in sympathy and mimic the disability.
All in all a very unhealthy situation...but the body copes albeit it in a dysfunctional way. Likewise with the family.
In the early stages of depression the family and patient often deny that there is anything wrong, as an unsettled spirit comes over the family.
The first reactions to depression are..."Oh pull yourself together, you've got nothing to be THAT miserable about".
As the weeks pass by, the patient descends into an uncontrollable deepening abyss of despair.
I feel even the medical profession are not 100% sure as to the cause of depression but have found a way of alleviating the symptoms through medication. I praise God that He has blessed man with the ingenuity to manufacture such drugs which so often are the starting point of healing in the depressed person's life.
-Chemical imbalances;
-Illness;
-Extremely difficult life situations;
-Nothing.
These are a few things I've heard stated as being the cause or trigger of someone's depression.
So often the family is ashamed to mention it is going through the turmoil of depression...there seems to be a stigma attached to it...they alienate themselves from others at a time when they most need support.
I share the following tips with others who are facing this crisis with a family member:
In this state they don't appreciate anything you try to do to help...
do it anyway.
They can be illogical and argumentative...
don't argue back, be understanding.
They can be despondent and heartbroken...
give comfort, don't tell the person to pull themselves together.
They can hate themselves and life...
nothing you say will convince them otherwise, just put your arms around them and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
They can be ashamed and apologetic...
tell them there is nothing to apologise for as they were there for you in times of need.
They can say that you don't understand what they are going through...
tell them you know, but nevertheless you are there for them 100%.
They can be clingy and insecure...
try to keep a 'normal routine', but be conscious to have someone available for them at all times, as they can become extremely frightened. Be sensitive to this need and make time for them.
The above are not easy to do. It can take many months for things to 'feel' right again.
You will be surprised how many families go through this.
So what do we as Christians do when faced with Depression in a member of our family?
I have been criticised for advocating medication. I feel that any counselling is useless until the afflicted person has regained a state of calmness in which he can logically discuss his feelings. Carefully controlled and monitored anti-depressants may help a person reach this stage. Sometimes a root cause or trigger for depression can be discovered and dealt with by a professional or Christian counsellor. In many instances we never discover why a person suffers from depression. If long term medication is necessary, treat it sensibly, as you would for any other illness, under the supervision of a Doctor. Try to avoid a 'roller-coaster' attitude to medication, going on and off it as your mood changes, as this so often leads to an unnecessary increase in dosage.
As Christians we must prayerfully hand the situation to God.
In the Bible we see King David experiencing the symptoms of depression.
"My soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength". (Psalm 88:3,4)
"I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly: I go mourning all the day long"..."I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart" (Psalm 38:6,7).
Like King David we must find hope in the Lord and embrace His healing.
"O Lord you have brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit" (Psalm 30:3).
"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7).
"Draw near to my soul and redeem it" (Psalm 69:18).
Pray for an upliftment in the person's spirit every day. Tell him you are praying for him. As he improves, encourage him to pray with you. Only God can deliver and heal, but He can use you as His instrument of restoration.
I feel prayer and support can help sustain long term results.
'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
(Psalm 40:1-3)
Let us Pray;
Dear Lord,
Today someone
prayerfully upholds families
going through the trials
of depression.
It is an affliction one would not
wish on one's worst enemy.
It reduces one to the lowest
emotional state imaginable.
But You, our Lord God Almighty,
Have heard the cries of your children
from the depths of their despair.
Throughout all ages, You have heard this cry.
You alone can lift them
out of this misery.
You alone can restore their spirits.
You alone can heal their hearts today.
Thank You Jesus
for Your loving kindness;
You are the Rock of ages,
Let all emotions be anchored to You.
You bring new life,
You bring new joy,
You bring contentment
to our lives once more.
Amen.
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