Depression

Every morning Sheila struggles to get out of bed to get her children ready for school. She dropped out of her reading group and is reluctant to leave the house, except when absolutely necessary. She complains of headaches and stomach pains and, from time to time, finds herself daydreaming of "putting herself out of her misery." Sheila is depressed.

The World Health Organization reports that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, a leading cause of disability. In the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 16 million adults were found to have one major depressive episode in 2012.

Symptoms of depression include loss of or increase in appetite or sleep; excessive fatigue; unexplained crying spells or outbursts; disinterest in activities; persistent sadness; problems concentrating; feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, and in some cases, thoughts of death or suicide. Causes of depression include physiological/biological factors, genetic predisposition, negative thinking patterns, medication side effects, and situational causes resulting from difficult life events.

Believers in Jesus are not immune to the effects of depression. Christian therapy, however can be very beneficial in alleviating depression resulting from non-biological factors. In my work, I help clients get to the root of their counterproductive thinking habits and work with them to resolve long term issues that spill over into present relationships and functioning. My clients are taught about their identity in Christ and practical ways of accessing God in challenging situations.