First Aid for Your Emotional Hurts: Depression

Depression

Dr. Edward E Moody Jr.

• Publisher: Randall House
• Year: 2010
• Print ISBN: 9780892656301
• eBook ISBN: 9781614840107
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Readers will find words of comfort and hope through practical advice on surviving the difficulties they are facing, and through Scripture and examples from the Bible of those dealing with similar difficulties as well. Details of emotional and physical symptoms are shared as ways to overcome depression. Dr. Moody shares a biblical model for recovery from depression as well as gives appropriate resources available when professional help is needed by giving contact information for those resources. He speaks with a qualified voice to the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs in various situations faced in today's society. The size and price of the book make it a perfect outreach tool that will not overwhelm those who are hurting and need guidance through difficult times.

DEPRESSION

Are you struggling with depression? Depression can hinder your ability to work, worship or function well in a family. Depression results in difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep. For some, depression makes it seem like it is almost impossible to get out of bed in the morning. Depression can make you feel worthless.

Some people become depressed after a major event. Others seem to be struck unexpectedly. Some will experience depression that is almost unbearable, only to feel the complete opposite a few months later where there may be periods you can’t seem to slow down. There are even some that have felt depressed for as far back as they can remember.

If any of these situations describe you, you may suffer from depression or some other disorder. Read the checklist that follows to see if any of these statements describe what you are currently experiencing or have experienced in the last few months.

You might be depressed if you . . .

Cry often and easily

Don’t feel like doing anything fun

Have thought of hurting yourself

Have difficulty concentrating most of the time

Feel sad most of the day nearly every day

Have experienced either significant weight loss or gain

Have difficulty going to sleep or getting up

Frequently feel fatigue

Feel worthless

Have experienced pain that cannot be linked to a physical source

Have times you wish you could die

Have experienced periods where you feel like you are flying high (e. g., pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts)

If you have experienced some of these symptoms you may be suffering from a type of depression. In this booklet we will look at these problems in detail as well as how you can find help.

Myths about Depression

Depression is rare; few people suffer from it.

Successful people don’t struggle with depression.

Spiritually sound people do not suffer from depression.

Depression only impacts the individual who is depressed.

There is little that can be done for depressed people.

Could depression strike you?

Depression isn’t rare. Depression is the most serious and common mental disorder impacting people in the United States. In fact, 10% to 25% of women and 5% to 12% of men will suffer from Major Depressive Disorder at some point in their lifetime.¹

Did you know?

Martin Luther

John Bunyan

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

J. B. Phillips

Mother Teresa

Abraham Lincoln

Winston Churchill

All battled depression

Depression impacts all kinds of people, including those who have been successful. For example, it is believed President Abraham Lincoln and Prime Minister Winston Churchill both suffered from depression. Spiritual leaders like Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, J. B. Phillips and Mother Teresa are believed to have suffered from depression.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. James 5:17

In the book of James we are admonished to pray as Elijah did. Elijah is an Old Testament prophet who appeared to suffer from depression. James wrote Elijah had “a nature like ours.”

Were these Old Testament Prophets Depressed?

Jonah asked to die. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 4:3

Elijah wanted to give up. And he prayed that he might die, and said, It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers! 1 Kings 19:4b NKJV

Jeremiah wished he’d never been born. Cursed is the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed! Jeremiah 20:14

A study of the symptoms of all three of these Old Testament prophets shows they experienced symptoms that would be classified today as being depressed. All kinds of people become depressed. Christians and non-Christians can be plagued by this problem. If Jonah, Elijah and Jeremiah could experience depression then so can you.

Depression impacts more than the one who is depressed.

Some think they are the only person impacted by their depression. However, 50% of depressed people also experience chronic marital discord showing that when one is depressed it impacts the whole family.²

In fact, the research indicates that when parents are depressed the psychological health of their children is negatively impacted and, if left untreated, can result in serious adverse consequences.³ One study suggested that grandchildren of depressed grandparents were more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder. Fifty-nine percent of the children who had depressed parents and grandparents also experienced depression.⁴ The good news is both studies implied the mental health of the children improved when their parents received treatment for their depression. When you get treatment for your depression you benefit those around you.

What is Depression?

The more you know about depression the better equipped you will be to address it. Depression is not just the blues. A person who is clinically depressed or meets the criteria for a Major Depressive Episode must have at least five major symptoms of depression during the same two-week period. One of the symptoms must be depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities.⁵

Depressed mood most of the day nearly every day

If you are depressed, you are probably tired of feeling sad. There is frequent crying for no apparent reason. You might feel sad and empty. You don’t just have a bad day; you have ba...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Depression