Counseling: Depression Flashcards
What do people suffering from depression commonly believe about their depression?
That depression is an illness for which they bear no responsibility
What is the effect of conventional treatments for “depression”?
increases spiritual blindness and stalls progress towards a solution
How can journaling be helpfull?
It can help a person make the connection between what they are thinking and their feelings.
How can journaling be helpful?
It can help a person make the connection between what they are thinking and their feelings.
When we think something different than what we read in our bible, it is called …
Sin
When our thoughts deviate from scripture it is a sin
What is depression?
Powlison: “The loss of all hopes. The frustration of all desires. Agitated and razor-edged misery, not yet anesthetized and paralyzed.” - JBC Vol 18
‘Hopelessness’ and ‘suffering’ - Welch,
Biblical terms: downcast, despairing, disturbed or disquieted soul. - Psalm 42
Inescapable pain, darkness, numbness, worthlessness
What does the bible call depression?
Biblical terms: downcast, despairing, disturbed or disquieted soul. - Psalm 42
What are some of the ways in which people often describe their experience of depression?
Basically: Worthlessness, Helplessness, and Hopelessness
Trouble thinking and concentrating
It hurts to live
I am no-one
I feel nothing
I put on a front
The smile and laughter of others disturb me
I feel no peace
It’s unrelenting
I feel numb
I withdraw from activities and relationships
I feel helpless
I cant do anything productive
Difference between normal sadness and disordered sadness
Sadness is normal if it is rational: In response to loss, or difficult circumstances. (grief)
Causes of depressions
Medical: (Physical symptoms, tiredness, fatigue, etc)
- hypothyroidism
- Parkinsons
- Ms
- Brain injury
- Medication side effects
DSM description
The essential feature of a major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks in which there is either depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. along with 5 or more of the following:
- emptiness
- sadness
- fatigue
- loss of energy
- psychomotor agitation or retardation (increase or decrease activity)
- weight-loss or gain
- worthlessness
- diminished ability to think or concentrate
- excessive guilt
- insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much, not getting enough sleep)
- suicidal ideation
What is a psychiatric diagnosis
A diagnosis is made on the basis of how a person is thinking, feeling, and behaving, which is therefore descriptive more than it is diagnostic.
The DSM categories are fictive, as they don’t diagnose what is happening beyond the label, they merely describe how the person is acting or feeling.
Determined by subjective observations and not lab data
secular treatment
exercise CBT complementary therapy Medication: Anti-depressants Transcranial magnetic stimulation or Deep brain stimulation Vagus nerve stimulation Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT)
If depression is a medical issue, then why biblical counseling
Physical illnesses are related to some of the physical symptoms of depression, such as fatigue, but it cannot MAKE you think a certain way.
The biblical perspective is that depression or despair, is a spiritual issue, and as such, the word of God is sufficient. in helping us live a Godly life.
What is the difference between secular and biblical goals
The secular goal is to help the person feel better, but the biblical goal is to help the person know, trust and obey the word of God.
