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.
quadratic Formula
A strategy for responding to depression.
- Believe right
- Think right (Meditation)
- Do right (Obedience)
- Feel Right (God’s peace and contentment)
Phil 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Believing right
We have to remind ourselves who is God, what is the Gospel
Who is God,
Who am I
Who is Christ
What is my response
Strategies for Believing Right?
- Encourage them to turn to God (Express, Pray, Read Psalms of Lament, preach the gospel to themselves)
- Provide Biblical examples of depression/despair
3, Define Hope
Thinking Right
Moving from pessimism to positivity, from despair to hopefulness and gratitude. from self to service
Think right about depression: something that doesn’t come from disease or drug comes from the heart- (different people respond differently to the same event)
Think right about Sadness, grief, sorrow: It is not sinful, Jesus himself was a man of sorrows and well acquainted with grief.
Think right about Sin: It arises when our thinking goes against the word of god: Identify and repent
Think right about change: Take thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5; Hebrews 5:14) Quadratic formula (Phil. 4:8-9)
Change from hopeless thoughts (Lam 3:17-18) to thoughts of hope (Lam 3: 21-25) This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
(See also 1 Cor 10:13; Phil 4:13)
Change from thoughts of self or circumstances to thoughts of God and His truth. (EG: Isaiah 40:11-31)
Change from thoughts of self-pity to thoughts of thanksgiving. Eph 5:20 … always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
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Heart Dynamics of Depression
- Suffering is real , intense, don’t minimize it, take suicidal threats seriously
- Idolatry
- unbelief (denying to good of God’s character and promises)
- Guilt and legalism/ -Perfectionism (my standard is higher than God’s and I can’t meet it)
- Sinful fear/ worry
- Unrighteous anger
- Paralyzing grief
- Depression cycles
Taking thoughts captive
2 Cor 10:5
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Heb 5:14
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Doing Right
Choose obedience no matter how we are feeling (phil 4:9, Luke 9:23)
ADL’s (lack of discipline)
Means of grace
Service (acts of kindness for others)
Social (go to church)
Feel right
Gen 4:7 - God speaking to Cain : “if you Do what is right, will not your countenance be lifted”
Secular Goal: Feel Good
Biblical Goal: Be good.
The biblical view of Bipolar
- living in despair
- Visiting foolishness
- Driven by fear of man
- Resulting in anger
