Dealing With Depression
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 08 Sep 2007 in From Steve's Study ::
I sit in a hole, I cannot get out.
Too tired to climb, too frightened to shout.
The darkness engulfs me, I no longer see.
The light or the hope or the way to be free. The pain and hte heartache destroying my soul.
Is too much to bear within this black hole.
Where is the love that would lift me so high.
To heal me within so my spirit could fly?
All I need is a friend to show that they care.
Some comfort to give, a joy to share.
Dear god, if such a friend be.
Please tell them to reach in this hole for me.
This poem was written by someone wracked by the pain of depression. According to the Southern Cross Magazine (Dec 2003), “In the Western World depression is described as the ‘common cold’ of psychiatric illness. Statistics suggest that most people will experience depression, in varying degrees of severity, at least once in their lifetime.”
Yet despite the high (and increasing) rate of clinical depression in Australia, there is still a great lack of knowledge about it among Christians. Many see it as a result of sin, or lack of faith, or even an attack of the devil! Now these may contribute to depression at various times, but it is important for us to realise that depression is not a sin, it is a disease, & one that we, as Christians, can help each other through.
There are no simple answers or cures for depression, but there are some things that we can all do to help those who are depressed. Here are just a few:
- Don’t simply tell them to “cheer up”, or tell them “every cloud has a silver lining”. This can come across as a rejection of them and a trivialising of their situation.
- Do encourage them to seek professional help from a GP. Depression can be dealt with if it is faced and worked through appropriately. If it is not dealt with, it can become a permanent condition.
- Do show them that you don’t think any less of them than before. This just encourages them to hide their depression and so avoid moving towards health
- Do listen without being judgmental. Don’t be offended if they appear rude or ungrateful, or even say “heretical” things. This can be simply an outworking of their depression.
- Don’t give up on them. Believe they can and will get better. If you give up on them, they will likely give up on themselves.
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