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Overcoming Depression: Prevention and Treatment Options, Study notes of Creative writing

Insights into the causes of depression and offers practical steps to prevent and treat it. Discover how to boost self-esteem, reduce stress, and seek professional help when needed.

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Treatment options
All forms of depression are serious if they affect
your ability to function. Careful attention to
determining the source of inner conflict, strained
emotions, and behavioral changes is critical for
addressing the development of depression and
highlighting treatment options.
There is no sure way to prevent any disorder.
People inherit tendencies toward certain disorders,
and if depression runs in your family, you are a
more likely candidate. However, there are steps
you can take that make depression less likely. The
most helpful thing to do is reduce stress.
Fortunately, factors that increase happiness also
tend to reduce stress.
Happy people tend to have:
High self-esteem. Remember that you are
created in God’s image
Optimism. Change your thinking to see
the good in situations.
Close friendships (and satisfying
relationships). You are part of the body of
Christ
Meaningful faith and work. You are a part
of God’s plan for the redemption of the
world.
Adequate sleep and exercise. Although this
practice seems unrelated, not taking care
of yourself physically can lead to
depression.
Enjoyable activities. Regularly do “fun”
things.
If these initial steps do not provide relief from the pain,
other options are available. Consider speaking with a
friend, partner, minister, professional counselor, or
psychiatrist to canvass a different perspective. In addition
to therapy options, there are medicinal treatments that
target depression with noted effectiveness.
If you need assistance in managing depression, you may
want to consult with a professional counselor in your
geographical area. Although depression is common, you
can take steps to prevent it and recover from it.
Sometimes scriptures can bring comfort during stormy
times. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace
I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do
not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”
(New International Version).
If you are in doubt about where to turn for assistance,
please feel free to call the Regent University Psychological
Services Center at (757) 226-4488.
This document is based on material developed at the
University of Florida Counseling Center and information
from Ronald Kotesky’s Missionary Brochures. With
their permission, it was revised and edited into its
present form by the staff of Regent University's
Psychological Services Center.
Brochure author: Mary Beth Covert, M.A.
Series Editor: La Trelle D. Jackson, Ph.D.
Published by: Regent University Psychological Services
Center, 1000 Regent University Dr, CRB - 188, Virginia
Beach, VA 23464
(757) 226-4488
Help
for
Depression
Regent University
Psychological Services Center
1000 Regent University Drive
Classroom Building Suite 188
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 226-4488
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Treatment optionsAll forms of depression are serious if they affectyour ability to function. Careful attention todetermining the source of inner conflict, strainedemotions, and behavioral changes is critical foraddressing the development of depression andhighlighting treatment options.There is no sure way to prevent any disorder.People inherit tendencies toward certain disorders,and if depression runs in your family, you are amore likely candidate. However, there are stepsyou can take that make depression less likely. Themost helpful thing to do is reduce stress.Fortunately, factors that increase happiness alsotend to reduce stress.Happy people tend to have:

High self-esteem. Remember that you arecreated in God’s image

Optimism. Change your thinking to seethe good in situations.

Close friendships (and satisfyingrelationships). You are part of the body ofChrist

Meaningful faith and work. You are a partof God’s plan for the redemption of theworld.

Adequate sleep and exercise. Although thispractice seems unrelated, not taking careof yourself physically can lead todepression.

Enjoyable activities. Regularly do “fun”things.

If these initial steps do not provide relief from the pain,other options are available. Consider speaking with afriend, partner, minister, professional counselor, orpsychiatrist to canvass a different perspective. In additionto therapy options, there are medicinal treatments thattarget depression with noted effectiveness.

If you need assistance in managing depression, you may

want to consult with a professional counselor in your geographical area. Although depression is common, you

can take steps to prevent it and recover from it.

Sometimes scriptures can bring comfort during stormy times. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace

I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Donot let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”

(New International Version).

If you are in doubt about where to turn for assistance, please feel free to call the Regent University Psychological

Services Center at (757) 226-4488.

This document is based on material developed at the University of Florida Counseling Center and information

from Ronald Kotesky’s Missionary Brochures. With

their permission, it was revised and edited into itspresent form by the staff of Regent University's

Psychological Services Center.

Brochure author: Mary Beth Covert, M.A.Series Editor: La Trelle D. Jackson, Ph.D.

Published by: Regent University Psychological ServicesCenter, 1000 Regent University Dr, CRB - 188, Virginia

Beach, VA 23464

Help

for

Depression^ Regent University

Psychological Services Center

1000 Regent University DriveClassroom Building Suite 188

Virginia Beach, VA

(757) 226-

Major depression is one of the most debilitating illnessesaffecting Americans today. It can affect your ability tofunction, think, and feel. More specifically, it is a moodproblem noted by pervasive sadness, disappointment,and hopelessness. The depressed person usually hasdifficulty finding pleasure in life, has feelings of intenseloneliness, and has limited energy to engage in lifeactivities. Most people have periods when they feeldiscouraged about their circumstances. However, truedepression goes deeper by lasting longer and impactingone’s whole existence.People dealing with depression often wish for a betterday, but have lost hope that it will come. They do notknow how to ‘feel’ better. Those suffering fromdepression may experience extreme mood fluctuations ora desire to withdraw from interactions with others.Frustrated with the inability to snap out of it, theybecome more discouraged. In some cases, depressioncan last for extended periods of time – months or evenyears. One way to deal with depression is to determinethe severity of the experience, understand the influencesthat prompted its onset, and securing treatment options.Christians sometimes deny that they feel depressed.Even God’s choice people thousands of years ago feltdepressed sometimes. Of course, there is no way we cango back and ask people in the Bible whether or not theyhave all of the symptoms, but let’s look at some thingsthey said about themselves.

David (king): “How long must I wrestle withmy thoughts and every day have sorrow in myheart... My life is consumed by anguish andmy years by groaning; my strength failsbecause of my affliction” (Psalm 13:2; 31:10NIV).

Job (layman): “Why did I not perish at birth,and die as I came from the womb? ….I haveno peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but onlyturmoil” (Job 3:11, 26 NIV).

Elijah (prophet): “I have had enough, Lord.Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors(1 Kings 19:4 NIV).

Jonah (missionary): “O, Lord, take away mylife, for it is better for me to die than to live”(Jonah 4:3 NIV).

Symptoms Depression can impact a person’s life in manydifferent ways. To a large degree, themanifestation of depression depends on theperson’s coping style, personality, and previouslevel of functioning. Following are somesymptoms of depression. Review the areas anddetermine how you compare with thedescriptors. Emotions:

Blunted emotional presentation orfrequent crying spells

Difficulty in finding pleasure in lifeactivities

Decreased sexual desire

Profound feelings of guilt or shame

Feelings of hopelessness orhelplessness

Cold or distant feelings toward familyor friends

Behavior:

Decreased interest in participating inactivities previously enjoyed

Diminished interest in maintainingone’s hygiene

Neglecting responsibilities

Reduced coping ability

Impaired communication with others(e.g., irritating, sarcastic)

Physical Complaints:

Lack of energy

Compulsive eating or loss of appetite

Headaches, backaches, or generalmuscle aches without a specific cause

Gastrointestinal problems (e.g.,stomach pain, nausea, change inbowel habits)

Insomnia or excessive sleeping

If you have several of these symptoms, youmay be seriously depressed. Consulting with aprofessional counselor may be helpful as youdetermine a way to handle the problem. Onestep in this process is to understand the variouscauses of depression. What causes this problem?Depression can be prompted by a variety of factors. Someepisodes of depression are situation-induced. Forexample, the death of a loved one, the loss of one’s job,or the disappointment of failed efforts can all initiate anepisode of depression. When someone can discern thesource of depression, the outlook is more favorable.Specific measures can be incorporated to deal with thepain. However, when no source is clear, the depressionmay worsen due to lack of treatment.In addition to situational factors, there are other stressorsthat prompt depression. Chemical imbalances, personalityfactors, drug and alcohol use, physical illness, andinadequate dietary practices can influence the onset ofdepression. Given that so many influences can impact