The Power to Say Yes

I am Accepted: Ephesians 1:5 – I have been adopted as God’s child.

I am Accepted: Esphesians 1:1 – I am a saint.

I am Accepted: Ephesians 1:1 – I am a saint.

I am Accepted:

1 Corinthians 12:27 – I am a member of Christ’s body. His hands and feet.

I am Accepted: 1 Corinthians 6:20 – I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.

Who We Are in Christ

I am Accepted: 1 Corinthians 6:17 – I am united with the Lord, and I am one in spirit with Him.

I am Accepted: Romans 5:1 – I have been justified.

Who We Are in Christ

I am Accepted: John 1:12 I am God’s child.

Depression is not a curse or a punishment, and it is definitely not something you can just “get over.”  The condition can have grave consequences if not treated.  If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with depression, your love and support may make all the difference in whether they get well, or not.

We tend to keep unpleasant news to ourselves. Diagnosis of an illness falls in that category. Do we think that we can handle our illness by ourselves or are we ashamed to the point of silence?

Depression is a misunderstood condition. It is not a made-up disease but a true illness that is caused by chemical imbalances in our brain that affect how we think and act. Family and friends are often confused by our change of behavior, sometimes misinterpreting it as just a bad day or thoughtless word.

When the diagnosis of depression is made, others begin to understand that it is much more than they thought, but now what?  How are family and friends supposed to act?  How do you keep from saying the wrong thing when talking to your loved one about depression? Here are a few tips.

1. Listen to them. A listening ear will hear and learn. Allow the person to discuss their illness and to share any information that they received from the doctor. You will learn about treatment options as well as give your loved one some much needed support.
2. Ask what you can do. If you don’t know what to do, ask. Volunteering to do one thing or another without consulting the person that you are helping is not a good plan as you may be doing something entirely wrong. They know what they need and if you offer an open invitation, they may feel free enough to tell you.
3. Attend a therapy session or group meeting with them. Group meetings are important for depression sufferers because it lets them know that they are not alone. Seeing others in the same situation makes them understand that they are not bad, or stupid, or crazy. Attending a family therapy session or meeting with them gives you the chance to ask questions of the therapist and learn how you can be of further help.
4. Don’t judge. At one time, depression was thought to be the result of a weak mind or body. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Depression isn’t something that you think up in your head. It is most likely a combination of circumstances and traumas. Questioning the person’s duplicity in their illness can make that person feel like they are being interrogated and blamed for their disorder.
5. Pay attention.  Being careful what you say to a depressed person is only part of the story.  Being alert to details of what is being said to you is just as important. Knowing the side effects of medication and the signs and symptoms of depression can help you discern when your loved one is in danger. Talk of suicide is a possible side effect of some antidepressants but it is also a valid reason to contact a doctor for immediate intervention.

Finding out you have depression can be alarming. As a friend or family member, being available to that person both emotionally and physically can improve their chances of recovery and a better life.

Medication is not the only way to treat depression. For those who have conditions that prevent the use of antidepressants, or for those who decide with their doctor that antidepressants are not a viable treatment, there are alternative resources available.

Just like other disorders, early detection leads to better and easier treatment. Prolonged depressive symptoms that go untreated will result in a more difficult recovery. The longer you put off treatment, the harder it is to control and treat certain types of depression.  These treatments, when begun early, may be so effective that medication need not be considered at all.  Let’s take a look at these non-medicated treatments.

• ●      Psychotherapy – Many people begin their treatment with this option. A trained therapist will meet with you on a regularly scheduled time and in a relaxed setting. Talking can reveal many things about your depression. A therapist will be able to determine triggering events that may have led to your depression. They can also use behavior therapy to help you solve problems in a healthy way, alleviating risk factors that may have led to the depression.
• ●      Herbal Treatments – In addition to talk therapy and behavior therapy, herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help to increase your overall wellbeing and ability to cope with life. A well-known herbal antidepressant is St. Johns Wort. However, be careful with herbal treatments. Many interact with more traditional medications and can inactivate them or cause serious side effects. Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal treatment, even the “all natural” kind.
• ●      Acupuncture – This is a therapy that has proven helpful for people with many conditions, including depression. Acupuncture needles are regulated and monitored by the FDA. Sterile needles are used to restore the energy flow or chi within the body believed to lead to restored health. Acupuncture may help with the accompanying symptoms of depression as well as the depression itself; symptoms like headaches, body pains, and sleeplessness.
• ●      Diet and Exercise – While foods have not been linked to a risk of depression, an unhealthy diet can reduce your body’s ability to cope with stressors. Exercise is known to lead to the release of hormones called endorphins. These are “feel good” substances in the body that improve mood and clarity of thought.  Just getting out and taking a walk will naturally make you feel better, physically and emotionally.
• ●      Shock Therapy – This method of treatment may conjure up images of a scary sanitarium  but it is not what you think. Electroconvulsive therapy has been used as an alternative for people who can’t be helped by medication. Those who are suicidal are often asked to consider this form of treatment. Trained medical personnel introduce electrical impulses that induce seizures in the brain. The treatment is used to adjust levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

It’s good to know that medication is not the only treatment for depressive symptoms. You have alternatives.  If you do not want to take medication, or you are unable to take medication to treat your depression, these alternatives may be just the answer.