DEPRESSION. Pt. 1

Pt. 1

I regularly listen to the internet/radio broadcast, “Night Sounds” hosted by the late Bill Pearce. Speaking of “Night Sounds” (www.nightsounds.org) our friend, Bro. Bill, has left behind multiplied hundreds of wonderful half hour broadcasts which are regularly changed and are available 24/7/365.

Today’s broadcast was titled, “Stormy Weather” and addressed the topic of Depression.

In my almost 2 ½ decades as a pastoral counselor I have met with literally thousands of men and women, boys and girls. One common feature is that of depression; one of the least understood and most pervasive of maladies.

I have often said that “it is easier to characterize the symptoms of depression than to assign it a definition.”

Following are the A,B,C’s of Depression:

A - Affect

The impact depressive symptoms have on one’s countenance; primarily the face. The coloring may be a ‘tad off.’ It is not unusual for a depressed individual to display an almost gray pallor in place of their normal skin tone and rosy cheeks. The mouth may droop into a frown. And most usual of all, and a factor which totally ‘gives it away’, the eyes. It’s all about the eyes. The twinkle is gone, and the eyes are just plain lifeless.

B - Behavior

A person experiencing depression may sleep too much, or not enough. He or she may eat too much or not enough. They may be unkempt, whereas in the past they were well groomed. They may act morose and their conversation may take on a negative tone. A severely (clinically) depressed person may speak about leaving this world, and may even begin to give away their possessions.

C - Cognition

A depressive individual’s thinking may be clouded. He or she may develop dysfunctional mindsets. He or she may exhibit confusion or forgetfulness. He or she may make increasingly bad decisions. His or her ability to comprehend a particular concept or implication may be reduced.

It is important to understand that depression is only a symptom or a multiplicity of symptoms which have a deeper causation or root; whether internal or external.

*Some of the internal causations for depression are as follows:

The imbalance of chemical or organic elements in the brain contributing to mental illness

Hormonal imbalance

Guilt and Unforgiveness

*Some of the external causations for depression are as follows:

Circumstances

Trauma

Loss

Grief

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright 1999

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