I recently saw a church billboard that read “We’re too blessed to be depressed.” These are wonderful words of wisdom for persons who are temporarily depressed because of a life situation. However, my mother suffered from clinical depression for many years that was due to a chemical imbalance. She was well educated; she had a caring husband, and while my parents were not rich, they certainly were able to provide life’s necessities. I think it’s very important for clergy to understand that depression is not always self-inflicted; sometimes it’s a biological disorder! Please respond.

I could not agree with you more. There is strong evidence that severe, “clinical,” depression is caused by changes in brain chemicals and needs treatment with antidepressants. In some people, especially those with a strong familial tendency or with bipolar disorder, depression is primarily biological. In most people, it is caused by a combination of circumstances, ways of thinking about the world and biological factors. Research has shown that when someone receives antidepressants and counseling the result is better that with one or other treatment alone. Milder depression does not usually need antidepressants.

God has indeed “blessed us” with many good things but most of us also experience sad and painful circumstances. We need to be able to grieve the losses and disappointments in life as well as enjoy the good things. For people who tend to be very pessimistic and who notice everything bad that happens, it may be very important to help them to “count their blessings.” One form of counseling called cognitive therapy specifically focuses on correcting distorted, unrealistic and all-or-nothing thinking which tends to “awfulize” and “catastrophize” when even small things go wrong.

Religion used to be thought of as immature and neurotic, especially by psychotherapists, but we now have research that demonstrates that actively religious people tend to be physically and mentally more healthy. Perhaps because it fits with how we are made!

Richard Winter, M.D. (UK)
Member, Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)
Director of Masters Degree in Counseling
Covenant Theological Seminary, St Louis, MO

While the billboard in question does not address the problem of depression caused by chemical imbalance or other medical problems. I think it does address the root of the problem for most people suffering from depression. Depression often begins with discouragement from one of life’s many problems. In fact, people suffering from clinical depression can sometimes trace the beginning of their problems to a time of discouragement or extreme stress.

The fact we are blessed in many ways does not exempt us from discouragement. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, unexpected expenses and a multitude of other problems cause discouragement. Unfortunately, in these times, we tend to dwell on the problems in our lives instead of the blessings. Too often this leads to full-blown depression.

A good exercise for anyone who is discouraged or in the early stages of depression is to take time to look away from the problem and count their blessings. Often you will find that one problem, small or large, is surrounded by many blessings.

If you are experiencing depression for any reason, you are certainly justified in seeking professional help from a physician, psychologist or minister. However, refusing to let that one problem tree keep you from seeing your great forest of blessings could be just the medicine you need.

Rev. Greg Bond
Pastor, Pacific Pentecostal Church
Pacific, MO
636-257-2477
 

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