Christian counseling services offer hope for people who suffer from the blahs, the blues, and depression. If you’re experiencing any of these feelings, please seek help right away. God has a joyful plan for your life and together, with God’s grace, we can discover the life you’re meant to lead.
What Is the Difference Between Sadness and Depression?
Most people have or will experience a sense of sadness in life. This down-cast feeling might be recognized in some of these ways:
- A sense of feeling “blue” during a long winter, after a loved or friend has gone away for a while, or when there is a period of time with nothing meaningful to do.
- Sadness after the loss of a family member or friend, because of a death, a job change, or a move to a new city or state.
- Regret over a missed opportunity in which there is no “do-overs” to make a different choice.
Often the hope is that time will soothe and heal the “blahs,” and spring will come, the time of grieving will be over and a new job, new decisions, and a new city will brighten up life. But sometimes time, decisions and life changes do not help; then this may lead to and reveal depression.
Depression, however, is a very different feeling. It is an extreme of the “blues” or “blahs”. Here are some of the signs of depression:
- Physical signs such as changing sleep patterns, tiredness, and lack of energy.
- Changes in appetite, such as eating more or gaining weight, or eating less and losing weight.
- Indecisiveness and a lack of motivation may occur as people and activities (such as work, exercise and socializing) do not lead to the same level of enjoyment as before.
- Feelings of helplessness, worthless and guilt as past losses, failures and regrets may seem as a hopeless part of life forever.
- And, quite possibly, a depressed person may think about death.
Impact of Depression
The impact of depression may not be immediately noticeable, but over time, it can have a significant impact on family, friends and colleagues. They may be confused and frustrated that the depressed person seems physically and mentally absent.
Some people turn to addictive behaviors, such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, food or pornography to self-soothe and escape sadness. Poor self-care, health issues, and poor job performance may also result from depression. Some people even think of death.
God and Depression
Know that there is no shame or rejection from God if you are depressed. Many men and women in the Bible experienced depression, regrets and despair: King David, Elijah, and Peter, to name a few. All felt depression, sorrow and regret. Their sadness, along with yours, can become an invitation to receive what Jesus offered in Matthew 9: 36 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV).
Know that God knows men and women today can feel “harassed and helpless” also in life and that He wants to be their Shepherd.
Help for Depression
If you or someone close to you shows signs of depression, then please consider getting help. This office can offer confidential help in reviewing the signs of depression, taking a personal history, looking at the impact of depression, and making recommendations.
These may include counseling here, a referral to a Medical Doctor or Psychiatrist, or help with other nearby resources. So call or email me, Douglas Frey Ph.D. (952-920-2789) to begin finding help for depression.
The office is located in Eden Prairie, and is easily accessible to Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee, Minneapolis and other Western Suburbs.