a doctor, nurse, counsellor, psychiatrist, psychologist or health care practitioner in any way offering medical advice.
a woman who has faced the pain of depression, anxiety, bi-polar, and other mental illnesses from almost every angle—personally or through those closest to me.
My prayer is that this page is a place of resource, and source of encouragement for you!
DEPRESSION: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks about things. Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with depression cannot merely ‘pull themselves together’ and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression. ~ http://www.medicinenet.com
100 Huntley Street
Parenting Through Teen Depression
700 Club Canada
My Interview with Lauralynn Tyler Thompson
700 Club Canada
Fear & Anxiety discussion with Lorie Hartshorn
I’ve dedicated an entire page on my website for depression help because when my daughter was going through it I didn’t have much help. You might feel guilty for looking into this…You’ve probably gone to church, read your Bible, and even prayed about this…you might even quote Scripture and have verses displayed to keep you encouraged…Yet, if you still experience these symptoms, don’t feel guilty.
This doesn’t mean you don’t love God. Depression is simply a health issue, but it can affect your spiritual and emotional health too. At the core of the problem, you need to seek medical help. Finding a counsellor is one of the best ways you can help yourself.
* Inability to focus/control thinking
* You can’t keep your mind stayed on any one thing
* Feel like you’re in a fog
* Consistent feelings of sadness and/or anxiety
* Agitation, anger
* Loss of interest in activities you enjoyed
* Difficulty making decisions
* Difficulty enjoying good things
* Tiredness, lack of energy
* Sleep Issues (insomnia and/or sleeping too much)
* Persistent negative thinking
* Persistent feelings of worthlessness
* Feel numb
* Unexplained physical illnesses
* More common in women than in men
* Sometimes (only sometimes) may not want to live
* Severe depression may cause suicidal ideologies
* Hormonal changes (puberty, teen years with raging hormones, menopause, midlife for men)
* Traumatic events
* Hereditary
* Depression is the only physical health issue that has spiritual ramifications.
* Anxiety left and not helped most often turns into depression because it wears the brain out…literally.
* Depression causes many heart problems (see article).
* Over 25% of the population experiences clinical depression and seeks treatment.
How many people get it and struggle at home alone??? Depression is nothing to be embarrassed about—it’s a part of life.
Just taking medicine doesn’t fix mental health issues. We are body, soul, and spirit. Your soul is your mind, your will, and your emotions. We also need counsel to help break those neuro-pathways in our brain to create new ones.
The BEST mental health resource I can suggest . . . SEEK OUT WISE, EDUCATED, CLINICAL COUNSEL.
My friend Sarah is an overcomer and great resource in the area of mental health. Her book, online course, and blog are helping so many! If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or OCD, I can’t encourage you enough to take her online course.
Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21 Day Brain Detox helped me. She has great teaching on brain function. For Christians, this is what Romans 12:2 is talking about—transforming your mind. Medication can help you do this.
If ever you can get to hear Joanne Goodwin speak, make sure you do! She is an overcomer who helps audiences understand BiPolar Disorder with laughter! Watch her interview on 100 Huntley Street.
His stuff is WAY better than ANYTHING I say. Dr. Grant Mullen formerly ran 100 Huntley Street’s counseling clinic, Bayridge Counselling and is a medical doctor. He has one of the most balanced Christian views out there. Watch his videos—they’re easy to understand and address faith, believing for miracles and facing the truth of mental health issues.
Dr. Michelle Bengston is an amazing Christian Neuropsychologist who has come through depression herself. I know her through my involvement with Christian Women in Media.
Her blogs are a great resource for encouragement and her “Ask Dr. B” section is a very helpful read.
Another great resource with a bunch of really helpful links can be found through wristband.com. It has links to depression facts and stats, depression and anxiety, major depression among adults, what is depression? and the warning signs and symptoms of depression.
Exercise sends out endorphins to help calm you. Your brain can’t function properly without healthy food and a good night’s rest. You need 8 hours of sleep a night.