Depression is the common name for what counselors and mental health professionals refer to as depressive disorder. While everyone has moments of sadness, struggle or feeling down and out, depression goes beyond these feelings. Symptoms of depression can impact the entire body and in order to qualify as a depressive episode they need to last for more than two weeks.

Symptoms of depression can include:

– Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
– Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
– Changes in appetite
– Persistent feelings of sadness
– Feeling hopeless
– Suicidal thoughts or ideation
– Irritability
– Changes in concentration
– Loss of energy

This isn’t an exhaustive list because depression affects each individual differently. It can be common for depression to present as constant crying, but it’s also common for someone struggling with depression to feel emotionally “flat,” struggle to feel anything at all, or deal with angry outbursts. We still don’t know what causes depression, but it appears to be a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and life experience.

There might not be a clear reason you are suffering from depression. Depression can be a result of brain changes due to childhood trauma, which make your brain more susceptible to stress later in life. Certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism and some pharmaceuticals can also cause symptoms of depression, so it’s important to rule out purely physical causes.

While it is possible for people to have only one depressive episode in their life, the more common experience is to go through periods where depression relapses and remits, especially if they have not gotten effective treatment. Studies show that brain function measurably changes when a person is suffering with depression. But studies about neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to learn new patterns and “re-wire” itself – provide hope that these changes don’t have to be permanent. The brain’s ability to heal is profound, but as with a body part that is suffering, it requires consistent care and attention to recover.

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(469) 943-2631

Who deals with depression?

Twenty-one million U.S adults suffered from depression in 2020 – that’s almost ten percent of the population. In general, more women than men suffer from depression, but the symptoms also often present differently in men versus women. Women are more likely to deal with feelings of sadness, where men might struggle more with anger or loss of motivation. The stigma around mental health is lessening, but there also seems to be an increase in the number of people who are struggling, whether due to increased stress, isolation, or any other number of factors.

As Christians, we can take heart in the fact that depression is not a new human experience. Throughout the Bible we are given examples of even great heroes of the faith who struggled with moments of depression. David poured out his heart in the Psalms, declaring that he felt like God had forsaken him (Psalms 22, 43). Job wished that he had not been born when his suffering intensified (Job 3:11, 10:19) and Elijah lay down and wished to die after a period of harrowing ministry (1 Kings 19:4).

Depression, while a common human experience, is not something that anyone wants to deal with for longer than they must. Christians can have the mistaken impression that suffering from depression is a deficit of faith, but this simply isn’t true. Even the most faithful individual can struggle with depression. If this is you, there is no shame in seeking out someone who can walk with you as you find your way out of these feelings.

The “front line” treatment for depression is usually some form of counseling, or “talk therapy,” but many find the best success when they combine an antidepressant with talk therapy. This is an individual choice and something to bring up with your doctor. Because depression affects a person’s mind, body and soul, treatment for depression also needs to address all these components. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, reducing or eliminating alcohol, focusing on certain nutrients, herbal or vitamin supplements, and light therapy can be helpful.

While these interventions might be enough to help a mild depression, they are best viewed as supports to therapy in dealing with more severe depression. The approach to treatment might also depend on the circumstances surrounding the onset of depression. A depressive episode after the loss of a loved one might require that the care focus on supporting the individual while they grieve. In this scenario, a degree of depression is a normal response and with proper support and processing, and should eventually pass.

If depression has its root in unresolved trauma, then reprocessing this trauma can be an important component of treatment. Often the goals for treatment will develop as a clearer picture of an individual’s whole experience crystallizes. However, a prolonged depression with no clear cause might be a scenario where a combination of medication and counseling could provide the best results. There are almost as many approaches to treating depression as there are people who suffer from depression.

At Plano Christian Counseling, we offer a safe and nonjudgmental place to learn coping strategies and process whatever you need to in order to move forward. In instances where someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, a counselor or therapist is trained to assess for safety and make a safety plan. Having regular time set aside to deal with their depression and their feelings around it can help an individual to be better able to continue with their normal life in between sessions. In the case of depression originating from unresolved trauma, counselors have specialized training to help clients process and work through the trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the forms of counseling with the most research behind it. It focuses on giving people tools to identify and reframe negative thoughts and patterns associated with depression. From a biblical standpoint, we see this approach reflected in the instruction to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). A counselor who is willing to engage the spiritual component of negative thoughts and help you to replace them with God’s truth is one of the biggest blessings of Christian counseling. Good counseling is aligned with biblical truth and helps to usher in greater freedom.

As believers we are promised that “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). But at difficult points we might need someone else to come along beside us to help put our feet on solid ground. Counselors have the training to identify these pervasive negative thoughts and give you tools to find freedom from them. Body-mind modalities like EMDR are the most evidence-based treatment for depression due to complex trauma or PTSD, so looking for a counselor trained in these modalities is a consideration if you know this is part of your history.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 943-2631