Women, depression and the church
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Depression is a hard topics but as christian we need to recognize that it is rampant in our society and destigmatize it. By understanding depression and it's root causes, women can support each other in difficult time.
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Women, depression and the church
- 1. Peace River First Baptist Church present Women’s Breakfast 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing Saturday May 23rd from 8:30 am to 11 am Theme: Women, Depression and the Church Come enjoy a time of fellowship, refreshment and empowerment Interactive discussions and a powerful restoration life story
- 2. Women, Depression, and Church CamiliaThieba, MSc First Baptist Church, Peace River May 23rd, 2015
- 3. INTRODUCTION We all have experienced at time the symptoms of depression.
- 4. INTRODUCTION According to Health Canada, about 11% of men and 16% of women in Canada will experience major depression in the course of their lives. Depression affects all area of our lives: Limit your quality of life, affects relationships, career and finances Contribute to other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases and sometimes it leads to suicide. Women are much more prone to suffer from depression because of their reproductive hormones, responsibilities, social pressures or just how they responds to stress.
- 5. What do you think Is depression a: • Character flaw • Biological problem (a disease) • Spiritual problem Clinical Depression
- 6. Clinical Depression • The disease model suggests that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, a deficit in serotonin. Poor regulation of the chemical messengers in our brains can be restored with medications for the treatment of moderate to severe depression • The cognitive behavioural theory implies that depression is attributed to distorted thoughts, those who are depressed do not evaluate themselves accurately, they fear that their selves are disintegrating, they depreciate their value to others , and they believe they do not have control over their bodies. Depression is therefore relieved by bringing the distorted views more in line with reality.
- 7. Clinical Depression • It’s not that easy! Humans are intricately complex creatures. Feelings are indicators of what’s going inside of you. • Sadness or downswings in mood are normal reactions to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. • We are all at risk to experience depression • According to the National Mental Health Association, about one in every eight women will develop depression at some point during her lifetime regardless of her background or socio-economic status. Studies of religious groups, from Orthodox Jews to evangelical Christians, reveal there is no evidence that the frequency of depression varies across religious groups or between those who attend religious services and those who do not.
- 8. Types of Depression and their causes Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking. Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure.The symptoms are constant, ranging from moderate to severe and typically lasts from two to six months. Severe form can lead to suicide Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the “baby blues.”This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression due to hormonal fluctuations
- 9. Dysthmia is a type of chronic “low-grade” depression; More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood but they last a long time (at least two years). Often goes undetected. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this form of depression affects about 1% to 2% of the population, particularly women and young people. SAD seems to be triggered by more limited exposure to daylight; typically it comes on during the fall or winter months and subsides in the spring Peri-menopause and menopause –Women may be at increased risk for depression during, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate.Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well. Types of Depression and their causes
- 10. The vicious cycle Genetic predisposition (Family History) Hormonal unbalance, menopause, child birth, pregnancy Low self-esteem, stress, chronic anxiety disorder, feeling of rejection, pessimistic person, person with personality disorder, sensitive to loss, guilt, humiliation,... Loss of a love one, jobless, major life change, poverty, aging, lack of social support, divorce, single parenting, cultural, environment, social isolation...
- 11. TheTruth: FaithWorks • Research shows that the frequency of depression does not varies across religious groups or between those who attend religious services and those who do not. • Religiosity seems to have a protective effect against suicide, suggesting that Faith attenuates the severity of the depressive symptoms. Indeed, research demonstrate that in the United States, areas with higher percentages of individuals without religious affiliation have correspondingly higher suicide rates.
- 12. Self-centered Society With depression reaching epidemic proportions in North America, psychologists attribute it to two major cultural shifts that happened in the 70’s -80’s. A desire to achieve higher level of self-satisfaction and individual freedom A movement away from traditional values and memes, and allegiance to greater cause than self (God) People are having increasingly difficulties perceiving the meaning of their existence and purpose in an humanistic society;With the rise of individualism and the weakening of social fabric, we tend to be much more susceptible to the vagaries of life. The solution: A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD through CHRIST
- 13. Faith, the foundation of Inner Strength Jeremiah 17: 7-8, ''Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; Its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit'' Trusting in God and hisWord is the only way we can free our heart from the fear and anxiety of our daily lives http://ownermag.com/ingredients-define-inner-strength/
- 14. Promises of God are true and a firm foundation • Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything,..., present your requests to God. • Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. • Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. • 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. • Isaiah 30:15This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,
- 15. The Full Amor of God • The Helmet to protect your thoughts • The Breastplate to counteracted guilt • The Shield against the flaming arrows of the evil one such us fear and anxiety • The Sword, the word of God to cut though the lies of the enemy • The Belt ofTruth for Confidence • The shoes to work with zeal for Peace
- 17. Let’sTalk 1. What approach have you found most effective to support someone with depression 2. What role can we, as women in the church play in the healing process? 3. How can we be more intentional against depression?
- 18. Summary • We have learned that everyone is at risk of developing depression, whether one is a Christian or not Christian.To keep from falling into the vicious cycle of depression or overcome, besides the support of the fellowship and the church, each must draw from her strength from her spiritual, physical, and emotional self-care. • In spite of everything, circumstance independent of our will can trigger depression. We must therefore rely on the hope, brought about by our faith, our relation with Christ, believe and trust God's promises. Maintaining healthy social network with friends, family, and other Christian women is essential. We must abound in fellowship and service to one another. • Since depression is such a complex disorder, do not hesitate to consult with your doctor for appropriate treatment. Medication, psychotherapy are complementary to social support. As women let us join our efforts in the fight against depression for our family, community and nation for the Glory of God.
Editor's Notes
- We all have experienced at time the symptoms of depression. They are often inconspicuous, so people do not pay any special attention to them which is why it is not easy to diagnose depression Major depression is a clinical term used by psychiatrists to define a time period that lasts more than two months in which a person feels worthless and hopeless As believers, we are not immune to this problem but we have the solution: Christ. We are going today on a journey to explore what the bible says and be empowered for ourselves, our family, our neighbours and co-workers.
- We all have experienced at time the symptoms of depression. They are often inconspicuous, so people do not pay any special attention to them which is why it is not easy to diagnose depression Major depression is a clinical term used by psychiatrists to define a time period that lasts more than two months in which a person feels worthless and hopeless As believers, we are not immune to this problem but we have the solution: Christ. We are going today on a journey to explore what the bible says and be empowered for ourselves, our family, our neighbours and co-workers.
- ignores social environments as possible contributors to depression, viewing depressed persons as isolated individuals with a strong boundary between their bodies and everything outside. Depressed persons are reduced to broken bodies and brains that need fixing.
- We all feel 'blue' from time to time. Sadness is an important part of living. It helps us understand our inner world, communicate with others and gives richness and meaning to our lives. Where the 'normal' sadness that comes from the inevitable losses and frustrations of daily life, parts company with depression as an illness, is the severity, duration and the degree of disability that depression can cause. Depression occurs along a continuum from mild to life threatening. Some mild episodes of depression may resolve with time, aided by making important adjustment to ones daily routines, and by seeking out the support of others. However, major or clinical depression is a serious, debilitating illness that intensely affects how you feel, think, and ultimately how you behave. Depression can last for years and without treatment can cause permanent disability. It is a profoundly painful, distressing disorder that rarely can be overcome without external help. No amount of 'pulling up your sock', true grit and determination, positive self-talk, love and support will lift the dark veil of depression. It is an illness and it needs treatment. Each individual experiences depression in his or her own unique manner. However, the following signs and symptoms are commonly reported and are used in making a diagnosis of depression. Studies of religious groups, from Orthodox Jews to evangelical Christians, reveal no evidence that the frequency of depression varies across religious groups or between those who attend religious services and those who do not. So in a typical congregation of 200 adults, 50 attendees will experience depression at some point, and at least 30 are currently taking antidepressants. How do we explain these numbers? In part, they result from a two-pronged shift in cultural attitudes about depression. Groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and pharmaceutical companies have aggressively promoted the view that depression is not a character flaw but a biological problem (a disease) in need of a biological solution (a drug). The efforts to medicalize depression have helped to remove the stigma attached to it and convince the public that it's not something to hide. Consequently, depression has come out of the closet.
- Major depression Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms are constant, ranging from moderate to severe. Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder. However, there are many things you can do to support your mood and reduce the risk of recurrence. Dysthymia (recurrent, mild depression) Dysthmia is a type of chronic “low-grade” depression. More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood. The symptoms of dysthymia are not as strong as the symptoms of major depression, but they last a long time (at least two years). These chronic symptoms make it very difficult to live life to the fullest or to remember better times. Some people also experience major depressive episodes on top of dysthymia, a condition known as “double depression.” If you suffer from dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. Or you may think that your continuous low mood is “just the way you are.” However, dysthymia can be treated, even if your symptoms have gone unrecognized or untreated for years.
- Our bodies are regulated through the interaction of 4 domains. We have to remember that negative emotions are normal when trouble strikes. If we let life follow its course we can end up in a depressive cycle because of our body mechanism. We have to remember to fight against this urge and try to escape using the word of God.
- Seligman and his colleagues(1995) argue that, ''the depression rate increase by 2 major cultural shifts: A movement of achieve higher level of self satisfaction and individual freedom A movement away from an allegiance to causes greater than the self (principle, parenthood, community, nation and God). The consequence is that people have difficulty perceiving meaning in their existence and consequently become more prone to depression'' Social cultural (stress and depression, complex and interactive. Adequate social support resources needed when we are exposed to stress. Each person must have a genuine relationship with Christ because there is a vacuum in the heart of every man. If this vacuum is not filled by the presence of the Lord, there will always be an inexplicable grief. The more we are in contact with the father and son by the Holy Spirit, the more we will be in joy. That's the key. The true Christian is one who has the Spirit of Christ. In Romans 2:17 p.m. the Bible says that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Stay in the reading and meditation of the Bible, in an attitude of prayer, and to listen to God speaking to us and helps us to see things logically according to his word. God told him to continue his journey. Be thankful. Are we express gratitude to our brothers, family, to your husband when they do something to us? Maybe this is normal but is that we show our appreciation? Is that seeing the thing on this earth God created? is that we thank the Lord for these things Tell the person next to you: MANIFEST YOUR JOY IN THE LORD! You look a bit sad! We must BELIEVE according (Roman 8:28) that '' Everything contributes to the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. '' Trust in God, have faith. FAITH vs Fear / HOPE vs Despair ( Joel Ostin) In reality everything that happens to us is to shape us into the image of Jesus Christ. This is what Job did, and yet he had reason to be depressed and crying. He lost his children, his property ... and he covered with ulcers from head to foot. Despite this it keeps a good attitude despite everything, it gives glory to the Lord. God restores and gives him more than he had lost. It is vital that we believe that God can change evil into good. Do you believe it? God can use the unsaved people to bless us. You know friends, people opposed to the gospel. God makes use of us to speak to the unconverted. As the Lord met Saul on the road to Damascus, and took him to conversion. We must continue to pray that trouble us convert. The Lord can change evil into good. It challenges us in Mark 11.20, he gave us the authority on behalf of ordering things. Jesus cursed the fig tree. We have the word of faith. Develop the habit of regularly and continually Rejoice By praise and worship, and learn to pray without ceasing. We are invited to sing spiritual hymns especially to thank God at all times, continuously for everything, for good things and also during times of bad things, we must rejoice before the Lord. It acts as an advocate with the Father when we sin. We need the fullness of the SE. Especially in these difficult times. How the Apostle Paul came to stay positive? 2 Corinthians 11-12, 14. He who speaks in tongues built up himself. One is filled with love, wisdom, strength. The more we adore God in tongue, the more one becomes strong like Christ.
- 11. Social support, solidarity network in church, Let us not live for ourselves, but live for the Lord and for others. Demonstrate love, respect for those living with mental ilness, be concern, give time to listen. (2 Corinthians 5:14) You want to be happy and have a lot of joy in your life, in your heart, stop being selfish, egocentric. Forget yourself. If we did not think to yourself it would be impossible to be depressed. If we live only for the Lord and for helping others. JC said, there is more joy in giving than in receiving.