For Depression:The Christian Perspective Part 2 click here.
Introduction
The central narrative surrounding depression involving today’s generation begins with the importance of getting help. Television advertisements along with internet campaigns on social media platforms have opened the door to allow those battling depression to feel at ease with taking the necessary first step towards counseling. Through cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy, psychological counselors can properly address the direct needs of their patients, but real therapy begins at home with family. The purpose of this posting is to focus on how family members can help one another in the home when an individual is dealing with depression. As Christians, we have a distinctly unique connection to Christ Jesus and the world which God the Father created. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to reach out to our loved ones in their time of need with the intent to assist and counsel. Ultimately, by examining the different approaches of cognitive-behavioral therapy and narrative therapy through the perspective lens of family, a practical therapeutic model can become established in homes more quickly to help people fighting depression.
The genesis of mutual respect among human beings can be directly linked to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs because the commonality of yearning for physiological safety, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization is an established absolute truth across mankind. As a matter of fact, when there is an even balance amongst these elemental life necessities a level peak of happiness is attained both intrinsically and extrinsically. In A Theory of Human Emotion Abraham Harold Maslow states, “If all the needs are unsatisfied, and the organism is then dominated by the physiological needs, all other needs may become simply non-existent or be pushed into the background” (Maslow, 2014, p. 6). In view of this, it can be stated that depression is a consuming disease that affects the inner mental and spiritual psyche of an individual while in like manner causing withdrawal from the physical state of everyday actions. To put it differently, depression attacks the true passion of an individual on the inside, and the side effects become evident outwardly due to an unbalance of mutual respect between the functioning characteristics of life which naturally drives a person towards felicitous mannerisms. The attached burdens of depression include anxiety, fear, sadness, grief, anger, and temptations of suicide. A deeper more profound examination under each of these impeding interferences reveals an entire subgenre of health issues like high blood pressure, drug usage, and a plethora of other behavioral patterns which can be attributed to a showcase of depression in an individual that can transcend into a battle lasting for decades. According to the Health Reference Series: Depression Source Book, “In 2015, 6.7 percent of adults aged 18 or older (16.1 million adults) had at least one Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the past year, and 4.3 percent of adults (10.3 million adults) had an MDE with severe impairment in the past year”(Keith Jones, 2017). Given these points, this post intends to analyze basic approaches to depression treatment, examine the impact of depression in the family with specific attention to women, and touch upon the biblical viewpoint of depression through the perspective lens of women in the family.
Approaches to Depression Treatment
To begin with, basic approaches to depression treatment include narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and resistant depression therapy. In the journal article entitled Narrative Therapy Outcomes for Women who have Experienced Domestic Violence the author Emma Bullen states, “The politics of engaging in therapy from a narrative perspective includes making visible and altering the power dynamics within the social and cultural context, as well as within the therapy room between the therapist and the person who is consulting the therapist”(Bullen, 2015). To enumerate, the central focus of the counselor utilizing narrative therapy is to establish a stimulating mental exercise which should entice, and allow the counselee to view the battles they are facing in a different light. With this in mind, it is should be noted that the previously established definition of depression being, a battle from within which impacts an individual outwardly, gives credence to narrative therapy as a solid foundation for treating a person with depression.
As an example, by peering into the miniature sociological structure of a married family, the element of communication is vital for mental stimulation and overall growth in the relationship. Essentially, in a healthy courtship, communication aids a couple in seeing differing perspectives by eliminating one-sided preconceptions. Contrastingly, when the bond of communication breaks down between a couple then, the relationship suffers because everything is placed into a vice of approximation. In short, when communicatory avenues fail, counseling can build a bridge to repair the damage. The authors Carla Alexandra Castro Cunha, Joana Spìnola, and Miguel M. Goncalves state that, “According to the narrative framework, clients seek therapeutic help due to the constricting nature of problematic self-narratives and psychotherapy should contribute to the elaboration of narrative novelties and innovative self-narratives”(Cunha, Spìnola, & Goncalves, 2013). Again, it is mentioned here that, narrative therapy intends to aid the evolution of a counselee’s perspectives to promote new healthy growth. Therefore, a sound contention can be made that, narrative therapy is the proper treatment for both men and women who are struggling with depression because of its plan of attack.
Shifting slightly, cognitive behavioral therapy is the psychiatric practice of encouraging a counselee to specifically learn and adjust from troubles such as grief and depression. According to the article entitled Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression Using Mind Over Mood: CBT Skill Use and Differential Symptom Alleviation, “Typical CBT homework assignments involve recommendations for engaging in CBT skills between sessions, and clients can self-initiate as well” (Hawley, et al., 2017). To clarify, in cognitive behavioral therapy the counselor gives designated tasks to an individual to help them cope, and break free from the shell of psychological diseases like depression. These specified mental health chores include keeping a journal to record thoughts and emotions, compiling a to-do list so an established structure is in place on a daily basis, and trying something challenging each week (example- like a new exercise) to stimulate the mind differently. The authors of the Behavioral Journal article go on to note that, “Once patients start engaging in Behavorial Activation (BA) interventions, the next stage of CBT treatment involves learning cognitive restructuring strategies that involve evaluating negative automatic thoughts”(Hawley, et al., 2017). To be clear, the second phase of cognitive-behavioral therapy requires analysis of an individual using self-reflection. Compelling evidence of this stage in practice involves combing the spiritual psyche along with the mental so that clear contemplation is obtained. These exercises are thoroughly dissected by the therapist continuously with the counselee to properly coordinate an achieved level of stabilization which leads to growth. For example, in the article Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the Treatment of Depression in Christian Patients with Medical Illness, Michelle Pearce and Harold G. Koenig state, “Christian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C-CBT) may also include memorisation of Scripture verses related to specific treatment issues, Christian contemplative prayer, and encouragement of behavioural activation based on the biblical concept of ‘‘walking by faith’’ and not by feelings”(Koenig & Pearce, 2013). In brief, the main goal of Christian counseling utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy is to promote healing in an individual through the Holy Spirit by using self-reflection and biblical study to battle mental illnesses like depression.
To demonstrate Christian cognitive behavioral therapy in play, a hypothetical scenario involving a patient struggling with depressive insecurities can show a Scriptural blueprint that a therapist may use with the counselee to generate progressive growth. For instance, first, the Christian counselor can begin by explaining to the counselee that our minds trick us into seeing what we as humans view is wrong with ourselves, but God views us differently. Second, the counselor can now use Bible verses that describe God’s steadfast caring love for us. Finally, an assigned set of readings and Bible studies can be assigned to the individual to provide a Christian worldview that reminds the counselee that God is always with us. Philippians 4:6 of the English Standard Version of the Bible reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”(Holy Bible). To close this example, the counselee now has a more solid foundation than before, and should actively be engaging in assignments while sharing results with the therapist so prevention of relapsing is fully monitored.
Last but not least, resistant depression therapy is needed when conventional methods of treatment such as pharmaceutical and therapeutic methods are shown to be nonresponsive in a patient. Dr. Michael Young mentions in the article entitled, Treatment-Resistant Depression: The Importance of Identifying and Treating Co-occurring Personality Disorders that, “Common causes of treatment resistance can include misdiagnosis of bipolar depression as unipolar depression, co-occurring substance use disorders, untreated medical conditions, cognitive impairments, trauma disorders, and co-occurring personality disorders”(Young, 2018). One key takeaway from Dr. Young’s statement here is that, since the window for resistant depression is so wide open it is of the utmost importance that the client and the counselor/physician are perfectly in sync throughout the doctor-patient relationship. To emphasize, a doctor cannot treat what they are unaware of, and a patient will not receive the help needed by withholding information. All in all, honest communication is essential from both parties because the treatment options currently available for resistant depression therapy are relatively limited to date. The authors of the article, Modeling Treatment-Resistant Depression state, “Since many animal models of depression have previously focused mainly on pharmacological validity, there has been an over emphasis on mechanisms underlying currently used drugs rather than the discovery of new targets that could benefit patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression”(Benjamin Adam Samuels, 2011). Under these circumstances, the best treatment options readily available for individuals battling depression are narrative therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. By the same token, it may be warranted that blending narrative therapy along with CBT is a necessary treatment option for patients not responding to a singular method of therapeutic intervention. Click here for the second part of this posting on battling depression which includes examining depression in the family, the biblical perspective, and bringing everything together in the conclusion.
Bibliography
Benjamin Adam Samuels, E. D. (2011, September ). Modeling treatment-resistant depression. Neuropharmacology, 61(3), 408-413. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.02.017
Bullen, E. (2015). Narrative Therapy Outcomes for Women who have Experienced Domestic Violence. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work(3), 13-26. <https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=636059237285646;res=IELIAC;type=pdf>ISSN: 1446-5019.
Cunha, C. A., Spìnola, J., & Goncalves, M. M. (2013). The Emergence of Innovative Moments in Narrative Therapy for Depression: Exploring Therapist and Client Contributions. Research in Psychotherapy, 15(2). doi:10.4081/ripppo.2012.120
Hawley, L. L., A.Padesky, C., D.Hollon, S., EnzaMancuso, M.Laposa, J., KarenBrozina, & V.Segal, Z. (2017, January ). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression Using Mind Over Mood: CBT Skill Use and Differential Symptom Alleviation. Behavior Therapy, 48(1), 29-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.09.003
Keith Jones. (2017). Statistics on Depression and Related Mental Health Disorders-Health Reference Series: Depression Source Book (4th ed.). Detriot,MI: Omnigraphics, Inc. <https://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=197+4294880215&Ntk=P_EPI&Ntt=11622214931190752371149317899760062472&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial>
Koenig, H. G., & Pearce, M. (2013). Cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in Christian patients with medical illness. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 16(7), 730-740.doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2012.718752
Maslow, A. (2014). A Theory of Human Emotion . Floyd,VA: Sublime Books . Retrieved from If all the needs are unsatisfied, and the organism is then dominated by the physiological needs, all other needs may become simply non-existent or be pushed into the background.
Young, M. (2018). Treatment-Resistant Depression. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 41(02), 249–261. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2018.01.003
