When it comes to getting help for mental health, it’s important for the program you choose to address your recovery in a way that best suits your needs. For some individuals, Christian treatment for depression may be the most helpful. Whether or not you’re seeking Christian-based treatment, Northbound will accommodate all of your individual needs!
These days, depression is a topic that is not as taboo as it once was. People are more inclined to feel free enough to speak about it. Not only that, but there are many more of those who struggle with depression than was once believed to be. Part of this is because oftentimes, those who place their faith in the God of the Bible believe it is sinful to experience the symptoms of depression.
Those who believe that people who struggle with depression aren’t “Christian enough” could not be farther from the truth. Here at Northbound, our goal is that you receive understanding, compassion, and guidance. Your illness is very much real, and we want to validate everything you’re going through. Sometimes, if left unattended, depression can be a root cause of illnesses like substance abuse.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental illness that negatively influences the way somebody thinks and acts. This particular condition carries with it the notion that those who struggle with depression are only sad and that their circumstances are dictating their mood. Unfortunately, many assume this to be the truth.
All too often, depression is misunderstood as an emotion. But it’s much more than that; it can’t be defined as something so vague and simple as mere sadness. Depression assumes command control of those who are most vulnerable to it. Sometimes, depression can be brought on as a result of a traumatic event, but what some people don’t realize is that depression could also be caused by a chemical imbalance.
Some factors and/or causes of depression may include the following:
- Biochemistry: A chemical imbalance in the brain is a well-known cause amongst professionals of depression
- Genetics: It runs in the family. For example, if somebody’s parent struggles with depression there’s a high percentage of likelihood that they might as well.
- Personality: People who experience clinical anxiety or have low self-esteem usually are depressed as well.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to certain trauma may increase the likelihood of someone developing depression.
It is also worth mentioning that there is a rather vast difference between circumstantial grief and depression. Grief or sadness typically comes in waves, as opposed to depression, which lasts over a span of two or more weeks. Depression is more consistent than sorrow. Although they may look identical, any sort of grief overlap is not synonymous with depression itself. Rather, it is its own animal and can have a detrimental impact on somebody’s life long-term.
How Does Depression Impact People?
Some common symptoms of depression include the following:
- Consistent sorrow
- Constantly feeling worthless
- Constantly feeling guilty
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
- Lack of or increase in appetite
- Lack of concentration
- Oversleeping
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Suicidal thoughts
Depression impacts different individuals in their own unique way. But there are some things that pose as common threads amongst those who suffer from the disease. In a nutshell, depression compromises a normal routine due to the way it impacts the chemical signals in the brain. This can have a disastrous effect on the individual as well as his or her loved ones.
It is significant to note that not everybody suffers from the same exact symptoms, nor does somebody who struggles with depression have to show every symptom mentioned above. One person may only experience fatigue and a decrease in appetite. another may suffer from suicidal thoughts, over-sleeping, and a lack of concentration.
In order to diagnose a major depressive episode, the symptoms must be persistent (as mentioned before, they must last at least two weeks consistently). The frequency and intensity will vary based on how each unique individual is impacted. It’s also worth mentioning that the symptoms may vary based on what stage of depression a person is experiencing.
An estimated one in every 15 adults suffers from depression yearly. Even more frightening is the fact that one in every 6 people will experience depression at least once while they are alive. Broken down even further, there are studies that suggest that one in every three women will experience depression in their lifetime.
The scariest part of depression is that it is no respecter of convenience. In other words, depression could invade at any time it so chooses. However, having said all of this, the majority of depressive episodes begin anywhere from someone’s mid-teens to their 20s.
The Impact of Christian Depression Treatment
There’s no question that struggling with depression is difficult. The only thing that could make it harder is when people brush off the pain as something that can be prayed away. As Christians, it is important to recognize Jesus as Lord, and that through him all things are possible – even miraculous healing. However, sometimes that’s just not the way God works.
Ever since creation, humans have had a problem with regarding their ways as higher than God’s. This, as we all learned in church or elsewhere, led to the broken state that the world is in. Sometimes, being sick doesn’t mean God’s punishing someone or that the devil is out to get them. Unfortunately, it’s a side-effect of the distorted earth which was initially meant for good. To call it by name, one of these side-effects happens to be depression.
The best way to approach a Christian who deals with depression is not to lay hands on them or pray it away; it’s not even to quote scripture to them. Chances are that, if they’re seeking Christian depression treatment, they know about God already. They know the scripture and all the right words to say, but what they’re truly missing out on is validation. That being said, a lack of validation could cause individuals to suppress their feelings. This inevitably gives way to a flood of negative emotions.
At Northbound, you can rest assured that our ultimate goal is to help you reach a place of emotional stability. However, the journey needs to be handled with much more care than the destination. That being said, we will do everything in our power to be sure that you or your family member receives understanding, validation, and empowerment. The destination will take care of itself. As of now, we want to bring you comfort in knowing that there is a plan in faith-based care.
Dual Diagnosis
When someone suffers from a dual diagnosis, it means they are struggling with substance abuse and depression at the same time. If a patient suffers from both depression and addiction or substance abuse, it is imperative that both are treated. This is due to the fact that one of these cannot be treated without also treating the other; both of these conditions have the capability to be intricately intertwined.
Both of these illnesses negatively impact the brain’s processing capabilities and responses to information. Depression is often a criminal who doesn’t work alone. Often times, depression can be the direct result of a condition such as addiction or addiction can be a direct result of depression. It’s sometimes difficult to discern whether the chicken or the egg came first. In either case, dual diagnosis is no ideal scenario, but it can certainly be treated.
We Offer Faith-Based Care at Northbound
Northbound’s goal is to help those who are dealing with depression. It is important to us that you receive the best care that is available. We also want to impact your spiritual health in a positive way. Our family desires to guide patients to a place of emotional and psychological stability. We never want patients under our care to receive anything less than the treatment they deserve. The services we provide require the help of medical professionals so that those who walk through our doors recover to their full potential.
It is imperative to us that each patient struggling with depression feels validated, empowered, and understood. Part of functioning healthily in day-to-day life is being in the right mental state. However, not every person is one and the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. At Northbound, we want to treat each individual specific to their needs so that they can eventually live their lives with purpose. All in all, we are nothing short of prepared to help you strive towards a healthy emotional state, equipping you with God-honoring methods of self-care to use outside of our facilities.
No matter where they’ve been or what they’ve experienced, each person that walks through our doors deserves a life that is peaceful and joyous. Some may need help for an extensive amount of time, but regardless of how long it takes, you can rest assured that we’re going to get you there in a God-honoring way. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression and don’t know where to turn, you can trust Northbound to help you. You can contact us here, or call us at (866) 511-2458.
