5. What is the main point of the section in this chapter entitled, "Putting It All Together"?
Depression affects every area of one's life: physical, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, theological and historical. Each of these areas needs to be evaluated to correctly define the problem.
6. What did you learn about depression from learning and studying these chapters?
I learned that mild depression when not dealt with according to biblical principles can lead to moderate depression and moderate depression when not dealt with according to biblical principles can lead to severe depression. I hope to learn more about how to properly address my emotions so that they do not lead to further depression.
7. Which of the Bible passages or examples used in this chapter was most interesting or meaningful to you in understanding depression?
Elijah because I can relate with so much of how his experience especially as described by Krummacher:
- distracted by doubts
- his spirit was too afflicted for common society
- he went alone
- sank down under the load of his melancholy thoughts
- thick darkness
- perplexed
- doubts and distressing thoughts
- utter despair
- full of gloomy and painful thoughts
- painful conflicts and fruitless labors
- unable any longer to bear the burden of life
- O Lord, take away my life
Describe how you were affected by your depression:
- physically--it is hard to get out of bed, to do even the most mundane tasks like washing the dishes, to exercise, to eat. The only thing that is easy to do is nap.
- emotionally--I cry for no reason and often inconsolably. I am easily angered or frustrated. I experience feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, inability to do anything right, that I let people down, despair, loneliness, etc.
- behaviorally--I withdraw from church and church activities and even from my own family. I fail to keep appointments. I can't keep up with housework or laundry or cooking, basically I'm unable to manage the home in any way.
- intellectually/cognitively--my brain becomes muddled and clouded, so that even planning basic family logistics is overwhelming. I forget things and can't focus to read anything.
- spiritually--it becomes so difficult to read my Bible and especially to pray, so difficult that I end up either praying the same thing over and over or just sob and weep before the Lord. Bible study becomes a chore rather than a joy. I feel that I have been abandoned by God and His people.
- historically--I have a habit of going through the mild-moderate-severe depression cycle to varying degrees. At times, with God's help, I may be able to resist the destructive thought patterns at the mild or moderate stage. but I have sadly experienced the severe depression many times also.
