The Blues, the Blahs, or Something More...

National Depression Screening Day is held each October during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Although you won’t find it referenced on your calendar, it is estimated that more than 19 million American adults suffer from clinical depression each year. ACC therapist, Dodie Caudill, helps us understand some of the things we should know about this illness. Read more

Know the Signs

The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of pleasure and interest in once-enjoyable activities, including sex
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders
• Difficulty concentrating at work or at school, or difficulty remembering things or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thoughts of suicide or death

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you could have clinical depression. See a doctor or qualified mental health professional for help.

Dealing with Stress - Surviving Sudden Loss

In recent weeks, our TV screens and newspapers have been filled with images of destruction from along the Gulf Coast from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, remembrances of the September 11th terrorist attacks, and closer to home, damage along the NC coast from Hurricane Ophelia.

It’s normal to have difficulty managing feelings after major tragedies. Because everyone experiences stress differently, don’t compare yourself with others around you or judge other people’s reactions and emotions. Here are some tips for coping with stress:

• Talk about it
• Spend time with friends and family
• Take care of yourself
• Take one thing at a time
• If you can, help
• Avoid drugs and excessive drinking
• Ask for help if you need it

For more information or information specific to the needs of children, visit the National Mental Health Association at www.nmha.org/reasurrance or American Association of Christian Counselors at www.aacc.net and click on “Project Care.”

Why I Serve - Bob McHone

Bob McHone joined ACC’s Board of Directors in 2002 after serving on the Advisory Council. “I first heard about Associates in Christian Counseling 5 or 6 years ago,” he shared. “I was having lunch with a friend, Bill Brown, who was serving on the Board at that time.” Read more

Book Reviews

Emotionally Free: A Prescription for Healing Body, Soul, and Spirit
Grant Mullen
Baker Publishing Group, 2003
Explores the medical, spiritual, and inner healing aspects of this disabling and often misdiagnosed condition.

New Light on Depression: Help, Hope and Answers for the Depressed
And Those Who Love Them
David B. Biebel, D. Min. & Harold G. Koenig, MD
Zondervan, 2003
Written for those who suffer from depression or those who want to help. Covers the full range of concerns, includes questions for reflection, and evaluation guides.

Unmasking Male Depression
Archibald D. Hart
Thomas Nelson, 2001.
Explores forms of depression, gives tools for coping with and healing depression, and examines the lives of Christian leaders who struggled with depression such as Charles Spurgeon and Martin Luther.

Unveiling Depression in Women
Archibald D. Hart & Catherine Hart Weber
Fleming H. Revell Co., 2002.
Describes the symptoms, causes, and remedies of depression which will impact nearly every woman at some point in her life. This proactive, holistic approach to counseling, health care, and faith provides hope and encouragement.