Dear Friends,
One of the parallels between the goals of the Kingdom and the field of Christian counseling is the effort to shine light into dark places. Perhaps no place is more in need of light than the mind and heart of someone struggling with depression. It remains one of the most prevalent reasons clients seek a counselor.
We also shine a light as we seek to educate the church and the Christian community about depression and other mental and relational issues. We hope you will find a deeper understanding and much encouragement for yourself and others.
Dr. Joe Verga
Executive Director, ACC
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Who Does Depression Hurt?
Depression is so pervasive that it has been referred to as “the common cold of psychological disorders.” By the year 2020, depression will be the second most common health problem in the world according to a PBS program entitled, “Depression: Out of the Shadows.” Read
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What Christians Should Know about Depression? An Interview with Georgia Youssef, LMFT
The words of an old familiar hymn say, “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!” But what if there is no joy? What if you are experiencing something more like “the Slough of Despond” as John Bunyan described the pit into which Pilgrim fell? Associates’ therapist, Georgia Youssef, discusses what Christians should know about depression. Read
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It is not unusual for a depressed person to see their physician for medication to relieve their symptoms. Research, however, shows that the combination of medication and counseling yields the best results for people with depression. Relying on medication alone may not bring the resolution and relief that you seek. Even if depression is the result of a chemical imbalance rather than a specific life event, counseling can help a client live more successfully with their diagnosis.
Dr. Joe Verga, Executive Director
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General Symptoms of Depression:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable, including sex.
- Decreased energy, fatigue; feeling “slowed down.”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
- Trouble sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping.
- Changes in appetite and/or weight.
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
- Restlessness or irritability.
- Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment.
Additional Symptoms Often Reported by Christians:
- Feeling prayers don’t go beyond the ceiling
- Feeling God doesn’t care about them
- Feeling God isn’t there at all
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Book
Reviews
Emotionally Free: A Prescription for Healing Body, Soul and Spirit
Grant Mullen, MD
Chosen Publishing, 2003
Explores the medical, spiritual and inner healing of aspects of depression which can be disabling and is often misdiagnosed. Using a balanced, comprehensive approach, Mullen describes how you can be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.
Unmasking Male Depression
Dr. Archibald D. Hart
Thomas Nelson, 2001
Depression is the secret pain at the core of many men’s lives, and one that largely goes undiagnosed and untreated. This book explores forms of depression and gives tools for coping and healing depression. In addition it examines the lives of Christian leaders who struggled with depression such as Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, and John Calvin.
A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Depression
Dr. Archibald D. Hart and Dr. Catherine Hart Weber
Revell, 2007
This up-to-date and comprehensive guide for women suffering from mild to moderate depression addresses types of depression, treatments, and God’s plan for wholeness. Also includes a chapter on how friends and family may be supportive. |
| United
Way - A Way to Give |
Wachovia
- A Matching Program |
United
Way of Forsyth County’s 2008 fall campaign is underway.
You may designate all or part
of your donation to
Associates in Christian Counseling.
Simply write 2062 on your United Way form—
and Associates in Christian Counseling will receive your gift!
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Employees with Wachovia have an added way to support Associates in Christian Counseling through the Matching Gifts Program.
Any gift from $25 to $1000 given to a non-profit organization will be matched by Wachovia.
Simply give your gift to Associates in Christian Counseling along with Wachovia’s matching for and we will do the rest!
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| Out and About in Our Community
Through the outreach of our Speakers Bureau, Associates’ staff members have visited or been featured during the past several months at:
1st Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem--Mom’s Lunch & Learn
First Baptist Church, Greensboro
Good News Baptist Church, Madison --Women’s Fellowship
NC Baptist Church Weekday Education Association
Redeemer School, Winston-Salem --Faculty
WSSU Women’s Health Symposium
Through our staff clinician at Surry County Christian Counseling Center:
Community Baptist Church
Copeland Baptist Church
East Surry High School
Flat Rock Elementary School
Franklin Elementary School
Gentry Middle School
Jones Elementary School
Meadowview Middle School
Pilot Mountain Middle School
Tharrington Primary School
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Thoughtful Entertainment
There’s a new movie in the theaters: Fireproof. From the creators of Facing the Giants, this film can be a great source of encouragement for those desiring to strengthen their marriages. To view a trailer, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com
If you would like help healing your own marriage, Associates’ clinicians have the training and experience to come alongside you and your partner to make a difference.
To make an appointment, call 336-896-0065, ext. 203.
©2008Associates in Christian Counseling, all rights reserved.
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| A
Thought |
| A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who
can bear?
Proverbs 18:14
The Great Sadness had draped itself around Mack’s shoulders like some invisible but almost tangibly heavy quilt. The weight of its presence dulled his eyes and stooped his shoulders. Even his efforts to shake it off were exhausting as if his arms were sewn into its bleak folds of despair and he had somehow become part of it.
The Shack,
William P. Young
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| Fast
Facts |
| Major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults or about 8% of the US population in a given year.
Approximately 80% of people experiencing depression are not currently receiving any treatment.
Depression is one of the most treatable illnesses: 80-90% find relief.
From Depression
Out of the Shadows
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