by Jan Dravecky
Proverbs 18:14 I'll never forget the doctor's words. I thought I was having heart problems coupled with the flu. The doctor had an entirely different explanation for my physical symptoms. "My dear, you are suffering from depression." "Sir, I don't mean to be rude" I said, "but I am a Christian and Christians don't get depressed. I have the hope of Jesus in my heart, that's why I do not feel depressed even though we have been through so much. How can you say it's depression?" I didn't feel depressed; I felt downright impatient with my physical symptoms. I wasn't buying his diagnosis. But the physical symptoms, the panic attacks continued to get worse. So reluctantly, I started an antidepressant out of desperation. I didn't react well to the medication. Instead, I laid in bed and felt tremendous guilt, guilt that I could not take care of my own children, guilt for going on medication instead of trusting God to conquer this thing, guilt that Dave's parents had to help out, guilt, guilt, guilt! People from church were always nearby, but they just made me feel more guilty. They would suggest that I needed to pray more and read my Bible more. Those things were fine, but I wasn't able. I couldn't concentrate well enough to read, and prayer seemed impossible. They didn't seem to realize that this wasn't just spiritual or psychological; this was physical. Back to the doctor I went, convinced he had overlooked some physical ailment. After thoroughly checking me out, he gave me a ten-question test.* · Have you cried a lot lately? · Have you had disturbances in your regular sleep patterns? · Have you lost interest and pleasure in activities you formerly enjoyed? · Have you experienced a significant loss of energy, feeling fatigued? · Do you have feelings of worthlessness? · Do you have the inability to concentrate, think, or make clear decisions? · Do you have unusual physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or severe heartburn? · Do you have persistent feelings of inappropriate guilt? · Do you have persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness and grief that overwhelms you, accompanied by waking at least two hours earlier than usual? · Do you have disturbed thinking? Are you making decisions based on beliefs that are not based on reality?" I passed with flying colors. I finally had to admit it. I was depressed. *The questions appearing here are adapted from the Mental Illness Awareness Guide, revised in 1994 by the American Psychiatric Association. I do not recall if these were the exact questions I was asked at the time, but they are similar. These are the appropriate questions one should use to determine whether someone may be suffering from depression. A person who experiences four or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks should seek professional help. Adapted from A Joy I'd Never Known by Jan Dravecky with Connie Neal, pgs 96-100.
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