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Depression and Grief

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Much like anxiety, there are many forms and levels of depression. In this lesson, we will focus on depression as a part of the grief cycle.

Grief typically occurs when there is any type of loss.

Grief becomes grieving, which is a process. God will use the grieving process to bring ultimate healing.

Depression is a vital part of the grieving process.

Psalms 34:18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Depression goes beyond mere sadness. It is characterized by a profound sense of darkness, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Depression can be de-energizing,

Depression can be overwhelming.

Depression undermines self-will and motivation.

Do not mistake justified sadness for depression, which can be crippling and life-threatening.

Grieving can be complicated, confusing, and disorganized.

There are typically phases to grieving, but it may never go according to plan.

The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

In counseling, it is essential to determine the possible source of depression. It may be a stage of grieving, but you will not know that unless you ask the appropriate questions.

Depression, as a part of the grieving cycle, should only last for a particular time. The length of this period can vary among individuals; however, it is essential to determine if the duration of depression is too short or too long.

Some people, due to denial, may never enter the grieving process and instead retain the loss inside without adequately dealing with it for healing.

Depression is a standard part of the grieving process that we need to understand.

The grieving process can be disorganized with a mixed bag of emotions.

The depression stage of the grieving cycle is much more than just feeling sad; it can be crippling for a while.

When counseling someone with this type of depression, it's crucial to listen and validate their emotions actively.

Romans 12:15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Do not attempt to repair them; offering hope is an effective way to help.

Depression steals all hope. Provide at least a glimmer of light.

John 1:4 -5 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Help them learn to show mercy to themselves because many people suffering from depression are self-critical and condemning.

It is expected not to want to engage in everyday activities when someone is experiencing depression. It will be difficult for them to complete an assignment.

Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless and believing this will never end is common.

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

As a counselor, it is crucial to challenge these feelings gently.

Depression magnifies everything negative. In the cycle of depression, losses seem worse, problems feel insurmountable, and everything appears hopeless.

As a counselor, try to put everything in perspective, understanding that the counselee has magnified the problem and feels things are much worse than they are. (I will never make it. God hates me. That is why he allowed this to happen).

It is more important to monitor and help individuals come through the grieving process than to try to provide a quick fix for depression.

A person who is experiencing depression is ill. When someone is sick, it is understandable that they cannot function at a high level or any level.

A person who is grieving should move beyond their depression over time and reach the final stage, which is called acceptance.

Acceptance means that individuals have acknowledged and come to terms with their past pain and are now prepared to move forward with their lives. You will know the grieving process is complete when they reach this stage.

Next week, we will discuss depression that can stem from various sources, not just grieving.

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