Education

2. In This Series
What is Our Theme Text?
“Beloved, I pray that you
may prosper in all things
and be in health, just as
your soul prospers.”
3 John 2.

3. What is Depression?
Major Depression is a
mental illness that causes
persistent feelings of
sadness, and the loss of
pleasure in activities that
are normally enjoyable.

4. Depression is often triggered
by terrible life experiences like
loss, grief, divorce, domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and
military combat.

5. To understand depression, let’s peep
into the human brain.

6. The brain
has 100
billion brain
cells.
They are
called
neurons.

7. Neurons and Synapses
Between
these
neurons
there are
structures
called
synapses.
→

8. Neurons communicate with each other
across these synapses.

9. 50024391
A deficiency in the functioning of these
transmitters causes an imbalance.

10. This imbalance produces changes in
mood, and results in depression.

11. What are
some of the
symptoms
of
depression?

12. • Sleep problems –
insomnia or excessive
sleep.
• Perpetual,
overwhelming feelings
of sadness.
• Feelings of
worthlessness.
Danger
Signs!

13. • Difficulty
concentrating and
making decisions.
• Feelings of
helplessness, and
hopelessness.
Danger
Signs!

14. It seems
that there is
no way out!
And that
there never
will be!

15. It can make its victim
think that
▪ God doesn’t care.
▪ Life isn’t worth living.
▪ Suicide is a good way
out!

16. How will we
deal
depression?
There are
Five
Strategies.

17. Get Enough
Sleep.
Strategy

18. Your body has a “biological clock”
which regulates sleeping and
waking.

19. Frequent interruption
of this rhythm can cause
sleep disorders and depression.
Circadian Rhythm!

20. God wants to give you
sleep!
“I will both lay down in
peace, and sleep.”
Psalm 4:8

21. Eat Brain
Foods.
Strategy

22. What are
brain foods?
These are
foods that
have
tryptophan or
Omega-3

23. They
energize
the brain
and help us
to combat
depression.

24. Foods rich in
tryptophan
are tofu, flax
seeds,
sesame
seeds,
almond and
walnuts.

25. We can
get
Omega-3,
from some
fish like
mackerel
and
salmon.

26. We can
also get
Omega-3
from
flaxseed,
wheat
germ, and
soybeans.

27. Do
Whole Body
Exercise
Strategy

28. Whole Body Exercise can help
us beat depression. How?

29. Aerobic exercise increases the
levels of serotonin in the
brain, and this combats
depression.
Exercise also helps the body to
release chemicals called
endorphins.

30. Endorphins cause us to feel good
and help to combat depression.

31. Take Cognitive
Behavior
Therapy
Strategy

32. One of the
most serious
causes of
depression is
distorted
thinking.

33. Changing
My
Thoughts
will Change
My
Behavior!

34. So if
needed,
use the
services of a
Christian
therapist.

35. The Great
Physician
was doing
Cognitive
Behavior
Therapy.

36. Listen to the
Voice of
God!
Strategy

37. God’s Word Can Lift
Depression!
“Your words were found, and I
ate them, and Your word was
to me the joy and rejoicing of
my heart”
Jeremiah 15:16

38. Persons with
chronic
depression
need
medication!
Attention!

39. However, the
more we use
God’s
5-point plan,
the less
medication we
will need!

40. So What are 5 Strategies to
Combat Depression?
1. Get Adequate Sleep.
2. Eat Brain Foods.
3. Do Whole Body
Exercise.

41. 4. Take CBT – Cognitive
Behavior Therapy.
5. Listen to God’s voice.