Bridging the Gap

Depression: Dealing With the Physical Effects Part 2

In the first part of our series on depression, we looked at four types of depression: Situational, developmental, biological and spiritual.  We're going to take a closer look at some underlying causes for each of these types of depression.   

Biological Depression

We don’t often realize how much our emotions are affected by our physical health and well-being.  Chronic pain, certain illnesses, medications, hormone fluctuations and chemical imbalances can all have an effect on our mood.  As I explore causes of depression with a client, I do an inventory of their physical condition.  Other treatment options for depression may not be as effective if physical issues are not addressed first.

It may be helpful at the beginning of any treatment for depression to see a doctor and take a look at your medical history to determine how that may be playing a role in your depression.  Sleep deprivation can have a huge effect on emotion.  How many of us know how much harder it is to deal with life when your sleep is cut short from pulling late night study sessions or getting up to take care of a crying newborn night after night!  Sleep patterns are often disrupted with depression.  Look for ways to re-establish good sleep patterns.  Antidepressants and sleep medications can be very helpful in restoring sleep.  Again, see a doctor or a psychiatrist (who is also a medical doctor) to determine what would be appropriate for you.  Medications don’t have to be a long-term solution, just temporary medical assistance for the biological/physical components of depression.  Many people think that once they start an antidepressant, they will have to be on it forever.  That is not always the case.  Most mental health professionals see medication as an adjunct to the treatment of other underlying factors of a person’s depression with the hope that eventually medication will no longer be necessary.

Exercise can also be very helpful in regulating sleep and relieving stress that can contribute to depression.  I encourage clients if they are physically able, to add some form of exercise to their life.  Exercise can produce chemicals in the body called endorphins, which are known to produce a sense of calm and relaxation.  Ever heard of the “runner’s high”?  That is produced by endorphins!

In the next article in this series, we will look at the situational factors of depression - those significant life stressors that can take their toll on all of us.

Recommended Resources

New Light on Depression:  Help, Hope & Answers for the Depressed and Those Who Love Them by David B. Biebel, D. Min. and Harold G. Koenig, M.D.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2004

http://mnbtg.org/resources/life-issues/depression-dealing-situations-and-beliefs-cause-pain-part-3