Depression and Anxiety
 

Anxiety and depression are massive subjects to explore and understand, so I am aware I cannot do these topics justice here but I would like to encourage readers with some thoughts through my clinical experience.

Anxiety and or depression are the common most presenting issues in my Private Practice. It's complex as to how and why individuals may suffer these conditions. But the important word here is “individual”. Because we are created in God’s image:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1.27.

As unique individuals we each have our own set of fingerprints and numbers of hairs on our heads:
 

And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Matthew 10.30

This means that the reasons and triggers for depression and or anxiety are unique to each individual, despite the fact that in many cases the symptoms the individual is suffering paradoxically are very similar in many cases.

The key that make psychotherapy effective in managing and healing those conditions lies in the individual’s history, combined with current day triggers which are connected in. And these can be explored and understood bringing in healing. Christians have an advantage here because the Bible explains that what we think about affects how we feel:
 

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely , whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4.8-9.

Today neuroscience findings bear this out and in therapy we can do some brain rewiring! The verses quoted from Philippians explain the genesis of CBT which is helpful addressing anxiety and depression when combined with other counselling modalities.

Anxiety maybe a more dominant feature of the client’s suffering. From a psychology point of view this can be connected to attachment issues according the work of John Bowlby one the founding fathers of modern psychology.

Issues of low self-esteem may also surface here especially with depression. From the Kleinian perspective there maybe issues of a lack of good internal object.  In counselling the current triggers connect to the past, and anxiety and panic attacks can be addressed.

From a Biblical perspective we have one who has suffered every feeling we can have–Jesus.
 

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22.44. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Jesus speaking, knowing he was about to be arrested and crucified. Matthew 26.38

Jesus suffered more than we can imagine:
 

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. Isaiah 53.3 b.

 

Jesus suffered the cross, so that we will never need to suffer the righteous anger of God, as Jesus has taken our place. God is not distant from our suffering.

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63.9. And Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrew 13.8

Finally may I encourage you that we do not struggle alone:
 

On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14.20.
 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3.20-21.

 
 
All Bible quotations are from the NIV.
Copyright © 2019 Susie Scott Kydd.