Help for depression

[praise Him]

I have been suffering from depression for the last several years. I finally have realized that I seriously need some professional help. Does anyone know of a good adventist ministry out in a rural area that helps those with depression? I googled and found a place that seems interesting but I have never heard of them and wonder if anyone else is familiar with them and could tell me if they are an adventist ministry or not. Their website is http://www.thebridgetorecovery.com/index.htm Any help would be greatly appreciated, it's just to the point I can't continue living in this misery.

[Gail]

I don't, but someone here might. I do hope you are able to find some leads!

:)

[olger]

Try Bruce Hayward in Berrien Springs, MI.

God is able!

G

(I don't recommend the aforementioned link).

[phkrause]

Hi praise Him and welcome to C/A, hope you get the info you need. But first maybe you should let us know where your located? Than maybe someone can better help.

[praise Him]

I am in Washington state.

[Woody]

I have been suffering from depression for the last several years. I finally have realized that I seriously need some professional help. Does anyone know of a good adventist ministry out in a rural area that helps those with depression? I googled and found a place that seems interesting but I have never heard of them and wonder if anyone else is familiar with them and could tell me if they are an adventist ministry or not. Their website is http://www.thebridgetorecovery.com/index.htm Any help would be greatly appreciated, it's just to the point I can't continue living in this misery.

Yes, I have a number of SDA friends who have attended The Bridge. I've heard Carol speak before. I think their biggest area they address is Codependencies. But you can contact them. I think this is a safe and wise bet for you.

And yes - I can affirm that this is an Adventist Run ministry. Carol and her husband - oh I forget his name. I think their last name is Cannon. But they are both pioneers in the church with this field. I believe that Carol's husband was an SDA minister.

[olger]

It's Paul..

I recommend finding something in the west, Praise Him. The Bridge is costly, comparable to treating clinical depression. I can't recommend it.

Why don't you call Caring for the Heart Ministries in Colorado Springs and talk to Cindy. Ask her for a counselor in Pacific Northwest.

I just thought of one - Danny Lynch. 406-210-3686. He's real good and doesn't charge. It is a ministry to him.

warm regards,

g

[Woody]

Yes, It's Paul and Carol Cannon. Both wonderful people.

I would highly recommend it if you have the funds. If you can't afford The Bridge - then look into the other recommendations.

[praise Him]

Thank you very much, I called the Bridge to recovery and they are pretty expensive, also it seems that one of the co-founders was SDA but currently they are not an SDA ministry anymore. Thanks a lot for the information, I will give him a call.

[Woody]

Yes, well that is interesting. Thanks for letting us know.

Paul and Carol are SDA and they founded The Bridge - but I believe it was always an independent ministry and not officially connected to the church.

I recall that our church had Paul come and speak to us - so I've actually heard them both speak because I heard Carol speak at Andrews.

[Gail]

Wishing you all the best!

[Overaged]

Hello; I don't mean to pry or talk about anything that should be private; but I thought it would be worth posting a couply of general, but important principles to keep in mind while seeking help for depresssion.

I was in nursing for over 14 years, and I learned a few things that might be helpful.

The most important thing is to go to your family doctor and have a complete physical exam to rule out potential causes. There are a number of physical conditions and diseases that could be the root cause of depression, and it is important to rule those out first. If a complete physical exam reveals nothing remarkable; then the treatment modality can be done in a more effective and practical manner.

I wish you God's guidance in your search; and I hope you will come back & keep us posted as to how it's going, and to ask more questions as they arise.

[Kevin H]

Amen Overage! The first step is to get the good physical done to check out any potential physical causes.

This is what I found useful to me, but I give a disclaimer that this is not to replace your doctor's advice, and to use these resources with caution and good sense and to find a therapy that is useful for you. I am just sharing what I find useful to me.

I believe that we need to work on depression by dealing with good physical health, exercise, rest and the health message. While we have the message and places like Yucchi pines is the foundation, you can see some specific applicaiton to mental health issues in say Dr. Hyman's "The Ultra Mind Solution"

And there is the thought that we end up thinking about and choices we make. Dr. Ned Nedley has the book "Depresssion The Way Out" which is excellent. He also has other books and a DVD series. Look into Dr. Nedley's programs. He also recomends the works by Dr. David Burns, such as the book Feeling Good and The Feeling Good Handbook. Dr Burn's work is also outstanding. Along with Burns I am also a huge fan of Dr. William Glasser's "Choice Theory" and "Reality Therapy" And while this is controversial, I also respect the work of the poet/philosopher Eli Siegel's Aesthetic Realism. Siegel was not a psychologist or anything like that. He was a poet/philosopher, not having the right ideas and thinking way a head of his time, he was snubed by the press, and in dealing with this his students still have not figured out how to place him. After he died there was a power struggel among his students and the group that won out tended to have a religious approach to his works which is sad. There was another group which was even more fanatical, but when they lost out they made an about face and have been calling it a cult. Now they have a point, however they are making a mountain out of a mole hill. But I think that it is useful to at least look Siegel and Aesthetic Realism up on Wicopedia. I find his works dovetailing nicely with Nedley's Burns and Gassers. You would find it very useful to look at the works of all four of these men, and that from the four of them you will get a much more powerful effect than you would from only one or even just any grouping of three of them only.

Anyway, while I won't make a specific recommendaiton, I would encourage you to look into these four thoughts, and to look for either someone connected with Dr. Nedley, Dr. Burns, or Dr. Gasser for counseling (and read the others) Dr. Nedley is a Seventh-day Adventist, and Yucchi Pines is Seventh-day Adventist (for the diet part) Dr. Hyman, Dr. Burns, Dr. Glasser and Mr. Siegel are non-Adventists. If you cannot get a counselor related to Nedley, Burns or Glasser, at least find a cognative therapist. Once again this is my opinion and while I have found the works of these people useful in my life and thinking (No I don't have major depression but still find them useful and I work as a psychiatric nurse for New York State and the U. S. Air Force Reserves and sometimes speak in church on Bible and mental health issues, and I am working on making a ministry "the Magic of Liking This Miserable World" to go to churches, schools, and other community events, to use magic, and hopefully music, and games, to teach physical, spiritual and mental health)

Depression is a very painful situation, yet it is treatable. Yes, the medications have done a fantastic job, but I believe that medication should be the last resort. Depression is not a prozac deficiency. But there could well be other deficiencies that places like Yucchi Pines or The Ultramind Solution may point you to, and thought that we can focus on that Nedley, Burns, Gasser and Siegel will give you guidelines with that can really revolutionize your life!!! Again, take Overage's advice and get the physical from your doctor. Then google those other resources. Do some reading and see if Dr. Nedley can help you find a counselor, but don't neglect Burns, Glasser and Siegel! Keep us posted and God bless you. I hope this helps.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

"I cannot know why suddenly the storm

should rage so fiercely round me in it's wrath

But this I know: God watches all my path

And I can trust"

"God helps us to draw strength from the storm"

I don't think one can get better advice for conquering depression.

God blesses, always. Sometimes it's in disguise. We'll be praying for you, Praise Him.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

"the Magic of Liking This Miserable World"

A thought that, because of the source of "Magic", could lead most anyone to be depressed.

"Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity."John 12:25 NLT

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." 1 John 3:2 KJV

God blesses!

[Kevin H]

"For God so Loved the World that he gave his only unique son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" -- Jesus

"When we love the world as he [Jesus] has loved it, then his mission is accomplished, we are fitted for heaven for we have heaven in our hearts." Fighting this is "There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brethren, to serve self, to seek the highest place and often this results in evil surmising's and bitterness of spirit" Ellen White Desire of Ages page 641, and the Communion Chapter.

" In order to respect one self one has to see the world as beautiful or good or acceptable." [fighting this is] "There is in every person a disposition to think they are for themselves by making less of the outside world." This is contempt and "contempt causes insanity" Eli Siegel

[LifeHiscost]

"For God so Loved the World that he gave his only unique son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" -- Jesus

"When we love the world as he [Jesus] has loved it, then his mission is accomplished, we are fitted for heaven for we have heaven in our hearts." Fighting this is "There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brethren, to serve self, to seek the highest place and often this results in evil surmising's and bitterness of spirit" Ellen White Desire of Ages page 641, and the Communion Chapter.

" In order to respect one self one has to see the world as beautiful or good or acceptable." [fighting this is] "There is in every person a disposition to think they are for themselves by making less of the outside world." This is contempt and "contempt causes insanity" Eli Siege]

The first two quotes I found settled truth. The underlined I found an opinion that is worthy of consideration but disagreeing with confidence in the righteousness of Jesus alone, which is our salvation. A correct view of ourselves is to see what satan has made us as well as what Jesus is creating in those who recognize there no thread of human devising granting us eternal Life.

"If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth."

1 John 1:7 NLT

"'''a servant....of Jesus Christ, to those who did obtain a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ...." 2 Peter 1:2 YLT

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

This is an addendum to the above for those that might be interested. LifeHiscost

To us has been given the message of Christ’s soon coming. At the ascension of our Lord, angels stood beside the disciples, and with them watched the Saviour as He passed into the heavens. Then they turned to the disciples with the word, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

Are we preparing for this great event? Are we preparing to meet the Saviour in peace, or are we absorbed in worldly business and pleasure? In the judgment, the question will not be, What profession did you make? but, What have you done for Me? What fruit have you borne to My glory? Now is the time to prepare for the coming King.

As John saw the multitude standing around the throne of God, the question was asked, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?” The angel answered, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” At infinite cost a fountain has been prepared for our cleansing. If we now wash our robes of character at this fountain, God will give us a place in the mansions that are being prepared for those who love Him.

His Robe of Righteousness

Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God’s presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. “I counsel thee,” He says, “to buy of Me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.”

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God was “manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” Sin is defined to be “the transgression of the law.” But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” When on earth He said to His disciples, “I have kept My Father’s commandments.” By His perfect obedience, He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ the heart is united with His heart; the will is merged in His will; the mind becomes one with His mind; the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then, as the Lord looks upon us, He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.The Signs of the Times

November 22, 1905

Our Preparation for the End By Mrs. E. G. White

Underlined mine LHC

[Kevin H]

It's been a long day, but yes, the first two quotes come from inspiration. But I think you are misreading the third quote as part of being fair to the world is to see the good things as good, the bad things as bad and middling as middling. To want to be accurate. To want things to be the best they can be and being critical of sin.

[Kevin H]

Praise Him, just wondering how things are going?

[Lauralea]

Dear Praise Him

I sincerely hope you receive the help you need.

http://www.drnedley.com/10-day-depression-recovery-program.html

Dr Nedley has an inpatient treatment program for depression that is SDA. I think it is in Oklahoma, although he is also connnected with Weimar in Cailfornia the last I heard. He also has CDs but if you went that route you would also want to find someone local as a therapist.

It might also help to have a local SDA or possibly a Christian psychologist to work with on some variation of cognitive or rational emotive therapy from a Christian perspective, and see them for awhile as you seek to be helped. These are 2 similar psychological views of thought that are constructive and generally compatible with Christian beliefs and practice. I hope these help. I am not online here often, but you can reach me by emailing me at eatrighteatwell@gmail dot com

In some cases medication may be necessary, but there are some physical things you can do to reduce your risk of depression. God bless you in your search for the right help for you.

Laura

[Kevin H]

Excellent post Lauralea, but you also need to include "Choice Theory/Reality Therapy" as well. Talking with Dr. Glasser, when he learned that I was a Seventh-day Adventist he mentioned that an unusually large number of those interested in Choice Theory/Reality Therapy are Seventh-day Adventists.

And Dr. Nedley's program is fantastic.

Praise Him, I've been wondering what you have been doing and how things are going

[olger]

Yes, praying for this person.