One last fizzle . . .

mental health mon

From Omaha World Herald (11/14): "As days get shorter, act to help keep the 'winter blues' at bay. With winter in the northern hemisphere approaching, it's not uncommon for people to feel sluggish or moody. Those symptoms can be typical of someone experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically occurs during the winter. Symptoms include sleeping too much, overeating, loss of energy, social withdrawal & difficulty concentrating . . . 
      "Tips to keep your mood & motivation steady during the winter:

• "Get outside . . . 
• "Light therapy boxes . . . 
• "Get regular exercise . . . 
• "Stay social . . . "

MY COMMENTS:  I can definitely tell that my depression starts to worsen as days get shorter, especially after the time change. I would advocate for getting outside, getting regular exercise, & staying social, although all of these tips will be a challenge, due to the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Also, remember that you can affected by the season even if you do NOT have a diagnosed mood disorder.

      I've never tried a light therapy box, though it does sound intriguing.

One Last Fizzle . . . *
* My comments appear [in here]. **
** I realize that these Fizzle excerpts have contributed to lengthy, probably tedious mental health MON posts, but {1} I feel obligated to bring closure to them for the sake of anyone who has been following them for the sake of their own mental health or for the sake of the mental health of someone close to them. {2} I'm OCD. It's what I do. {3} I'll work to make my mental health posts pithier, too. Deal?

This is the final "installment" of the presentation I made at the Lutheran Education Association Convocation in Grand Rapids, Michigan last month. As a reminder, I set out to accomplish three goals.

1. Convince my audience that what many think of as burnout may, in fact, be clinical depression.
2. Offer recommendations and/or strategies for help, whether you recognize burnout/depression in yourself or someone else.
3. Add some spiritual encouragement.

Here is the title & description of my sectional, as found in the advance materials & convocation workbook. 

“Fizzling? Drop & Roll”

“Feel like you’re burning out? Working w/someone who may be burning out? Gain insights into symptoms & causes of burnout & depression, drawing upon research & my own personal experience. Learn from Scripture & where to get help, including resources such as counseling, Grace Place, & Shepherd’s Canyon Retreats.”

  

SPIRITUAL DISCONNECTION WHAT TO DO?

• Be patient w/the Christian in pain.
• Brief visits are best—but be persistent in keeping vigils w/him or her.
• Brief conversations are probably best or call & leave brief encouraging messages.
• Offer books, copies of prayers, psalms, sayings . . . [but keep in mind that everyone has their own individual preferences; don't be hurt if their preferences don't match yours or if they do not respond positively.]
• Offer to pray w/him or her. Remind him or her that you will remember them in your prayers . . . [but once again, keep in mind their possible spiritual disconnection. Your offer to pray with them may not be positively received, especially at first . . . & NEVER put them on a public prayer list unless you have their permission.]
• Depressed people often live life intensely in the present & may need a  reminder to take one day at a time . . . 
• They also may need a reminder that God promises to sustain & comfort us—but help & comfort & sustenance may not happen IMMEDIATELY . . .  [Burnout & depression rarely happen overnight, so it's not rational to expect that positive results will happen overnight either. However, since rational thinking may not be working at an optimal level, refer again to the first suggestion.]

PAUL’S STRATEGIES *

* CAVEAT #1:  I’m not a mental health professional & few if any of these strategies are my originals anyway. **
** CAVEAT #2:  Trial & error come into play. ***
*** CAVEAT #3:  What works for one person may not work for another.

• Physical activity [Effective for me, although I've been hampered off & on, first by back problems, then hip problems which resulted in a hip replacement; more recently with a knee problem. Then again, these could just be excuses.]                   
• Dogs [Some find pets to be a therapeutic presence. For me a dog has helped get me out of the house & walking. CAVEAT:  Picking up after the dog can be mildly depressing.]
• Quiet time [My quiet time has included scripture, prayer, devotions. CAVEAT:  If you also suffer from OCD, like I do, be careful lot to let quiet time become an obsessive-compulsive behavior, or it will be a frustrating instead of a spiritually uplifting time.]               
• Pastoral care [I have benefited from the spiritual care I've received from several pastors, including my own brother.]
• Journaling [For me this has taken the form of blogging, also writing devotionals for OGT. If you follow my blog, you also know that this can become frustratingly obsessive & compulsive.]
• Positive v. Negative Influence [In hindsight, I have spent WAY too much time during the election cycle drowning myself in political punditry from both ends of the spectrum. I'd say that this is just as bad as letting yourself be influenced by stinky people, like the kind that are found too often in staff workrooms & mtgs.]
• Road trips [I like road trips, but I realize that not everyone is in a position to take road trips. CAVEAT:  Sometimes when I'm in the car for a long period of time, I start "over-thinking," which causes me to drag myself down with negative thoughts.]
• Personal leave [If you know my story, then you know that I started a "sabbatical" from Lutheran High Northeast in November 2014. This turned into a long-term medical disability, which morphed into my separation from LHNE. The circumstances under which this occurred did NOT particularly help my mood disorders. On the other hand, the lifestyle changes that ensued have not been all bad. The time off that my Board originally gave me, including time for Lois & me to attend Shepherd's Canyon, were of great benefit.]
• Medications  [There are a plethora of psychotropic drugs available to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, etc. CAVEAT:  You should NEVER self-medicate. You SHOULD only take these types of medications under the supervision of a mental health professional.]
• Therapy [Ironically, I had my first session w/a mental health therapist the week prior to my "sabbatical" from LHNE. She has been a blessing for me. Contrary to what some think, a counselor is NOT someone who will listen to you, then tell you what's wrong with you & what you have to do to get better.]
• Psychiatry [A psychiatrist's main responsibility is to listen to you describe your symptoms, diagnose your condition(s), & prescribe appropriate medications and/or treatment plans. A psychiatrist does NOT primarily provide counseling.]

TRUTH & HOPE FROM SCRIPTURE

I previously shared these passages with you.

• Romans 8:28
• Romans 8:35, 37-39
• 1 Cor. 15:58
• 2 Cor. 12:9
• Eph. 2:8-10

I'm adding two more.

• 1 Peter 5:6-7 . . . “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s right hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
• 1 Cor. 10-13 . . . “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Sources
Halloran, Kevin. “Christian Ministry Burnout, Prevention, Signs, Statistics & Recovery. leadership
resources.org, posted 10/22/13.
Lukits, Ann. “Are Burnout & Depression the Same Thing?” Wall Street Journal on-line, 3/7/16.
Yahnke, Dr. Beverly. “Depression:  Understanding the Pieces of the Puzzle.” Lutheran Hour
Ministries brochure, 2013.