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PROGRAM D-8459
If you’ve ever gone through a depression, whether long or short term, you can empathize with Louise, Fran’s friend. Fran is trying to help Louise, a fellow believer on her job, who has been going through a serious depressed state for reasons unknown. Fran has made an appointment for her with a well-recommended doctor, and is taking her there this afternoon.
Louise doesn’t talk the whole way to the doctor’s office. Fran decides it’s no time for small talk, so she just prays silently for her while she is driving. As they arrive, Louise is reluctant to get out of the car. “It won’t do any good, Fran,” she says. “I’m just wasting your time and my money.”
Fran gently takes her arm and helps her out of the car. “Don’t worry about that; it’s worth a try, Louise.” And so, slowly, Louise walks with Fran into the doctor’s office. When her name is called, Louise can barely lift herself out of the chair. With Fran’s help she gets into the doctor’s office. “Why don’t you stay with her,” Doctor Monroe suggests, seeing how frightened Louise is.
Louise grabs her hand, “Yes, Fran, please stay.” So, Fran sits down.
“How can I help you, Louise?” the doctor asks.
“I don’t think you can,” she replies, “but Fran thought I should find out if my problem is physical.” And with that Louise begins slowly to tell the doctor of her experience with depression over the past few weeks.
“Louise,” the doctor responds, “what you have described sounds like a textbook case of clinical depression. That means that it is likely to have a physical connection, and medication may be able to help you.”
“I don’t know about taking medication,” Louise says. “That scares me. Sounds like I should be admitted to a mental institution or something.”
“Oh, no,” the doctor assures her, “no, Louise, it just means that we need to find out if this sudden depression has a physical cause. I see many people with similar symptoms, Louise, and many times some medication is able to get them back to a somewhat normal state so that they can begin to work on other issues that may be contributing to their feelings. If you had any other kind of physical imbalance, you would have no qualms about receiving some medication for it. Likewise, if these symptoms are caused by a physical imbalance, then why not take some medicine for them as well?”
After more discussion, Louise agrees to the doctor’s suggestion and leaves with a prescription.
Clinical depression is a problem many people face—yes, even Christians. We need to be informed about how best to help those who suffer from these bouts of depression.
