Depression

As we take a look at mental health I wanted to look deeper into depression and get to know more about the illness. It is a tough situation for the person suffering from it to deal with and can cause them to feel very isolated. However, I want anyone who may be dealing with this to know that you are not broken and that there are plenty of outlets available to help you if needed. Do not suffer in silence. This week I had the extreme privilege of interviewing Ms. Tscharner Wilson. She is a believer of Christ and has been working in the medical field for over 25 years. Within the last year, she has begun working as a counselor for people with mental illness as a way of ministry to those around her. Below, is our discussion and her breakdown on this issue. Keep in mind that the responses below are not word for word as I paraphrased the answers as best I could while conducting the interview. 

Question
Answer

Thank you for your time today. How long have you been working as a counselor?
I was certified in a biochemistry and nutritional class. I have been counseling people for just about a year and working as a Registered Nurse for 25 years. 

What’s the best part of being in this profession?
To see people almost automatically feel better within a couple of days. 

So let’s jump into it what is Depression and what are its causes?
Two types. Biological and Spiritual. It happens mostly because we don’t eat like we need to. We don’t have the right nutrients to properly fuel our bodies and that leads to deficiencies. Amino Acids help to determine which of the two it is. If you are not eating properly it can cause an imbalance within the body. If it is not a biological issue then I personally do not believe that someone can be truly joyful/happy without being saved. 

What are the key signs and symptoms of depression?
There are two ways it can go. A serotonin deficiency leads to obsessive-compulsive actions and extreme impatience. A dopamine deficiency leads to the feeling that you can't get out of the bed, don’t want to take a shower, no desire to get out of the house. 

What are the effects of depression on the psyche of a person and the people around them?
A lot of people would like to help the other person dealing with depression. They often think if I do something different they will want to get out of the bed. If the person dealing with depression are irritable, the people around them wonder if it is their fault or if they did something to trigger it. 

For someone who may be battling depression what is the worst thing that they could do in regards to the treatment of their symptoms?
Don’t blame themselves and don’t blame the other people around them. It is something that you can not help. The best thing is to send them to someone who can help. I am very anti-doctor because they give antidepressants and it makes you dependant on it. I offer amino acids you can get off of Amazon and take them for 8 months to a year and it can restore the neurological transmitters. Do research and find someone for the individual dealing with depression to see. Get them feeling better and follow up with therapy. I try to get people who come to me feeling well enough to want to talk and express what they are going through.

In your professional experience, what is the leading cause for people not wanting to admit that they are dealing with depression? 
A lot of them think it is another person's fault. Especially people dealing the serotonin deficiency because it causes them to be irritable. They believe that if people around them wouldn’t do a certain thing or would help them more they would be fine. Most men will not admit that they are dealing with this illness. It's an embarrassing stigma. Even still some people are too depressed to want to make a change and know that to make a change it requires an action and that is hard for people dealing with this to do. 

When living or working with someone with depression what is the best thing that a loved one can do to help that person function through the heavy attacks of depression?
Pray and pray fervently. Let them know that you are very concerned and ask if there is anything that you can do and then research someone that they can go see. 

From your experience is someone able to take measures outside of medicine to help with their depression or is this something that always needs medical attention? If there is a non-medical treatment what is it and how often should it be done to relieve the effects that depression has on the individual?
You need to make sure that your body is nourished the proper way. The amino acids help with that and help to restore the imbalance that may be within the body.

If anyone has questions or wants to schedule a time to talk, what is the best way for them to get in contact with you?
Anyone can call this number (404-732-5890). This is also my ministry I do not just do this to fill an office but as an act of service. 

Again thank you so much for your time. Do you have any closing thoughts or comments on the topic that you would like to say? 
No. I think you covered the topic well. 

Depression is a very heavy thing to deal with and should not be taken lightly to any degree. It can and has taken the life of many people. If you need to talk to someone, go do it. You are not weak for having a mental battle. You do not have to prove anything to anyone. Most of all this does not make you less than other people. Truth is we are all messed up in some kind of way. We all need help. We all need to be saved from ourselves. If that wasn’t the case we wouldn’t need Jesus. I pray this interview would bring clarity on this topic for you and even help someone in need. So please share with someone who is in need. Love you guys. See you next week.