Understanding Depression video series

Symptoms of Depression

What does depression look like? What does it feel like? How does someone with depression appear? In this video, Jennifer Antonsen describes the four ways depression symptoms can be felt: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. For many people, physical symptoms are the first indicator of depression, but there are other warning signs you can be aware of.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video 2, follow these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this verse: “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

// Step 2

Answer these discussion questions:

1. 1. What are some physical signals that our bodies are trying to tell us something is wrong emotionally/spiritually/mentally?
   2. Have you or someone you love experienced any of the symptoms Jennifer discussed?
   3. “Good Christians should never experience feelings of depression.” Have you heard this? How can this perspective be damaging for someone who is experiencing depression?

// Step 3

Read the article “Facts on depression” on Focus on the Family Canada’s Clergy Care website. Though the article is speaking to pastors, this list of common symptoms is applicable to everyone, and also includes ways depression can exhibit differently in males and females.

// Step 4

Read the article “Unpacking the stigma of depression” by Wendy Kittlitz to understand the damage caused by shame-based thinking and how we can understand and combat depression.