0 – Severely depressed, suicidal and/or homicidal, immediate inpatient treatment necessary, inability to function (in daily activities)
1 – Severely depressed, somewhat suicidal and/or homicidal, monitoring necessary, inpatient treatment likely necessary, inability to function
2 – Severely depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring recommended, inpatient treatment optional, great difficulty functioning
3 – Moderately depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring optional, some difficulty functioning
4 – Mildly depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring optional, low difficulty functioning
5 – Emotionally numb, in a state of existence, no suicidal and/or homicidal ideations, no monitoring necessary, some ability to function, borderline mood (potential for change to 4 or 6)
6 – Mildly happy, content, no suicidal and/or homicidal ideations, little functioning problems
7 – Moderately happy, upbeat, no functioning problems
8 – Moderately happy, optimistic, positive, no functioning problems
9 – Extremely happy, optimistic, cheerful, positive, “in a good mood,” “feel great,” no functioning problems
10 – Extremely happy, potentially manic, active, energetic, euphoric, ability to function may vary
*A plus (+) sign, used only for numbers below 5, indicate that there is no suicidal ideation.
depression introspection 
Have you seen the book The Depression Advantage? It is about spiritual growth and the role that depression can play in it. The book looks at the lives of saints and how depression played a central role in their lives. They have a website at http://www.depressionadvantage.com and are including pastoral counseling as part of an integrated program. The also have introspection as one of the central tenets.
Thanks, Marissa. I am glad we found one another 🙂
It’s a comfort and encouragement to know that God loves us dearly. In this life, we will meet with my trials, sicknesses and sufferings just like anyone else. But the difference is we have a God who cares for us and Who is working all things for our good, including our sufferings. Very often it is through our sufferings and pains, that we know God’s love and faithfulness in very real and personal ways. I trust, by the grace of God, He will enable me to continue to share with others His goodness and mercies, so that others too can see His love and come to enjoy it.
Hope you have a blessed week 🙂 Take care.
In our Lord’s grace,
Nancie
Hi, my name is MaryAnne and I am a born again believer. I know I am saved by the grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At this time I am going through difficulties in my life, but I remain in the word of God and in prayer “talking to the Lord”. I met a Christian on pal talk that comes from a legalistic back ground as I have. Him and his wife found a great church where they live, in another State. I was talking to him 3 days ago and he does not believe anyone who is in Christ can have chemical imbalances or anything that applies to mental illness. My doctor diagnosed me with, severe depression vs bipolar. Right now I feel shame and I don’t know if it is true. My heart is broken because I feel I am sinning against God. I am a very nervous person and I know a lot of it has to do with my up bringing. Also, my mood can change and when it does, it feels like I want to jump out of my own skin. I hate hate that side of me. I am on zoloft and klonopin, but I still am not right. At least not the way I should be. That is why my doctor wants me to have medicaid so he can give me the medication I need, because he wants to get me on the exact medication and it can be costly. Just to let you know, I am a 50 year old woman. I worked all my life up until 2 years ago. I applied for SSDI but was denied twice and I have binder and binder working on my case. I also am physically disabled too, that keeps me from working but again, I am waiting for the insurance card. The only source of income I have is my son’s father who passed away. “Death benefits”. That just about covers my rent. I get food stamps and I get help with my electric bill. I am so grateful to the Lord for what I receive. I am waiting for a medicaid card for at least 2 months because it has to go to Trenton to be denied or approved. I need to see my doctor tomorrow and it will cost me $70.00 to see him, and about $80.00 for my prescriptions. My sister has helped me in the past but I want so much to rely on the Lord. I would be talking to my sister and telling her my financial problems and may I say, she is not a rich woman herself, but she managed to help me. I think the Lord doesn’t want me to see the doctor because it is not right. And if I don’t go and not get my medication, I will start to go through withdrawals. I DO NOT abuse the klonopin but my body is immuned to it. I feel that the Lord is not pleased with me, yet I know that Jesus took all my sins to the cross and he made me righteous…all because of what he did.
Maybe I don’t have enough faith? I am full of tears and cry to the Lord.
I think of the verses… Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understandings. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths. Another verse I try to lean on is…Be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart. Wait I say on the Lord.
I am waiting and tomorrow is the day I need to see my doctor. What am I doing wrong. I have no one to talk to about this at all. I cry out to the Lord, then I think, maybe I have no faith or he wants me to stop seeing the doctor.
PLEASE get back to me A.S.A.P
Thank you and God bless
MaryAnne
Thank you for this blog