Navigating Treatment-Resistant Depression, with Ron Jones

Summary:
*Ron Jones discusses treatment resistant depression (TRD), which occurs when multiple classes of antidepressant medications fail to provide relief.
*TRD is described as a subcategory of major depressive disorder, unrelated to therapy but linked to the ineffectiveness of psychotropic medications.
*Ron shares his personal experience with TRD, highlighting the frustration and discouragement of ineffective treatments and the lengthy process of testing medications.
*He suggests that emotional and mental needs, when unmet, can lead to chemical imbalances, and treating only the symptoms without addressing underlying issues is insufficient.
*Jones emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in relation to God, suggesting that misalignment can contribute to mental health issues.
*He recounts a pivotal moment in a church service where he felt the Holy Spirit's guidance, leading to a significant change in his depression.
*Jones discusses the role of community, vulnerability, and addressing lies or misconceptions about oneself as crucial steps in the healing process.
*He advocates for the recognition of negative emotions as truthful indicators and encourages seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance for healing.
*Jones stresses the importance of relational accountability and having supportive people in one's life to provide honest feedback.
*He concludes by affirming the possibility of finding hope and new life even after experiencing deep depression, through a relationship with Christ and understanding one's true identity.

PODCAST INTRO:
My guest today, Ron Jones, is a pastoral counselor and mental health advocate and he stopped by to share his first-hand experiences and insights into his victory over treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This discussion touches on the complexities of living with TRD, the challenges of traditional treatment methods, and the importance of having a strong identity in Christ and growing in faith throughout the healing process.

What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a severe form of major depressive disorder. Ron explained that clinically, it is defined as depression that does not respond to at least three different classes of antidepressant medications. Ron also shared that this condition is not merely about resistance to therapy but is specifically linked to the ineffectiveness of psychotropic medicines.

The Struggle with Traditional Treatments

Ron describes the frustration of navigating the medical system, which often prioritizes treating symptoms over addressing root causes. He likens the process to taking aspirin for a headache without investigating the underlying cause. He even pointed out that this approach can be disheartening, especially when medications take weeks to show results, if at all.

A Journey of Identity and Faith

Throughout his journey, Ron emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true identity. He believes that much of mental illness stems from a misalignment between who we are and who we perceive ourselves to be.

For Ron, this journey of self-discovery was deeply intertwined with his faith, which provided a foundation and a source of hope. This foundation withstood 13 years of struggling AND also provided room for growth and intimacy with Christ as he searched how to get out from under his depression. As shared in then opening clip….Ron was desperately clinging to hope God and yet had no hope.

Steps Toward Healing

Ron offered practical steps for those struggling with depression:

Evaluate Your "Have To's": Examine the non-negotiables in your life that might be contributing to your stress and consider whether they are truly necessary.

Identify Primary Lies: Reflect on the negative emotions you feel most often and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the first time you felt this way.

Listen for the Holy Spirit: Spend time in silence, asking the Holy Spirit, "What's We most important thing I could hear right now?" and be open to whatever answer comes without editing it.

Something I added, only because I have to do this: when I’m seeking God for an answer I have learned that I need to write it down. It is very commen for me to forget the details of what He spoke into my spirit. If you want to add a #4: Write down what you hear the Holy Spirit speak into your spirit and refer to it as often as you need to.

Conclusion

Ron’s story gives us a deeper revelation about Treatment Resistant Depression because it’s from his personal experience; his 13 year battle to find relief. His faith, community, and self-reflection was instrumental in overcoming his TRD. While traditional treatments may fall short mainly because they’re go to is to fix things with medicine vs looking at a more holistic approach that would include a deep dive into one’s identity. So Ron's journey offers hope and encouragement to those facing similar struggles, reminding us that there is always a path to discovering the benefits of knowing the truth and having a stronger identity.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com
Sherrie Pilk

With regard to the acronyms you’ll hear Ron use, here is what they stand for (this info is more current than the audio intro to this podcast episode):
SSRIs - (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are a class of antidepressants that help treat depression
Sozo is a practice/method used by some Christian ministries to describe their approach to inner healing, which focuses on restoring broken relationships with God and healing past trauma (for more info check out sozo.org) 
SNRIs - Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
PCP - Primary Care Physician
BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder

Resources along the same topic:
Unrelenting Pain Known as The Suicide Disease (CRPS), with Darci Steiner -  https://alifeofthrive.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=9563&action=edit
Autoimmune Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis and Faith, with Sara Salazar - https://alifeofthrive.com/2021/09/01/autoimmune-disease/
Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness, with Sara Willoughby - https://alifeofthrive.com/2025/01/01/hope-in-the-midst-of-chronic-illness-with-sara-willoughby/

Connect with Ron:
Ron’s podcast w/his friend (Nick): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ron-and-nicks-best-friend-podcast/id1599899345

Amazon link to Ron’s most recent book - The Little Book of Forgiveness - The Pathway to Freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Forgiveness-pathway-freedom/dp/B0DYNXWKBW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oljVyfzmkcvd-tRRqhc8qzcDCCeB-vKQpdasKmcPpGyLFkFehAMYradfiTGZARL3MVN6ar_YRewiXpEMrwt-ig.0u01g9j57uS-UD4NfXgrNw4IxQKkAQYxAoW0rJG8AV0&qid=1743803194&sr=8-1

Ron’s Bio:
R. Kenward Jones is a disruptive teacher, writer, podcaster (who isn’t these days?), counselor, husband, father and grandfather.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degrees in biblical studies and counseling. 

His debut novel, Buried at Sea, was published by Penmore Press in 2022.  Daily, he writes proverbs, parables and prayers and shares them on his Facebook page and website to inspire and encourage.

R. Kenward Jones is a US Navy veteran and served as both an enlisted man and officer for 12 years before he left the military to become a pastor.  After a 13-year long bout with treatment resistant depression he left the ministry to reset his life.  He knows the Valley of the Shadow of Death and the power of personal Creativity as the way through it and out of it.

Currently he works as a counselor and teaches the 515A “zero excuses” bootcamp at the local YMCA.  He and Tina, his high school sweetheart, have been married for 40 years, have two children and one grandchild, and live in Southeastern Virginia although they still consider the Shenandoah Valley to be their “home.” 

R. Kenward Jones enjoys life and joy tempered by suffering and more than anything wants to help other sufferers experience the same.