The Catholic Guide to Depression: How the Saints, the Sacraments, and Psychiatry Can Help You Break Its Grip and Find Happiness Again

Very informative book. Just what I needed.

As someone dealing with cancer for the past seven years, have had bouts of depression and despair off and on. Last seven years have been trying. Mother, had a stroke, then passed away, then dealt with her funeral and end-of-life matter; dad, came to live with me; Parkinson's end-stage; 24/7 care of my dad with no or little help; three years of caring for dad with multiple complications and hospitalizations; then visiting every day (sometimes twice) in nursing home; protecting his rights; advocating for him when he was not kept clean, etc.; dad died, dealt with death and end-of-life matters, again, all alone with no help.While dealing with the above matters, Bernie Madoff stole my $600,000 pension leaving me penniless. Dealing with that nonsense for past ?4-5 years. Then my best friend, my dog, died. My canary died. My fish died. Attempted robbery of my home on two occasions; don't know what they were looking for....have nothing.Before all of the above, given diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I am retired medical secretary/transcriptionist - know that I was doomed. Doctors told me I was doomed. ? 3 to six months to live?Turned to GOD. Asked him for a miracle. Got my miracle. Turns out I have a rare form of pancreatic cancer. I am now 7 years post Whipple surgical procedure.Year later told that cancer spread to liver. Asked for another miracle. Received yet another Miracle from GodHave been totally abandoned and left alone to fight all of the battles above. Despair, desolation and despondency beyond description. Finally, when brought to my knees in totally and utter despair - returned to the Catholic faith.Have spent last year learning all about Catholicism which I apparently did not learn or was taught in catechism classes when I was a kid back in the 50's. As a result, have bought tons of books, done tons of research, lots of searching on the web to gather wonderful information to continue my catholic education.When I saw this title, I knew it was for me. It is easy to read and understand. It has helped me to determine whether, when there are those days I feel blue, I am depressed because of medical problems and issues or the trials, the crosses of life. Would refer this to everyone dealing with family issues while also dealing with cancer and other huge trials.I keep re-reading parts of it and referring back to it. Have learned that there are actually sins against the Holy Spirit (sins other than we normally think of when we do not keep the Ten Commandments). Two of the sins against the Holy Spirit are presumption and DESPAIR. Did not know that despair was a sin. So, every time I had a bout of feeling blue, feeling abandoned by my son and all alone in this fight that I wage against cancer, I now wonder if it is a despair that is spiritual or since I am also on thyroid medication that was recently "recalled" in addition to the diabetes and cancer, whether this despair is medically induced. (they "fried" my thyroid by medical mistake- hypothyroid disease can leave you tired, fatigues and very depressed).It is funny, now that I am a "come home again" Catholic, I go to confession every week. Now I find myself running to confession to confess the sin of despair - the sin against the Holy Spirit. Now I can slow down, think before I go running off to the confessional and refer to the above guidelines. Have already referred it to a couple of my friends; one of whom is an active Catholic; the other, still kicking and screaming and not going back to church.

I bought this book a few years ago and kept telling myself I would read it soon--soon finally came and I am quite pleased with the substance of this book. The book is geared to someone with at least some basic knowledge of mental health and Catholic theology, but one need not be an expert at either to understand this book. As pointed out in the book there are gradients to depression and I would not advise giving this to a person who is severely depressed--this book is more suited for an individual looking to learn about depression or someone with a more moderate depression.The authors do an excellent job of removing some of the stigma or guilt often associated with depression and encourage readers to see that depression cannot be limited to one particular cause. Dr. Kheriaty addresses one issue facing many of faith and mental health issues--why can't I just pray my way out of it? The authors then go on to explain the difference between depression and spiritual issues (lukewarmness, acedia, etc). The authors distinctions between mental health issues and spiritual issues are very clear.I found the explanation of "dark night of soul" versus depression particularly enlightening as many of my own clients struggle with this distinction and often think that "God is just testing me." The authors helpfully explain, in my simplified version, that the "dark night" is more related to spirituality, whereas depression is going to affect other areas of the patient's life. The dark night is definitely a spiritual issue that requires a spiritual remedy, sacraments, prayer, etc, whereas depression is not solved spiritually due to the persons "darkened" state (biological, relational, medical illness).I also appreciated the authors encouragement to seek appropriate mental or spiritual help to be spot on. I often hear Catholics joking about the Sacrament of Confession as therapy, but one who is truly depressed has a difficult time with hope and therefore struggles to pray their way out of depression (the authors certainly do not deny God's omnipotence, but clearly explain the struggles that a depressed person faces and how much of God's greatness can be ignored because the depressed person simply cannot experience). As the authors explain spirituality is a definite help with working through depression, but it only addresses one aspect of the whole person.My only complaint with the book is the insistence that a depressed person seek the help of a psychiatrist over other mental health treatment providers. Many areas are not blessed with an abundance of psychiatrists, and/or are intimidated by the price of a single session, and need to find other mental health providers prior to seeing a psychiatrist or medical doctor for medication. I think it would have been more helpful to focus on a competent mental health care provider instead of an exclusive focus on psychiatrists. Dr. Kheriaty also rightly points out the tendency for psychiatrists to prescribe medication instead of actually offering therapy to the patient and that primary care physicians frequently do not maximize the dose.

For people who suffer from low mood or depression i would definitely recommend.Should help clarify whether or not you would need medication,

Very good book giving an excellent explanation for depression and the treatments for it. Also highlights the importance of the link between the soul and the brain and that leaving out the spiritual dimension of the depressed will impair any treatments for depression.

Nach zehn Jahren Depression hatte ich mich von der Kirche entfernt, weil ich in meiner Gemeinde nur Unverständnis und Schuldzuweisung wegen meiner Krankheit gefunden hatte. Hier habe ich endlich eine solide Grundlage gefunden, wie ich als gläubiger Katholik damit umgehe und wie mein Glaube mir sogar bei der Genesung helfen kann. Der Autor erklärt in Zusammenhang mit dem Kreuzopfer die traditionelle Sicht der Kirche über Leiden allgemein und Depression ins Besondere, und geht spezifisch darauf ein, wie z.B. sich Depression von der Hauptsünde/Todsünde Faulheit unterscheidet. Sehr zu empfehlen.

the author covered the proper treatment of depression in clinical terms and tells of talk therapy and medical treatment with medicine and talk. Then he goes on to cover spiritual issues affecting depression and how the co-ordinate the two treatments. I was encouraged by the book in my walk/

Cathartic, serene and somewhat enlightening. Clarified and explained some things in a different light, thus having an almost calming effect. A good book for anyone with a loved one (likely) suffering from depression.