Mending a Broken Mind

Book excerpt: Do you feel down, depressed, or hopeless? Have you lost interest or pleasure in doing things? Do you know someone who might be depressed and want to help? Are you a Christian healer—health care provider, counselor, or clergy - and want to expand your knowledge base on depression? If you answer yes to any of these questions, this book may be of help to you. As a Christian family physician and educator for forty-three years and with seminary training, I have found that treating the whole person with clinical depression is the most likely way to be healed from this dreadful illness. There are now many real helps for those with clinical depression from the medical (including psychiatric), counseling, and pastoral care professions, especially from the Bible itself. I have suffered from seven clinical depressions, and most of my siblings and children have experienced at least one clinical depression—so I know what the issues are that face those of us who are depressed. I have also included real life examples of Christians who have suffered from depression, including me, as well as helpful quotations from Scripture and special prayers for those who are depressed.