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

by Aaron Kheriaty

Other authorsJohn Cihak (Author), J. David Franks (Foreword)
Paperback, c2012

Status

Available

Call number

248.86.KHE

Publication

Manchester, New Hampshire : Sophia Institute Press

Description

Countless Christians -- including scores of saints -- have suffered profound, pervasive sorrow that modern psychiatrists call "depression." Then, as now, great faith and even fervent spiritual practices have generally failed to ease this wearying desolation of soul. In these pages, Catholic psychiatrist Aaron Kheriaty reviews the effective ways that have recently been devised to deal with this grave and sometimes deadly affliction -- ways that are not only consistent with the teachings of the Church, but even rooted in many of those teachings. Extensive clinical experience treating patients with depression has shown Dr. Kheriaty that the confessional can't cure neuroses, nor can the couch forgive sin. Healing comes only when we integrate the legitimate discoveries of modern psychology and pharmacology with spiritual direction and the Sacraments, giving particular attention to the wisdom of the Church Fathers and the saints. Here, with the expert help of Dr. Kheriaty, you'll learn how to distinguish depression from similarlooking but fundamentally different mental states such as guilt, sloth, the darkness of sin, and the sublime desolation called "dark night of the soul" that is, in fact, a privileged spiritual trial sent to good souls as a special gift from God. -- From publisher description.… (more)

Language

Original language

English

ISBN

9781933184760

Local notes

Contents

Forward by J. David Franks
Introduction

Part I: Understanding Depression
1. Types of Depression and Their Causes
2. Depression and the Spiritual Life
3. Depression and Related Disorders
4. Depression and the Tragedy of Suicide

Part II: Overcoming Depression
5. Medication and Other Biological Treatments
6. Psychotherapy: Its Benefits and Limitations
7. Spiritual Help for Depression
8. Divine Filiation and the Virtue of Hope

Appendices
Resources for Further Reading
Prayers in Times of Distress
Address of Pope John Paul II on the Theme of Depression

About the Authors
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