Facing Depression: Toward Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit

by Michael Lawson, Roger Hurding (Foreword)

With an emphasis on seeking the right kind of help, this work draws on various scenarios to illustrate the many faces of depression. It addresses such questions Why do we get depressed Are there different forms of depression Do hormones have a role to play Is the past important What is spiritual depression Offering professional knowledge and practical advice, including pen and paper exercises, this book should help people find freedom from their difficulties and move forward through knowing God.

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Michael Lawson is vicar of Christ Church, Bromley, England, He has an extensive background in pastoral care and counseling.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author distinguishes between "reactive" and "endogenous" depression (the former caused primarily by external factors -- e.g., situational stressors -- and the latter primarily caused by internal factors -- e.g., neurochemical imbalances in the brain) -- and focuses on the former ... which I think explains why the book largely doesn't speak to me.

This book largely focuses on how a better understanding of our past (ways we are conditioned to react to stressors, etc.) can help us deal with our present -- and has some good exercises for that. Which I appreciate, but they're clearly geared toward mild depression. Whereas I'm interested in how we deal with really severe depression.

The author discusses the story of Elijah as a warning against burnout -- which is interesting. I'm not sure I entirely buy it -- though I do support the list of Necessary Self-Care: adequate rest and nourishment, relationship with God, honest expression of feelings, manageable tasks, someone to share with (p. 92).

I didn't appreciate, in the chapter on suffering, the substitutionary atonement theology :/ (Jesus suffered to pay our debt -- p. 71)