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Broken Minds: Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It
A deeply personal, yet practical, book for Christians who are clinically depressed or have been diagnosed with a mental illness.
Mental illness. Those words bring to mind frightening scenes of padded walls, white straightjackets, and screaming people. But mental illness is often much more subtle--and much more prevalent than we imagine. Unfortunately, people who are diagnosed as being mentally ill may not understand what is happening to them. And for Christians, some "helpful" leaders heap on guilt, saying that the problem is spiritual rather than physical in nature.
This book takes Steve's personal story of major depression and weaves through it Robyn's insights and Steve's professional knowledge. The result is a tapestry of practical information--including definitions, treatment options, government services available, and interactions with the church and God--and a deep compassion for those who feel like their world is falling apart.
Mental illness. Those words bring to mind frightening scenes of padded walls, white straightjackets, and screaming people. But mental illness is often much more subtle--and much more prevalent than we imagine. Unfortunately, people who are diagnosed as being mentally ill may not understand what is happening to them. And for Christians, some "helpful" leaders heap on guilt, saying that the problem is spiritual rather than physical in nature.
This book takes Steve's personal story of major depression and weaves through it Robyn's insights and Steve's professional knowledge. The result is a tapestry of practical information--including definitions, treatment options, government services available, and interactions with the church and God--and a deep compassion for those who feel like their world is falling apart.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1985
11 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Steve Bloem
3 books2 followersSteve Bloem (B.A., Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Mich.; M.Min. Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit,
Penn.) has been a children's therapist to socially and emotionally disturbed youth and has been involved in clinical counseling/case management for a mental health agency. He is presently in private practice as the Director of Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, Inc.
He has struggled with depression for over twenty years.
Robyn Bloem has reared their four children, ministered as a Ladies Bible Study teacher and worked with the mentally ill homeless population in the inner city. She also counsels women who have suffered the loss of a child.
The authors have been married for twenty-nine years and have three sons and one daughter, Lindsay Ruth, who has been in heaven since 2001."
Penn.) has been a children's therapist to socially and emotionally disturbed youth and has been involved in clinical counseling/case management for a mental health agency. He is presently in private practice as the Director of Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, Inc.
He has struggled with depression for over twenty years.
Robyn Bloem has reared their four children, ministered as a Ladies Bible Study teacher and worked with the mentally ill homeless population in the inner city. She also counsels women who have suffered the loss of a child.
The authors have been married for twenty-nine years and have three sons and one daughter, Lindsay Ruth, who has been in heaven since 2001."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 20, 2009
I am glad that I did read it when I was in my adult depression and panic attacks section of my life, it actually made me feel stronger than I thought I was. I realized that it could be worse, a lot worse.
July 1, 2019
A very helpful read that will be a valuable reference going forward. Gives me more empathy for those suffering from mental illness. Challenged some of my preconceptions. Definitely worth reading and referring to in the future.
April 15, 2012
This is an excellent, well-written book, one that uses not only the authors' own experiences with the husband's major depression, but uses his research into mental illness and experience as a faith-based counselor as well.
The biggest issue I have came at the end when, after urging so much caution and compassion when dealing with those who suffer from mental illnesses, Steve Bloem had none for those who deal with drug abuse or alcoholism. He tried to use Scriptures to bolster his position, but with very little of the same depth and exegesis that he did in earlier chapters when dealing with depression.
I could see where he was coming from, but his words totally lacked any mercy or understanding, and he completely disregarded any evidence that some who are drug or alcohol abuser become so *because* they are mentally ill. The very reason he chose to write this book in the first place was to engender and encourage those in the pastoral field to a better study of mental illness in Scripture and to a better treatment of those in their flocks who suffer from such diseases. But then he turns around and leaves others in need high and dry.
It reminded me of Jesus' parable of the two men who owed money. One owed 10,000 talents and could not pay. When he was about to be thrown in prison, he begged for mercy and promised to pay. The judge had mercy on him and let him go. Immediately, this man who had owed 10,000 talents went out and found a man who owed him 1,000 pence - and demanded payment. When the second man could not pay - the first man threw him in jail and seized all his property - including his wife and children - forgetting the mercy that had just been shown to him.
When the judge found out - he came and took the first man, seized all of *his* property, and put him in prison to stay.
What goes around comes around.
The biggest issue I have came at the end when, after urging so much caution and compassion when dealing with those who suffer from mental illnesses, Steve Bloem had none for those who deal with drug abuse or alcoholism. He tried to use Scriptures to bolster his position, but with very little of the same depth and exegesis that he did in earlier chapters when dealing with depression.
I could see where he was coming from, but his words totally lacked any mercy or understanding, and he completely disregarded any evidence that some who are drug or alcohol abuser become so *because* they are mentally ill. The very reason he chose to write this book in the first place was to engender and encourage those in the pastoral field to a better study of mental illness in Scripture and to a better treatment of those in their flocks who suffer from such diseases. But then he turns around and leaves others in need high and dry.
It reminded me of Jesus' parable of the two men who owed money. One owed 10,000 talents and could not pay. When he was about to be thrown in prison, he begged for mercy and promised to pay. The judge had mercy on him and let him go. Immediately, this man who had owed 10,000 talents went out and found a man who owed him 1,000 pence - and demanded payment. When the second man could not pay - the first man threw him in jail and seized all his property - including his wife and children - forgetting the mercy that had just been shown to him.
When the judge found out - he came and took the first man, seized all of *his* property, and put him in prison to stay.
What goes around comes around.
January 19, 2016
This book started out really interesting -- I loved the personal stories and testimony from the perspectives of both the author and his wife. But then it started jumping around and felt really confusing. Every chapter didn't feel like a normal progression, it just felt like they were rehashing the same things over and over again. Also, for the last half of the book, it went into more depression research mode, and I could barely stay awake. The writing was very dull at this point, and I couldn't pay attention. I wish I could recommend this book, but it really didn't have many helpful takeaways at all.
June 17, 2013
The best book I have read so far on depression from a Christian perspective.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews