Surviving Depression : A Catholic Approach

If you have picked up this book, you are most likely wondering if“surviving” depression is possible for you or someone you know. Perhapsyou are grasping at one more glimmer of hope that your or another’sdepression might be lifted. It is estimated that one in ten Americans todaymeet the criteria for recurring depression. Almost half of these meet thecriteria for major depression.1 Major depression is the number onepsychological disorder in the western world.2 At the rate of increase ofinstances of depression that we are seeing today, particularly among theyoung, by 2020 depression will be the second most debilitating disease inthe western world.3 In recent years there has been a surge of informationabout depression in the clinical and popular arena. Talking about depressionand its effects on people’s lives has become acceptable even in publicprogramming on radio talk shows and television interviews, internet sites,blogs, Facebook pages, etc. However, the essential link between survivingthis illness and faith is still an area that cries out to be explored. I havereceived many letters and phone calls from people who have read the firstedition of Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach confirming that itwas precisely this link between what they were experiencing and faith thatwas the most helpful. The book has been translated into at least tenlanguages, indicating that depression, unfortunately, is a widespreadproblem.I am not a psychologist. I am not a theologian. My claim to credibility inwriting Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach is that I have beenseriously depressed and have spent a lot of time struggling with Godthrough the years I lived with depression. I know depression from theinside. I know the spiritual anguish it brings. I know the loneliness, theisolation, the fear of “losing it,” and I believe one truly understandsdepression not by studying or reading about it, but by living with it.

Depression can strike anyone, even those deeply committed to living the Christian life.

For over a decade, Surviving Depression has helped thousands of readers find a fresh approach to living through depression with faith and hope with:

Encouraging stories of saints and ordinary people who have lived with depression.

Insights and tools for dealing with depression from psychological, medical, and spiritual perspectives.

Tips for friends and family of the depressed.

What's wrong with me? Will this last forever? No one understands Why doesn't God heal me? How do I start? I just want to feel better I can't stop crying I'm going crazy! God, where are you? Don't look the other way Healings are not "success stories" Steps to inner peace. Depression can strike anyone, including those deeply committed to living the Christian life. The author offers the story of her personal journey, as well as those of other Catholics and saints who have experienced depression, exploring faith and spirituality.