Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach

by Kathryn J. Hermes

How would it feel to live through periods of emotional fragility and be surrounded by a supportive community, get up most mornings believing your life has meaning, and be confident that Jesus understands and holds your tears as sacred? It might seem an incredible dream, and almost impossible when we consider the feeling of utter emptiness, the collapse of the will to live, the devastating loss of self-worth that fills the heart of the person who lives with the heavy burden of depression or mental illness. Sr Kathryn Hermes knows the dull ache of depression firsthand and in Surviving Depression offers a practical method to progressively greater health and wholeness. Surviving Depression shows you how to take the first steps to healing and how to build into your life practices that will help you embark on a spiritual journey through the darkness. You will learn how to reconnect with your heart, build connections with others, grow in self-esteem, stop spiraling negative thoughts, and live with more inner peace and gratitude. This edition incorporates additional material that reflects new developments in wellness with regard to depression and is more grounded in the interlinking of God's life within us and our concrete psychological makeup. Practical tips for friends and family members of someone suffering with depression appear at the end of each chapter, as well as an entire chapter devoted to companioning a depressed friend. Things can be different. Surviving Depression will guide you from the winter of first diagnosis to the spring of new life.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Spirituality, Psychology, Christian

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Annie]

Depression isn't what happens when God punishes you for your life choices.

Depression isn't just when you make mistakes and think your life doesn't hold anything for you.

Depression isn't when no-one loves you.

Depression isn't when you're alone and longing for a relationship.

Depression isn't for people who are neurotic or hypersensitive or broken.

Depression happens anytime, to anyone, wherever they are in their lives. Maybe they are in college and lonely. Maybe they lost a job or ended a relationship or lost a loved one or developed a chronic illness.

Or maybe, even after you get a job and a cat and a fiance and the prospect of a brand new life together, you're still depressed.

Then you might need this book.

[Koreen]

This is the first Catholic book on depression/mental health I've come across that doesn't approach the topic with flowery, pseudo-inspirational fluff. Very representative and authentic with practical guidance on how to journey with someone who is depressed, including oneself.

[Anna-Maria]

One of the best books on depression and recovery out there.

[Lulu Hennessy]

It took me a year to read this because of my depression

I am so glad I kept coming back to it. It is filled with practical nuggets to help. It is also filled with Holy Spirit. As i read , each time that I could, in did not feel alone. Loneliness is one of the heaviest sufferings that come with depression. I hope to re-read it again

[Andrew]

Depression can be debilitating, especially for a Christian person. This book does a fantastic job of analyzing and offering possible answers and/or ways to cope with depression. It is both scientifically and theologically sound.

[Jocelyn Soriano]

very helpful book

[Beth]

Helpful examination of Catholic approaches to coping with depression.