Matters of the Mind

by Marleen S. Williams, Dean Belnap, John P. Livingston

Early and appropriate treatment of mental illness can reduce much suffering for both those who are afflicted and those who love them. Edited by three notable LDS clinical psychologists, this comprehensive resource will help LDS families have a more accurate understanding of mental illness. It includes chapters on anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, cognitive disorders, and dozens of other mental illnesses. You'll learn how to strengthen spiritual, social, and emotional coping skills, and find out how mental illnesses can be treated and where to find competent help. Also great for LDS church leaders and others in counseling roles.

Genres: Religion, Psychology, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out about this book because it was recommended in Let's Talk About Religion and Mental Health by Daniel K. Judd which I also read recently and recommend. I purchased this book because it isn't in our local library system. I live in Utah, so we have most things published by Deseret Book. There aren't enough readily available resources for members of the Church who have loved ones who have mental illnesses. This should be in all the local libraries!

I wish I'd encountered this book years ago, but maybe I wasn't yet ready for it. Recently, our youngest daughter has been going through some serious mental health challenges. She has been experiencing these troubles for the past three years. We thought it was one very curable thing, but it turns out it's most likely another diagnosis that will require medication for the rest of her life. We are still in the phase where sometimes it's very easy to feel denial and doubt.

Mental illnesses can definitely be on a spectrum. They can be very complicated; therefore they can be hard to accurately diagnose. Our daughter is mostly normal as long as she's keeping up healthy habits. Also, since our daughter is an adult and is treatment resistant, we've been very limited in what we can do as her parents. Thankfully, she was forced into treatment, received a believable diagnosis, is now taking medication, goes to therapy, and is doing much better.

I'm especially grateful for the resources that are listed in this book. I want to look up the old Ensign articles related to my daughter's diagnosis. I also want to look into support groups and possibly into family therapy.

I like the large range of mental, neurological, and cognitive issues the book addresses. We have another daughter who has severe autism, which I hadn't really thought of as a mental health issue, but obviously it is. I've thought about her situation differently since she also has Down Syndrome and we have complete legal guardianship over her. She is clearly disabled and needs complete care.

So we have at least two adult children who have mental health issues. I say at least, because another daughter has sought mental health support, stayed fully functional, and has developed positive coping mechanisms to deal with her personal challenges. Other loved ones have used self-medicating techniques. Extended family members have mental health problems. It's a big deal.

This world we live in is so challenging! It's gotten more so since this book was published in 2008. All of us are likely to deal with levels of mental health challenges. I'd be really interested in reading an updated edition of this book.

I think the following quote is particularly funny in a dark sort of way; from page 269:

"Imagine going to sacrament meeting if you believe you are in danger because of a delusional fear of being infected with germs. Shaking hands with other people, sitting near someone who has a cough, taking the sacrament, which has been prepared by someone else's hands, all fill you with overwhelming fear."

Imagine if all your so-called obsessive-compulsive fears become realities during a pandemic!

I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has mental health challenges or who has loved ones who have mental challenges. It is like a textbook or reference book, but it's very helpful. I'm glad I own it. I will be referring back to it, re-reading it, and likely lending it to a couple of family members. I'm not sure it would be particularly helpful to my daughter with the recent diagnosis; she would have trouble reading it, but it definitely has increased my understanding in a broad sort of way.

[Rene Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I actually started this book in 2023 but didn't want to count it with my books for this year. Wasn't able to finish it because the loan ended before I could, but it was SO GOOD for what I did finish.

[Summer Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very insightful and uplifting. I came away from it feeling more educated on how to be more supportive and compassionate toward those managing a mental illness.

[Ryceejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it a 3.5. I liked the example stories; they illustrated each disorder well. I really did NOT care for the "How Can You Help Yourself?" sections. They really irked me. If I had schizophrenia, I probably would NOT be reading this book! The suggestions were really generic; after going on for six pages about how complicated treatment is, the authors would then make disingenuous suggestions. However, this book is a good reference to have on hand! It explains a lot of disorders in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

[Dany · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book, it's very clinical and has a lot of information. It is from an LDS perspective, but agree's that mental illness can't be prayed and fasted away, and although they agree that Priesthood blessings can ease anxiety, they display physical proof of the differences in the brain of many mental illness'

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book to help you understand many different mental illnesses and how to help them. The beginning has religious helps from scriptures and talks from LDS apostles and prophets.
This one is in my library to refer back to. I wish I had found this 12 years ago to help my husband with his depression!

[Chrissy Ciancanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by talented, compassionate professionals. Brings much needed hope and awareness to some of the most devastating illness we often encounter in our own lives or those we love. Alleviates suffering and anxiety by offering help and light to some of the most misunderstood afflictions. Great resource and help for every reader.

[Janiece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broad in scope (yay!) but not so muchin depth. A great addition to dispelling the myths and stigma of mental illness and understanding it from a gospel view point. Found some choice nuggets here. Recommended for everyone. Can be read all the way through or just used as a reference.

[Russ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information about mental illness from an LDS perspective. More a reference book than a straight read; still, full of useful information.

[Armatstorage]

It has some useful information. I recommend it to anyone wanting to understand more of the mind and it's matters(:

[Jodi Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a source and reference book than a cover-to-cover read.