Catholic Guide to Depression

By: Aaron Kheriaty, Fr. John Cihak

Narrated by: Sonny Dufault

Countless Christians, including scores of saints, have suffered the profound, pervasive sorrow that modern psychiatrists call depression. Then, as now, great faith and even fervent spiritual practices have generally failed to ease this wearying desolation of the soul.

Catholic psychiatrist Aaron Kheriaty reviews the effective ways that have recently been devised to deal with this grave and sometimes deadly affliction - ways that are not only consistent with the teachings of the Church but even rooted in many of those teachings.

Extensive clinical experience in treating patients with depression has shown Dr. Kheriaty that the confessional can't cure neuroses, nor can the couch forgive sin. Healing comes only when we integrate the legitimate discoveries of modern psychology and pharmacology with spiritual direction and the sacraments, giving particular attention to the wisdom of the Church fathers and the saints.

Here, with the expert help of Dr. Kheriaty, you'll learn how to distinguish depression from similar-looking but fundamentally different mental states, such as guilt, sloth, the darkness of sin, and the sublime desolation called the "dark night of the soul" that is, in fact, a privileged spiritual trial sent to good souls as a special gift from God.

You'll come to know how to identify the various types of depression and come to understand the interplay of their often manifold causes - biological, psychological, behavioral, cultural, and, yes, moral.

Then you'll learn about exciting breakthroughs in pharmacological and other medical treatments, the benefits and limitations of psychotherapy, the critical place that spiritual direction must have in your healing, and the vital role that Christian hope can play in driving out depression.

©2012 Sophia Institute Press (P)2015 Sophia Institute Press

Extremely informative

I found this book to be full of common sense approaches to everyday stressors.

Well done.

Extraordinarily helpful!

I was skeptical when I bought this audiobook on depression. But I was so suprised by the depth of the knowledge in both psychiatry and traditional Catholicism when I started the book. I am a catholic physician who has some experience with the topic of depression, after hearing this book, my understanding of both the disease and treatment through the great spiritual directors of the past has increased tremendously! I highly recommend it to all catholics who wants to understand depression better.

An Important Book

This is an important book for Catholic Christians. It has a good anthropological understanding. It's an important book for pastoral care providers, as it emphasizes the need for holistic care of the human person, which includes their spiritual health along with the common treatment for depression nowadays.

Very good broad overview

Understanding how faith and depression can intertwine but is never an evil given by God.

Hope and positivity and gratitude

I like the unveiling of God’s presence and love in the midst of depression . This knowledge leads to hope and gratitude!

Well balanced presentation

Depression is becoming an epidemic in the USA. This book is a great help to understand this disease and ways to find a cure or how to live with its effects.

Help the one that you love!

Very much a whole human perspective to help cope with depression. Filled with love and hope! I highly recommend!

Extremely helpful...

It helps to put everything in perspective mentally, emotionally and spiritually... Thank you Dr. Aaron Kheriaty for such an amazing book!

Excellent Read about Depression

This was a very informative book for those who feel that they or a loved one is suffering from depression. The best part is that it's written with a strong Catholic Christian influence. Two thumbs up! :-)

Vastly Helpful

A scientific and faith-based explanation of causess, symptoms, and treatments for various mental disorders involving depression.