When Life Goes Dark: Finding Hope in the Midst of Depression

Contemporary statistics show that depression is startlingly common—the plague of modern life. It can be hard to treat, and it’s painful not only to the sufferer but also to those around him or her. Winter (Perfecting Ourselves to Death), a psychiatrist and theology professor, helpfully surveys the field, explaining current understandings and research, sprinkling his exposition with illustrations drawn from his own life, both as a psychiatrist and as someone who has suffered major depression. He also draws on scripture, which can be particularly helpful to those who are religious and can find some relief and echo in the groaning and lamenting that scripture gives voice to. Theological understandings of depression are rare; most mental health practitioners will tread carefully around the subject of faith because discussing faith is usually off-limits. But for some who suffer depression, scripture’s “door of hope” can be part of a comprehensive therapeutic response to the plague of inner darkness. (June)