Customer Reviews

New Light on Depression: Help, Hope, and Answers for the Depressed and Those Who Love Them

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"New Light on Depression" offers a rare combination--medically reliable research and biblically sound insight. Co-author David Biebel uses his theological training to explore "faith, hope, and love" as a model for facing depression; while co-author Harold Koenig uses his training as a psychiatrist and researcher to probe biological and medical elements of depression. The end result is a well-written, easy-to-read wholistic volume on the causes, cure, and care of depression. Of course, given their integration of biblical principles and secular science, they will likely be criticized by folks on either extreme. However, for a well-reasoned, balanced, and up-to-date analysis of depression, this is a great place to begin.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."

Finally! A book with a medical point of view and a religious one. This book is by far my favorite book on depression. It is easy to read and dispels the myths associated with mental illness. I would recommend anyone with a mental illness read this book. It's not only for people with depression. I have a hard time putting it down, once I start reading it. This would also be a good book for some religious leaders to read who think mental illness can be controlled by prayers alone. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are helpful also.

This is one of the few books that I have read by a Christian author that talks about how medication can help depression, rather than relying on prayer alone. I have gotten a lot of comfort from this book in knowing that I am not alone and that medication may be medically necessary at times and doesn't mean that one is a bad Christian. Anyone who suffers from clinical depression and their family members should read this book.

This is by far the best book I've ever read on depression. It is written in easy to read language and covers all the angles and perspective views out there. I highly recommend this book to any person who lives with someone with depression as well as the person themself. It explains a lot about this disease.

Finally a book that cares about those who are depressed and their loved ones. A spiritual and medical guide to the hidden and silent illness of depression. Practical knowledge that will inspire you to not just read it, but to use it to help others.

I've tried many different books on how to understand and treat depression, particularly from a Christian perspective. This one, I believe, comes out on top.

It's well-researched, fairly easy to read, and has a great balanced, multi-disciplinary approach that tackles the issue from every perspective: spiritual, medical, physiological, genetic, and psychological. The authors seem to really grasp the challenges faced by those who are depressed and those that attempt to care for them. They also seem very well grounded in the latest medical research as well the spiritual elements that can contribute to depression as well as aid in the recovery.

For those experiencing major depression I would encourage them to read it alongside another person for support. Some sections can prove a little discouraging or even overwhelming when read alone. But with another person to offer perspective, or perhaps to pre-read sections and pick out the highlights, it should be a really beneficial process.

I'm currently reading through the book again with my sister and know this will stick on my personal bookshelf for a long time to come.