I selected this book because it was the only kind i could find that tackled the difficult topic of how mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, exists withing the. Stephen saunders, this book takes an indepth look at mental illness while also offering grace and encouragement from gods word. This book is so helpful to understanding mental illnesses we are all plagued with and how sensitively a christian person can deal with it. Its important for people to understand mental illness. When someone you love suffers from depression or mental. When i was hospitalized in 1992 with severe clinical depression i thought i was the only one.
So if you are a christian with mental illness who is misunderstood by your church, like i have been many times in the past, i want to tell you that it is possible. Whether it is mental health for pastors or ways to integrate christian practices into counseling sessions, we have it below. This book is one of the more classic portrayals of mental illness and has helped many to understand the realities of these devastating diseases. List of books and articles about mental illness online. Mental illness, though, is a much more elusive creature. I recently read two articles by a well known christian author who is also closely connected to a christian counseling foundation.
Religion and spirituality in the treatment of mental illness. In troubled minds amy simpson, whose family knows the trauma and bewilderment of mental illness, reminds us that people with mental illness are our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in christ, and she shows us the path to loving them well and becoming a church that loves god with whole hearts and whole souls, with the strength we have and with minds that are whole as well as minds that are troubled. The christian response to mental illness is one of the great tragedies to ravage the church today. Discover the best popular psychology mental illness books in best sellers. Being christian and living with a mental illness twloha. The articles essentially argued that mental illness was a social construct created by secular doctors and psychiatrists, and therefore, is not biblical. Jul 08, 2018 the summer, a season known for slowing down, is the perfect time for catching up on the books collecting dust on your nightstand and getting a few new reads.
Thriving ministry series serving focus on the family. Davis may 23, 2016 may is mental health awareness month and a great time to explore the many writers who write on diverse topics related to mental health and mental illness. Dealing with mental illness, part i, read more about spiritual life growth, christian living, and faith. Aug 27, 2012 i had always wanted to write a book about my experience with mental illness and addiction. Feb 21, 2017 9 ya books about mental health hitting shelves in 2017. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. If youre a pastor, chances are, you have frequent interactions with people who live with mental illness.
However, that doesnt mean that there are not true physiological reasons behind mental illness. I think that a lot of the fear surrounding mental health issues is a lack of knowledge. The diagnostic and statistic manual of mental disorders dsm, the catalogue of mental illnesses created by the american psychiatric. Oct 04, 2016 will i ever be good enough healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers the first book for daughters who have suffered the abuse of selfish, selfinvolved mothers, will i ever be good enough. Suicide and the mental health crisis among african. All the while, she wrestled with her own bipolar disorder. This tragedy began with the rise of the medical model of mental illness. With no shortage of brains or heart, amy simpson courageously explores the realities of mental illness in the twentyfirst century. I was twelveyears old when i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. With mental illness on the rise, all church leaders would do well to read this theologically and psychologically compelling volume. Stanford presents insights into our physical and spiritual nature and discusses the appropriate role of psychology and psychiatry in the life of the believer.
The reality of itexposing my life on paperwas much harder than i had originally thought. She was the only person i knew with a mental illness, though no one ever called it that. Simpson likes this book because it is a good reference for understanding the issues as well as giving guidence for helping people with mental illness, and contains detailed information and biblical persepctives about various types of disorders. A christian guide to mental illness, volume 2 details how core ideas about. There are three points that i want to lay out to encourage all of us to confront effectively the stigma and issues of mental illness. May 23, 2016 the first glaring issue is that christians struggle with how to struggle with mental illness. The medical model used in the world of medicine has been hopelessly hijacked by those in the field of mental illness. Pastoral experience most pastors say they know people who have been diagnosed with mental illness, including clinical depression 74% and bipolar disorder 76%. As you face the uncertainty of tomorrow, these readings will help you keep you eyes on god in the midst of the trials. In his new book about the underlying causes of common mental illnesses and how to address them, bestselling author and. Mental illness and the churchs mission amy simpson february 19, 20. What are some good books about mental illness, fiction and.
In jesus day, the division we see between mind and body in todays society, did not exist. Beginning with his own experience, finnegan hosey shares ways communities of faith can be present with those suffering from mental illness and crises. The christian struggle with mental illness the exchange a. The bell jar by sylvia plath, all the bright places by jennifer niven, turtles all the way down by john green, its kind. Stanford is the cofounder and served as the executive director of the grace alliance, a faithbased, nonprofit mental health organization that provides services and support to individuals living with serious mental illness and their families. This book portrays the story of fox, who is very lonely, and star, who guides him through the. Christian books on mental health healthy mind ministry. Ankeny methodists mental health ministry also works with secular. May 31, 2016 why mental health awareness besides may being mental health awareness month. It doesnt explore mental illness so much as it talks about the horrors of murder. A christian guide to mental illness, volume 1nook book. What if i told you there are strong, biblebased, reasons not to spiritualise mental illness.
Though intended primarily for church workers, the book will provide any reader with the tools to understand and help their loved ones experiencing a mental. Actually take time to research mental health issues. This is an article for christians and those who love them and want to talk better with them. May 23, 2016 100 mustread books about mental illness sarah s.
Best books about mental illness score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. May 23, 2016 this book presents a great description of what its like to have obsessivecompulsive disorder and the ways in which art can influence recovery. The christian post interviewed bible teacher and author jennie allen about her book and the topics it touches on, including selfhelp, mental. Eight mustread books about mental illness the well community. I didnt know of one other christian struggling with any form of mental illness. When someone you love suffers from depression or mental illness. I am a christian, and i have mental illnesses the mighty.
Eight mustread books about mental illness knowledge about mental illnesses and the people who struggle with them can go a long way in empowering you to come alongside friends and family members dealing with these conditions. A cold, the flu, shinglesthey all have visual cues and standard treatments and resolve on their own over a few weeks. May, 2016 5 new childrens books your kid needs to read about mental health. We must be careful not to blanket all mental illness in either one camp or the other. In many ways, the church, the supposed haven for sufferers, is not a safe place for those who struggle. Although our present chaos will probably last at least a decade past the publication of the dsmv in 2012, all who long for the replacement of this strange and primitive answer to the question what is mental illness. As i see the widespread presence and pain of mental illness, another reality confronts me. If left untreated, mental problems can result in severe disadvantage. This book deals primarily with the trauma of abuse, both. Mar 19, 2015 theravive therapy news and blogging there are many challenges facing the care of persons with mental illness. My top 5 books on mental illness christianity today. Mar 11, 2017 its easy to diagnose and treat a broken leg.
For example, ive heard way too many times by christians, especially very conservative ones, that depression is a madeup illness. The national alliance on mental illness gave iowa, and 20 other states, its secondtoworst rating for mental health care. Poussaints book offers a clinical examination of the dissonance between. For me, mental illness is where grace and real life have. Mental illness is a psychological or behavioral disorder, characterized by impairment of the persons cognitive, emotional and mental capacity. When someone you love suffers from depression or mental illness 97808341248 by cecil murphey. Best sellers in popular psychology mental illness books. Jan 24, 2018 10 new books about mental illness to read in 2018. Publishing a book on mental illness and addiction healthyplace. Most people who have been diagnosed face stigma from multiple directions, such as society, friends, family and health care practitioners and face obstacles to the best course of treatment depending on the philosophies of their healthcare provider.
The injury is visually evident, and, for the most part, the treatment is the same regardless of the patient. A clinical and biblical perspective on mental illness and the biology of sin. I had never attended a funeral of a suicide victim before hers, and i had never been told a brain could be ill. Some of the other titles in this thread definitely take a closer look at mental disorders. Grace for the afflicted is written to educate christians about mental illness from both biblical and scientific perspectives. Subtitled, a christian response to mental illness, the book is not so much a chronicle of her experience as it is one of her effort to find meaning in that. There are churches like mine that will understand and love you. The christian struggle with mental illness the exchange. The condition can curtail the ability of the individual to live independently and develop his or her potential. Saunders describes many common mental afflictions in great detail, including their symptoms, risk factors, and the effects they can have on loved ones. Christian reflections on mental illness the gospel coalition. What is mental illness mcnally, richard j 9780674066205. Mcnally psychologyharvard univ remembering trauma, 2003, etc.
To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. Why did you decide to be so vulnerable in your book. In cold blood isnt really about mental illness either. Top 10 resources for mental health ministry ct pastors. Those same forces accompanied her into the black religious traditions and christian ministry. The first glaring issue is that christians struggle with how to struggle with mental illness. Books, websites, organizations, and people who can help you help those with mental illness and their families. So, when a person is depressed, he is really just experiencing. Books we recommend you read church and mental health. The summer, a season known for slowing down, is the perfect time for catching up on the books collecting dust on your nightstand and getting a few.