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Depression: Biological and Spiritual Aspects by Dr. Benjamin Brits 98 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0459; ISBN 1-4120-2631-8; US$14.00, C$17.88, EUR10.88, £8.00 Unique explanation of the meaning, physiology and psychology of depressive disorders. Hope for depressed Christians to receive treatment as gifts from God and their relationship with Him is expounded.
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about the book
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About the Book
Most books dealing with this subject are either written by Pastors or Psychiatrists or other mental health workers. A Psychiatrist who also holds qualifications in Theology wrote this book. This book is a unique account of the definition, causes, treatment and spiritual aspects regarding the term "depression". The first part explains what the different entities of depression entail. It explains the complexity of the human brain, and how it can lead to depressive disorders, in understandable language. It explains the treatment options and the rationale behind them. The method of diagnosing different mood disorders and understanding them is explained.
The second part deals with the question of criticism from some Christian sectors to accept psychiatric and psychological treatment. The benefit of appropriate treatment is expounded. The reality of major depression in Christians and the hope they can find in treatment is clarified. The experience of emotional and mood disorders does not negate faith and its truth in the life of a Christian suffering from such a disorder. This fact is underlined in vivid biblical language to bring hope for those who are suffering from such a disorder. It is a valuable resource for them as well as those close to them. Pastors, counselors and other pastoral workers have found the information in this book very informative and useful in their encounters with people suffering from a depressive disorder.
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About the Author
Dr. Benjamin Brits obtained a degree in Zoology, Anatomy and Histology. He then studied medicine. He qualified as a medical doctor and worked in all disciplines of medicine for a number of years in various hospitals. He then spent time practicing as a family doctor while he also obtained further qualifications in Clinical Pharmacology. His interest in neurobiology and human behavior caused him to qualify as a specialist Psychiatrist. He has practiced as a consultant Psychiatrist in private practice and in State institutions in various countries. He also lectured in Psychiatry at a medical school for some time. He obtained a degree in Theology and did post graduate studies in Pastoral counseling as he realized the need to be able to substantiate his profession as a Christian. He is married to Magda who has a passion for pastoring the ill. They have four children.
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Excerpts
INTRODUCTION
Depression is a term that is very loosely used and
may refer to many different types of entities. It is often
thought that it must only occur in disaster or in the
face of death. It is true that stressors can cause or
exacerbate depression, but this need not be the case.
People with depressive illness often declare that they
have nothing to worry about, but still feel lousy.
Kubler-Ross and other thanatologists describe the
"phases of dying" as denial and isolation, anger,
bargaining, depression and acceptance. These are
however not a fixed fact with a definitive chronological
sequence. Many dying people would skip some of the
phases or some would never come to the "final" phase
of acceptance. Many of the phases will not be clearly
separated by clear delineation of different phases. The
emotions and actions implied in these phases are often
concurrent and past emotions can often arise again in
a later stage of the dying process.
The phases of dying are not limited to the person
involved, but extend to his or her loved ones. Anger is
sometimes the first emotion displayed when a
diagnosis of a life-threatening condition is made.
Bargaining and some denial can sometimes appear
even after some "acceptance" has been reached.
The most pervasive phenomenon I have seen that is
experienced by dying people and those close to them is
depression. Both, the terminally ill person and his or
her significant others can experience depression
linked to the dying process. This depression is ascribed
to the many losses involved in the process.
The use of the word "depression" needs to be
qualified in general conversation and clinical context.
The lack of understanding the term depression and the
wide semantics of the word leads to confusion of
exactly what it refers to. Many people have a distorted
idea of what depression' means and it is important to
clarify the different entities of the term. The lack of
clearly knowing exactly what one is referring to and
the lack of understanding the causes of depression
makes a person who wants to give advice without the
relevant knowledge dangerous.
This book will try to explain the elementary
neurobiology of depression. It is important to realize
that it is an expression of mood and can lead to a
disorder that has a physiological basis and must be
treated. It must not be confused with or ascribed to
only a spiritual problem.
It is often assumed that a depressed person must
have a concrete reason for it. The person who is
confronted by a life threatening condition or those
who love him or her are thus seen as having a good
reason for feeling despair. Those who have everything
in place should thus not experience depression
according to this perception, this is incorrect. If we
understand something about the neurobiology of
depression, the use of the term, different personality
traits and the treatment of clinical depression a
sensible person will not be mislead by those who have
a lot to say about the subject with no knowledge about
it. These people often use words from the Bible that
need not refer to clinical depression and make
incorrect and often destructive statements.
VII. MANAGEMENT OF MOOD DISORDERS.
It is useful to consider the biological, psychological
and sociological factors in the management of people
with mood disorders. It is often of no value to try and
do psychotherapy or counseling in the person with
acute serious symptoms of a major depressive episode
as the "chemical imbalance" in the brain causes him or
her not to have sufficient energy or the ability to
concentrate to benefit from "talking" therapy. It is
then rather indicated to treat the situation
pharmacologically before initiating psychotherapy or
counseling.
A. Biological (Pharmacotherapy- Drugs and ECT).
1.Antidepressants.The gist of the aim of the
biological treatment for depressive disorders was
discussed under "neurotransmitters".
The antidepressants aim to increase the available
neurotransmitters for binding on the correct receptors
and increase the active availability of
neurotransmitters that are depleted in depressive
disorders.
a. MAO inhibitors and Tricyclic antidepressants
(older drugs). MAO inhibitors block the enzyme MAO
that prevents the breakdown of Nor-Epinephrine
(NE). It was noticed that patients treated for TB with a
new anti-TB drug in 1953 had significant improvement
in their mood. When analyzed it was discovered "by
chance" that it inhibited MAO. These drugs are not
often used anymore because of its potential dangerous
interaction with certain foods. A safer version called
Moclobemide is available, but not very popular any
longer...
A TIME TO SPEAK, A TIME TO BE SILENT.
A. God provides in the natural realm.
Jesus stated that Is 61:1,2 was fulfilled in Him (Luke
4:18,19). He came to preach the good news to the poor,
to proclaim freedom for prisoners, recover the sight of
the blind and to release the oppressed. This indicates
the salvation He made possible but also the physical,
emotional and spiritual healing He made possible.
Some preachers use verses like John 14:12 and
16:24 to declare that they can ask for anything in
Jesus' name and it will be possible to do "greater
things" than the miracles seen during His earthly
ministry. These verses do not imply a blank cheque
from Jesus to perform instant miracles. Jesus did not
say that these things would be instantaneous or
spectacular or above God's sovereign will. The
prerequisite for understanding the use of the name of
Jesus is remaining in His words. The motive for
seeking the healing or spiritual well being of other
people should always be Christ's love and not trying to
prove a person's "great faith".
Christians have to continue Christ's work as He
taught the Apostles to love like He did with
compassion for those in need. The church is also
encouraged to be sympathetic, to love as brothers and
to be compassionate and humble ( 1 Pet 3:8).
God has given us so many modalities today in which
His love can be seen. Why should we not see the
miraculous progress made in medical treatment, the
understanding of the psyche and social intervention.
In no way can supernatural healing be denied, but do
we fail to see God's hand in other cures, which we see
as scientific achievements and see an organ transplant
as a "normal" occurrence?
Catalogue Information
