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Sadness, Depression, and the Dark Night of the Soul: Transcending the Medicalisation of Sadness
Contributor(s): Durà-Vilà, Glòria (Author), Littlewood, Roland (Foreword by)
ISBN: 1785920561     ISBN-13: 9781785920561
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
OUR PRICE:   $42.75  
Product Type: Paperback
Published: January 2017
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Psychology | Psychopathology - Depression
- Religion | Christian Living - General
Dewey: 259.425
LCCN: 2016027457
Physical Information: 0.9" H x 6.2" W x 8.9" (1.05 lbs) 360 pages
Themes:
- Religious Orientation - Christian
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

Revealing a tension between the medical model of depression and the very different language of theology, this book explores how religious people and communities understand severe sadness, their coping mechanisms and their help-seeking behaviours.

Drawing from her study of practicing Catholics, contemplative monks and nuns, priests and laypeople studying theology, the author describes how symptoms that might otherwise be described as pathological and meet diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder are considered by some religious individuals to be normal and valued experiences. She explains how sadness fits into the 'Dark Night of the Soul' narrative - an active transformation of emotional distress into an essential ingredient for self-reflection and spiritual growth - and how sadness with a recognised cause is seen to 'make sense', whereas sadness without a cause may be seen to warrant psychiatric consultation. The author also discusses the role of the clergy in cases of sadness and depression and their collaboration with medical professionals.

This is an insightful read for anyone with an interest in theology or mental health, including clergy, psychiatrists and psychologists.

Contributor Bio(s): Dura-Vila, Gloria: - Dr Glòria Durà-Vilà is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist working in the Surrey and Borders NHS Trust with a main clinical interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is experienced in assessing, diagnosing and treating children and young people with ASD, and she works closely with parents and educational and social services. She is passionate about the importance of communicating the ASD diagnosis to parents and to the child in the best possible way. She is an Honorary Lecturer at University College London, Department of Mental Health Sciences.