Sadness, Depression, and the Dark Night of the Soul ─ Transcending the Medicalisation of Sadness

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.

Gloria Dura-Vila is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist working in the Surrey and Borders NHS Trust. She was brought up as a Roman Catholic and has an interest in both religion and psychiatry. She is Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Mental Health Sciences at University College London and author of My Autism Book, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is based in London, UK.