Two-thirds of us will at some time experience symptoms of anxiety and depression of sufficient severity as to disrupt our lives. Christians are not exempt, and the problems caused in churches are many. I would like to try and describe things from the perspective of the patient, the pastor, the family and the doctor.
The patient's story
In patients' tales of unexpected sadness, there are many strands. One woman said she had lost the joy of the Lord, and blamed herself for it. I mistakenly sought to help her along spiritual lines, but what she said to me later was: 'Why didn't you tell me it was a physical illness?' She got better with the medication and treatment given to her, and recovered her joy.
A younger woman fell among exorcists in an Anglican church and had four hours of prayer and exorcism. She was extremely angry at what had been done to her. It had not helped her. She recovered with proper treatment and has stayed well.
