Paul Meier is a Christian Psychologist. He believes that there is a spiritual and physical approach to mental illness. He explains what causes it, which is the lack of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals can be depleted by poor diet, by holding in anger, bitterness or guilt (which is where he advocates counseling and spiritual help) and a genetic problem, or 'blue genes.'If a person is lacking thyroid or insulin, we give them that substance and it brings their quality of life up to almost normal. Why the stigma with medicating the absence of certain chemicals in the brain? He does not believe there is one answer to the problem, but that the approach should be as varied as the individual.
He cites many cases of people who have come to him after psychotic breaks, severe depression, etc. Their lives and ministry all but at an end. After medication and counseling, they were able to resume their ministry and life. He also cites examples of many who were told their faith was lacking or that medicine was a lack of faith. Their lives were ruined and ended in institutions or suicide. For him, the sin is in rejecting the way God has provided healing.
What I like about the book is the straight-forward way he explains everything. I understand more of the mechanics of what happens in the brain when there is a lack of crucial chemicals. It also helps me understand what some of my loved ones are dealing with on a daily basis. ( )