Serious depression: a story of hope
The following is an excerpt from the book Navigating Your Path Through Mental Illness (2023) by Dr. Steven Rice
Denise came to see me after being treated by several other psychiatrists. Denise is a Christian and had heard from several people that I am a Chris- tian doctor, and she felt this was important. When she came to my office, she said, “Dr. Rice, I understand that you are a Christian. I call myself a Christian and believe God’s grace covers other people, but because of my mistakes and sin, I don’t believe God’s grace covers me.”
Denise had a very loving and supportive primary family. Her husband was very involved in her care and wanted the best for her. He had researched electroconvulsive shock treatment, as well as other methods of treatment. He wanted his wife well and living a healthy life.
As I worked with Denise and delved into her past, I discovered she had a low self-image in spite of her caring family. “Dr. Rice, I know my husband and my children care about me. They tell me this every day. And I love them very much. I know they want me well and being involved in their lives. Sometimes I just can’t get out of bed and go to my children’s baseball games or their school plays. I know that hurts them; I just can’t make myself go. My husband keeps looking for treatment or ways for me to get well. I just don’t think God will help me. I have offended God too much.”
Denise’s depression continued, and she made two suicide attempts. She was hospitalized under my care. However, her husband continued to re- search treatments diligently and suggested a new drug. Because of the similarity to other medications that had been tried, it seemed like a long shot. After some careful research, I decided this drug sounded like a possible option. I brought the idea to Denise. She said, “But I have tried medications before, and they do not help.” But with encouragement and a plea to God over prayers, she agreed to give it a try.
Dr. Steven Rice is the author of Navigating Your Path Through Mental Illness: A Christian Guidebook (2023)
“Dr. Rice, I’m willing to try this drug. I want to get better. My husband and I continue to pray for an answer to my depression. I just have to believe there is an answer. Sometimes we lose all hope as I go through so many new bouts of depression. Sometimes I feel that God has abandoned me totally. But my husband continues to seek a cure.”
We tried the new drug with amazing results! Denise continued to get better and recover from her depression. The cloud that had so destroyed her life lifted, and she began to enjoy her family and their activities. Her faith in the Lord gradually returned. She forgot about the hopelessness of being the black sheep when compared to her sister. Her wish to die disappeared in about three weeks. The next time I saw her, we were all astounded with the improvements.
She never needed another hospital admission after the introduction of the then new medication, Invega.
In addition, she and her husband began going on mission trips. They were eventually instrumental in planting several churches, and her husband decided to quit his management job with a large company and go into full-time ministry.
Denise’s energy and mood improved until it was back to her baseline before the deep depression had hit her several years before. Do I think this medication was the reason for the improvement? There is no variable to explain the changes other than this medication.
The amazing thing is that I did not choose it because of something I read in a medical journal or book. It was so similar to other medications, I would never have chosen it. It was chosen because her husband asked me, “Could this help?” After trying about ten different medications, it seems amazing that this one worked.
