About the Book

Book: Overcome Depression

Author: Margaret Lalich

Genre: Non-fiction/self-help/Christian growth

Release Date: March 22, 2019

BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE SHINES NEW LIGHT ON HOLY SCRIPTURES. “…pulls back the curtain to clearly & simply reveal how our mind works… A fun and eye-opening book” Karl Benzio, M.D., Medical Director: Honey Lake Clinic & Lighthouse Network.

This faith-based, reader friendly guide offers more than 100 self-help strategies and recovery skills for coping with depression. Brain Science and evidence based therapeutic practices offer hands-on, practical tools for immediate use.

“Amazing book! I have read so many books on depression and this is the only one that has truly helped me.”—Wendy Freeman, California

“…an amazing book on overcoming depression… deep, and yet understandable… a very practical and encouraging book about a very dark subject.”—Bill Walden, Pastor Cornerstone Ministries, Ca.

About the Author

Margaret Lalich is a believer, a lover (family, friends and others), a relentless optimist, and a Certified Laughter Leader. Before becoming a college freshman (in her 30’s), she chose a teen marriage over graduation.  Later adventures, and mid-life corrections, led to completion of her M.S. and M.A. degrees and a 31-year career as a clinician and teacher, within mental health.

Laughter and tears are both found in experience. Tears can wash away emotional rubble, and laughter can be a ‘bungee-cord’ safety-life-line. If we fall into a pit of despair, laughter helps us rebound and boosts our climb. Margaret loves to share it.

Margaret is a mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma who writes stories and non-fiction – highlighting experience, science, strategies, and hope. She wants to connect with readers — helping them find (and use) their gifts, and to live their own definition of ‘success’ – to the Glory of God.

More from Margaret

I have been asked WHY I wanted to write this book.  It’s because I ache for believers who suffer the pain of depression – and then add guilt, embarrassment, loss of hope, or helplessness to it. I want them to know they are heroes – not zeroes (no matter how they’re feeling). I want to share strategies, encouragement and the sheer excitement of scientific discovery that proves we have more power than we may have imagined, to help us climb out of the ‘pit’.

Yes, I am a bit of a cheerleader, and at times a clown – but I’m also a researcher and a clinician who has shared the wonder of such discoveries with more than a thousand patients. I have also been asked how long it took to finish this book. Not too long … just 31 years to learn and live it – and 3 years to research and write it.  Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 1.

First Things First:  Christians and Depression

“ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Church is not a museum for perfect saints — it’s a first aid station for sinners who keep trying. I can’t recall the name of the pastor, who delivered that line, but his message resonated with me then and it still does today. I want to contribute to First-Aid supplies

God says He is for us, and we are loved. We can trust, and we must believe His Word. But, it can be hard to reconcile faith with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. If you have struggled with this – you’re not alone. Right from the start, you need to know you are loved. We’re in this together.

Doubts and fears can seed questions such as:

“What’s happening?”

“Why?”

“Now what?”

If you ask these questions, be assured God hears the cry of your heart. By His grace, we will explore answers together. Yes, there are answers. Yes, there is hope and help that you can use – right where you are, starting now.

…Blame is a distraction. We cast blame on ourselves with hurtful thinking when we think or say things like: “If I had enough faith this wouldn’t happen.” Or, “ I should be stronger …  blah, blah, blah.”  Don’t surrender to this way of thinking.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

There has been a revolution in the study of the brain (neuroscience). We’ve started to understand brain-works, and can now answer the first of our opening questions: “What’s happening?” With today’s technology and new imaging systems we can see the brain in action as thoughts, and new learning, form physical links, creating neural patterns and pathways within the brain.

The glory of God is revealed as we discover more of His divine design, and watch new scientific findings align with the old wisdom of God’s word for mankind.  Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” We have learned that what we think helps to form who, and what we are. We can use this knowledge to build recovery skills.

One of the first things that caught my attention was this statement from the author; " One of the first things we must do is to get rid of judgment."  I know first hand what it is like to feel inadequate, shunned and forgotten as I deal with PTSD everyday. Yes I suffer from depression and anxiety. I started reading this book with a guarded heart. There have been a lot of books recently about depression and some have not been exactly helpful.

I didn't care much for the chapters that goes into detail about the brain and neurons, etc. That for me was not helpful but I am not really a science kind of person. I'm  sure there are helpful subjects in the chapters but I wanted to get to where I could find useful tools to help me. I did like the idea of a journal. I am a huge fan of journals and always have one handy. As I read the book, I jotted down my thoughts and some very useful statements that I will go back and re read. 

I have to say that I became so focused on the book as the author delved into what depression is and is not with relief. Finally someone has said that depression is not a sin. Taking medication for some is okay and should not be looked at as weakness. The author makes a valid point about taking medication for diabetes or other illnesses.  Mental illness is treated differently in each person. Some can change their diet and exercise, while others need help through medication.  

The book is filled with helpful information which I needed to read. I  liked how the different treatments were explained and how therapy groups can be helpful for some.  Each chapter has scriptures and exercises to do at the end that focus on getting healthy. At the end of the book, I took a deep breath.  I pondered on what I just read and felt ready to apply what I had learned. This has been a journey for me and I will continue to go over the chapters and remember that I am not alone.

"Reaching out for help is a sign of strength-not weakness."

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

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Donny Abbott, October 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 21

EmpowerMoms, October 22

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

janicesbookreviews, October 25

A Reader’s Brain, October 26

Simple Harvest Reads, October 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28

Inklings and notions, October 29

Kelly Harrel, October 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Margaret is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book, a refreshment package, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed8f/overcome-depression-celebration-tour-giveaway