unJoy

Author: Len Lantz, M.D.
Genre: Christian Living
Release Date: May 29, 2022
Publisher: Resource Publications

You can become fully free from depression.

Depression is real. It’s not your fault if you have it, but it is your responsibility to do something effective about it. Although depression is often stigmatized or ignored, Christians commonly experience it.

While it can sometimes feel like there are no solutions and that you can never escape depression, that isn’t true. In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Len Lantz addresses aspects of faith and mood while providing real answers about what works for depression and why.

In unJoy, Dr. Lantz shares engaging stories, common-sense reasoning, research-proven treatments, entertaining cartoons, and biblical encouragement for Christians struggling with “unJoy” and for their loved ones. There is hope and help for depression!

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Reviewer: Thomas Brown

This is a review of the book UnJoy by Dr. Len Lantz, MD.  I received a review copy courtesy of Dr. Lantz through Interviews & Reviews.

First, I should let you know my review, though not from a professional, does come from one who has experienced significant depression for most of my life.  I am serious about promoting the Gospel of God's grace and getting/staying well mentally.

This is a review from the trenches, written for people like me who battle this illness and those who support us.  UnJoy was written to be practical, and I greatly appreciate its insights. Only wishing I'd had them over a decade ago when I'd started my own professional treatment.

Dr. Lantz is himself a Christian and a psychiatrist, so his insights have the benefit of a viewpoint balancing multiple treatment options with Christian spiritual concerns.  UnJoy was written to give hope to Christians suffering under not only the weight of depression but the uber-spiritual stigmas that keep us stuck and shamed.  Many of us have heard the voice of Job's friends telling us that if we only had more faith or dealt with some sin, we wouldn't suffer.  Voices that tell us that receiving treatments like medication or therapy is somehow wrong.  I appreciate Dr. Lantz addressing such concerns.

While not everything in UnJoy is new to me, I believe it would benefit one new to psychiatric care and ease the same struggle I experienced with an overly cautious perspective.  I am giving UnJoy five stars due to the fact that the same treatments it recommends work for me on a daily basis.

I should also offer Dr. Lantz my apologies as this review was due some time ago, but, as I've said, my review is from the trenches–since receiving my copy, I was evicted from my housing and have been managing my spiritual and mental health from a homeless shelter.  My opinion is my own.

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Reviewer: Kevin Maltsberger

Depression is something many Christians deal with, and not many are willing to talk about. Dr. Len Lantz wrote the book unJoy, and it was a very welcome addition to my collection.

I am grateful to Dr. Lantz for giving me an open and honest book that isn't afraid to look depression right in the eye and challenge it to back down. Depression is a real pain, and this book gave me a real challenge and purpose on how to deal with it.

Integrating faith with his professional experience provides unique insight and hope for readers. The book was easy to read, with great examples of how to directly face and deal with issues. The questions at the end of each chapter provided a great and thought-provoking reaction and helped me to understand and face the challenge. Dr. Lentz's easy and comfortable language never feels like he's talking down to the reader, and his humility shines through.

So many times, depression is looked at with shame, but this book helps to negate that stigma and gives easy-to-understand drawings that are humorous and informative. His writing covers how medication and counseling are sometimes needed and where God lies in our struggle. 

I really enjoyed that there was a section for friends and family members of those dealing with depression. This book belongs in so many offices, houses, and churches.

I highly recommend this book and encourage the reader to go in with an open mind. His simple drawings, humble demeanor, and well-researched information are a welcome addition to a book that so many need to read.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Rob Seabrook

In the US, there are apparently 7 million Christians with depression. So no doubt there are proportionally similarly large numbers across other countries. Depression is a condition we have all encountered for a season or a long-term battle, whether personally or in those we love.

When coupled with a faith that, by its very nature, encourages joy or, in fact, expects it as an inherent fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the stigma of depression amongst Christians can be huge, even adding to the depth of suffering.

Len Lantz is clearly an expert physician specialising in treating people with depression and being a man of faith who can address that angle too. His advice is balanced, sensible and applicable, outlining the many practical steps to address the challenges of depression, whether the sufferer is a believer or not. It should also be welcome advice and support for the many Christians suffering from depression.

The book includes many Biblical pointers and is entirely wrapped in love, care and a desire to see everyone healed … it has a sound Christian attitude towards dealing with the problems, whether that solution comes from medical or spiritual support … ideally both.

There is also a reassuringly honest thread acknowledging that a sufferer of depression may experience stagnation or even a crisis of faith. At the very least, faith becomes more of a struggle. Sufferers are encouraged to persist, as faith can be a great source of strength. It is also an area where others can step into the breach and advocate until the sufferer is ready to pick it up again for themselves.

Most of all, the book highlights the need for all sufferers to not be ashamed. There is no failure. Having depression does not make you any less of a believer. It is a really helpful read to equip us to deal with the issues properly and, most of all, to not suffer alone. Seek help.

Len deals sensitively with the topics of treatments, talking therapies and medicines, fully aware of the way Christians can sometimes respond to both. There are many useful signposts to other resources if you need further information.

Throughout, Len stresses the importance of getting the right treatment for the correctly diagnosed condition. If this is an issue that affects you, then please seek help and support. It can’t be God's will that anyone should be left suffering and alone.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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