Saints and depression.

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bpbasilphx

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I’m posting this question to the TCF too, because I’m seeking information.

I’m aware of two Orthodox saints who apparently suffered from clinical depression (or “involutional melancholia” as it was called once upon a time): St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and Hieromartyr Mitrophanes of China.

Does any know any more saints of any Church who suffered clinical depression as well?
 
Supposedly many did. I just heard this within the last few days on EWTN radio. I thought Teresa of Avila, Francis of Assisi and “many others” were mentioned, but perhaps someone who heard the show can correct or enlarge. I think one of Fr. Corapi’s recently re-broadcast talks mentioned it.

In many of the writings by the mystics that I have read, much of the language reads very much like symptoms of clinical depression. Naturally, though, one has to be careful to distinguish between the dark spiritual night and the dark emotional night, even when/if they overlap. It is actually conceivable that overlapping is common, since very sensitive, very perceptive people are more prone to depression, as well as more receptive to the experience of God.
 
bpbasilphx said:
I’m posting this question to the TCF too, because I’m seeking information.

I’m aware of two Orthodox saints who apparently suffered from clinical depression (or “involutional melancholia” as it was called once upon a time): St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and Hieromartyr Mitrophanes of China.

Does any know any more saints of any Church who suffered clinical depression as well?
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A Catholic psychologist told me that St. John of the Cross is thought to have suffered clinical depression. The introduction to my copy of Dark Night of the Soul mentions this claim as well, but distinguishes the experiences of the dark night of the soul from depression.
 
One of my favorite Saint, Saint Joseph of Cupertino, I would imagine suffered from a type of depression. But his loving heart is so strong. He suffers so greatly in that he is rejected from right to left. His family wanted to get rid of him, his brothers could not handle his moments of ecstasy. He was persecuted by superiors at some points in his life. He was the center of gossip and ridicule as well as amazement. And when others ask him why is he doing some of the most difficult and avoided work, his response was, in effect, I cannot do anything more.

Hopefully I am not projecting on a great man =). However, I love him so much because he is my inspiration. I fail at so many things in my life, get dazed, confused, and lost so often. And I have been rejected by those I love countless times only to be taken back when I cannot survive on my own. But he shows me that in this sadness there is great joy. The joy of love and being loved.

I guess this is a roundabout way of saying I recognize his words and actions as a man who suffers from many clinical problems including depression. However, he never seems to suffer any bouts for long. A day maybe, or two. He suffers continuously but he also forgets his suffering continuously. He is just too amazing.
 
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