In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Dr. Charles Hodges about his book, Good Mood, Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. During the conversation, Dr. Hodges summarizes the current diagnostic criteria for depression and bipolar disorder, and describes the differences between "normal" and "disordered" sadness. He also explains why recent scientific findings pertaining to brain plasticity offer hope to those labeled with mood disorders and suggests why over-identifying with a psychological diagnosis can stunt spiritual growth. Lastly, Dr. Hodges highlights the importance of setting God-oriented goals with counselees labeled with bipolar disorder, and offers words of encouragement for sufferers feeling hopeless for meaningful life change.
Our label-oriented society is struggling under the medical impression that once we are diagnosed with a mood disorder, our brains (and our lives) will never change unless medically altered. It is good to know from recent science that our brains can change in response to our thoughts and actions.
About the Podcast
The Hope + Help Podcast offers compassionate biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Listeners can expect to receive biblical wisdom as well as practical steps for facing suffering, struggling, and sin with courage and grace. Hosted by author/writer Christine M. Chappell.
About the Guest
Dr. Charles Hodges is a family physician who practices medicine in Indiana, is board certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics, and is a licensed marital family therapist. He is also the Executive Director of Vision of Hope, which is a residential facility for women who struggle with eating disorders, self-harm, OCD, substance abuse, and other problems. Dr. Hodges is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine, Liberty University, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with degrees in medicine, counseling, and religion. He teaches and counsels at the Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry and also teaches on medical subjects in biblical counseling around the country and abroad. He and his wife, Helen, have 4 children and 13 grandchildren.
About the Book
Friendship is one of the deepest pleasures of life. But in our busy, fast-paced, mobile world, we’ve lost this rich view of friendship and instead settled for shallow acquaintances based on little more than similar tastes or shared interests.
Helping us recapture a vision of true friendship, pastor Drew Hunter explores God’s design for friendship and what it really looks like in practice―giving us practical advice to cultivate the kinds of true friendships that lead to true and life-giving joy.
About Your Host
Christine M. Chappell
Christine is a certified biblical counselor and host of the Hope + Help Podcast for the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship. She is the author of several books and minibooks, including Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood, Postpartum Depression: Hope for a Hard Season, and Help! I’ve Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder. She currently serves as a council member for the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and is a regular speaker at women’s events and conferences. Christine lives in South Carolina with her husband and children, and is an active member of her local church.
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