Hulme was a teacher of pastoral care in seminaries but after a hospital stay for pneumonia he developed clinical depression. He rejected treatment due to paranoia, isolated himself from friends and family, refused to eat and drink, lost his faith and became psychotic. A friend who had also gone through a depression visited him faithfully and his wife got a court order to administer shock treatments, which worked. His last treatment was on Good Friday, and on Easter he was in church. He regained his health, faith and relationships.
Things to remember in counseling:
1. The family needs help.
2. Depression is our most curable illness.
3. Hospitals are necessary sometimes, but not the best place to get well.
4. Influences in our culture (competition, measuring self by social norms)
can cause depression.
5. The Gospel can correct these influences and act as an anti-depressant.