Christians and Mental Disorders

[msmustardseed]

How do Christians view a mental illness? It's rare that I've heard a person asking for prayer for a specific mental disorder. There's still shame attached. However, Christian counseling is gaining clients and helping lots of people.

[Sparrow]

My perspective on this changed a lot when I developed a mental illness of severe germphobia. From personal experience I realized it was very much a medical issue and not a spiritual problem. It was very hurtful to have people telling me I didn't have enough faith to let God take care of it when I was using every ounce of faith I had just to get through the next three minutes. Now looking back on that horrible time, I see that God allowed it and has used it to teach me empathy for that type of issue. Since then I've been instrumental in helping others with similar conditions.

In my case I had actual medical tests showing that my brain chemicals were out of whack. It was definitely a medical issue and it was medicine that resolved it.

Yet I think there can be sin involved in any issue because we are sinners. I don't know where the line is between when we are accountable for our actions, period, and where there might be a moral allowance for a mental disease causing an action. Maybe that's something we won't fully know until the other side.

[Jesusfirst]

This is a very good question. How they view it here where I live is mostly something to laugh about. I'v heard alot cases where Church members talk about fellow Church members who had mental problems. You're right theres Prayers asked for physical problems but not mental problems. I have not ever heard of even one case where this has happen.

[tomoral]

mental illness is a medical chemical disorder of the brain. I have been bi polar all my life, but the severity didnt become apparent until my adult years as is often the case. I have often had people pray for me because I was depressed, so the people in my church seem to understand this. Almost everyone I know has either been depressed at one time or has a friend or loved one affected by this. It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it's the shame that prohibits people from getting the help they need. My faith in Jesus Christ tells me I must speak out to others regarding this often hereditary disease, as well as all mental illnesses, and tell Jesus loves them and to not be afraid to ask for help, from both Him and the medical profession.

[cdawson41]

I think that the fear of what others will think does a lot of damage. Because of the accident I was in I am left with constant chronic pain. One of the big side effects of that is depression. My life was completely wiped out from under me, all the things I used to do, how active I was, it all changed. I knew the depression was there but thought if I had enough faith I could fight it and win. Through lots of prayer from myself, my family and many of my friends at church I finally went and talked to my dr about it. A very low dose anti depressant has made a huge difference. My thoughts of what others would think and how I viewed it myself kept me from getting help for nearly three years. It's a shame that I felt that way about myself which means deep down I must have felt that way about others. Amazing how God can use things in our own lives to open our eyes not only for ourselves but for others as well. I am happy to say though that our church does pray for people with mental issues as we have several members that have very real issues and we pray for them often.

[Sparrow]

Last week I met with my disability lawyer and she announced that she believes I'm psychosomatic (i.e. that I have minor health issues that my brain has convinced me are disabling) because I've been proactive to get care and diagnoses from my doctors and be cause my condition is such that doesn't have many concrete medical tests to prove its severity. I was horribly shocked and upset that she would say that after pledging to support me and agreeing to take on my case. I even have a new, stronger diagnoses from a world renowned specialist who explained in my chart that the condition is very severe, and she still didn't believe it.

If I actually did have a mental condition I don't think I'd feel as embarrassed about it, but since I definitely do not, I'm finding myself nervous about sharing this injustice with other people for fear I'll find out they agree with her.

The worst part is that apparently I don't have any options of switching to a different lawyer and will have to trust someone I don't trust with my financial future. I desperately need the health insurance aid from the government.

I'm traveling three hours each way on Thursday to get a specialized upright MRI of my spinal column--that's the nearest machine. Please pray that the test will show clearly if there is a serious problem with my neck. If there is, then it will help my case a lot to have that concrete test, though that result would also be scary from a personal stand point, since it could mean surgery would be required.

[helen1975]

Amy,

I was wondering how I could possibly respond to this; what a weight this must be on you, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Then my eyes glimpsed the post above yours, from Cynthia, and her 'blurb' at the bottom of her message -

Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I know this verse is bandied around to the point of almost becoming cliche; but I just wanted to reassure you to stay strong. I know you are a person of immense faith and trust in God, but even the strongest of saints needs encouragement. I will be praying for you, for strength, wisdom, peace and a massive influx of faith.

Blessings,

Helen XO

[tomoral]

I am manic depressive, these days they give it a nicer name of Bipolar, which sort of suggests we live in both ends of the world.....

I have relied on God to get me through this my whole life it seems...but I really never felt a restoration or ceasing from it until three and a half years ago when I gave my life to Christ.

I still take medication but I did not feel a healing from it before fully knowing who my true savior was. There are still those days of not knowing which hemisphere I live in, but the peace is always there just knowing Jesus always has my back.

Some are sicker than others, however, and cannot seem to hold on to His hand. I pray that He will always have their backs.

[beaedwards]

I too will be lifting you in prayer. Two of my favorite verses that comfort me in dealing with my own weakness:

2Cr 12:10 NASB - Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

and

2Cr 12:9 NIV - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

These two verses make it clear to me that the weaker I am, the more God is going to show up and show off!!!

Love you sweethart,
Bea

[Sparrow]

Thanks so much, Helen and Bea. You guys are sweet. I love all of those verses, and the one about weakness confounding the wise.

Tomoral, it's a blessing to hear of how you have found peace even in the middle of that very difficult disease. I had severe OCD/germphobia for a couple of years and it was just enough to give me a glimpse of what life with a disease like that can be like. Extremely difficult. Praise God that He's been able to reach through that and still give you peace even when I'm sure your brain and emotions are in turmoil at times.

[James Robot]

I predominately just suffer from anxiety and moderate hypochondriasis. It, sadly runs in the family and i hate it when i become panicked over nothing.
There's also suspicion (amongst a friend of mine anyways) that i may have a mild autistic disorder called Aspergers. But I, personally, don't think so.
I am not on any medication (thank you Lord) and am mostly fit as a fiddle!

As so, i am trying to trust the Lord that i'll be just fine and that he knows what is best for me.

[Sparrow]

James, I had a time period with bad anxiety, so I know how hard that can be. Glad you're doing pretty well, though!

[James Robot]

I had one period where my anxiety was worse than it is now. Im actually glad this is much less severe than that one time because i can do things.

[Shann]

I too can relate James. It does seem like people tend to judge mental illness harsher than other ones. I have panic attacks and a mild case of agoraphobia. If I don't keep right on it and make myself go out and do things it becomes very easy for me to just want to stay home all of the time. Back in 97 the docs put me on a low dose of anti-depressants that was suppose to help with chronic pain but instead it spiraled me into a year long nightmare where I tried probably 100 times to kill myself. The doctors said at least 10 of those times should have been successful. Finally the doctors feared that I would hurt myself enough that they stopped all meds including the anti-depressants. Within 4 weeks all suicidal ideations were gone. I blamed the drug they told me I was crazy. Come to find out about 2 years later that suicidal ideations were a side effect of many anti-depressants. I would never take one again. It was a horrible year.

[rtodd5011]

People look at me when I tell them I have a mental illness and some say that I dont look and act sick. I was diagnosed Paranoid Schizphrenia in 2002 and havent had a breakdown since 2005. Ive come along way but I still get paranoid about things, and struggle with fear alot too. That may not be a big deal to some people, but it is to me after 3 breakdowns. I pray I never have one again. IM going to enter my testimony in the testimony challenge. I hope it does well.

Richard