Christian Living

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The Local Church and the Bipolar Member
C. W. Fincher

Thesis

How does the church minister to those members who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

Medical disclaimer

This paper is not to be used to diagnose or for the treatment of persons with bipolar disorder. The sole purpose of this paper is to draw attention to a need that I see within the local body of Christ.

Introduction

It is hard to believe that we are 11 years into the 21st century! Where did the time go? Only yesterday much of the world’s population was worrying about the Y2K computer bug, now that worry has melted into the past.

In recent years, around the world and in our own nation, there is a pulling away from the collective values that hold society together. The trend is towards the rights of the individual over the needs of the collective.

On the negative side of the issue is the homosexual rights movement, the right to burn the American flag, the right to kill an unborn child, the right to speak whatever we choose in a hateful manner!

I do not include in this group those that speak out in the name our God for what He calls sin, as defined within the Bible! Not doing so would open up the disfavor of God who demands us to warn people about what He says is right and wrong.

On the positive side of the coin is save the whales, antiabortion activism, end cancer in our life time, anti- human trafficking laws, education about various mental disorders and the list goes on.

I will be the first to say that we need the freedom to be individuals; we need the freedom to make choices for ourselves and not be told by a self chosen few what to think and how to act or what we are allowed to say.

The 20th century has many such leaders who imposed their will upon the people, all for the negative. Names such as Lenin and Stalin of Russia, Mao Tse Tung of China, Pol Pot from Cambodia, the Duvalier family of Haiti, lest I forget the name that many will never forget, Adolph Hitler! These are just a few of the despots that have imposed their will upon their nations.

Our televisions screens are filled with organizations that have been granted the right to spread their agendas across the airwaves. One television advertisement that I have seen recently is from the Nation Bipolar Foundation. They are actively promoting bipolar awareness to anyone who will listen.

Great, one more social cause vying for our attention and money, as our hearts and wallets are being stretched to the breaking point with just the everyday needs that we all have to!

This is a social cause that I am personally familiar with and well aware of the social stigma related to this disorder. My connection with this cause will become apparent as we proceed.

History of Bipolar

Let’s look briefly into the history of bipolar disorder. Many volumes of literature have been written about the subject, I can only share a small portion of it to help you see what it involves medically.

CareGiver Magazine offers an article, A Brief History of Bipolar Disorder. From their website, Caregiver.com I will give part of what I have learned about the history of the disorder. (1)

“Bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the oldest known illnesses. Research reveals some mention of the symptoms in early medical records. It was first noticed as far back as the second century. Aretaeus of Cappadocia (a city in ancient Turkey) first recognized some symptoms of mania and depression, and felt they could be linked together.

Jules Falret coined the term “folie circulaire” (circular insanity) in 1854, and established a link between depression and suicide.

Francois Baillarger believed there was a major distinction between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

In 1980, the term bipolar disorder (1980) replaced manic-depressive disorder as a diagnostic term found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III).” (1)

Davi- Ellen Chabner in her book, The Language of Medicine, 8th Edition defines bipolar as, “Mood disorder with alternating periods of mania and depression.” (2)

From this you are starting to get an idea of what is involved with the disorder. Let me make one thing clear before moving one. Is it a disease or disorder? Let me draw upon one of the books I used while in medical college, Dorland’s Pocket 28th Medical Dictionary, or as I call it, my red book because it has a blood red, leather like cover.

“Disease: any deviation from or interruption of the normal structure or function of any body part, organ, or system that that is manifested by a characteristic set of symptoms and signs. . .” (3)

Disorder: a derangement or abnormality of function; a morbid physical or mental state.”
Based upon these meanings, bipolar is a disorder, not a disease. (4)

With this information, we do need not treat people who have this disorder as if they have leprosy or some other they type of infectious disease!

Historical Figures with Bipolar

Let’s look quickly at a few historical figures that “may” have been bipolar.

“This list should include only: a) deceased persons; or b) living persons who have been frank about their condition. It should not include speculation about status of living people who have not publicly stated themselves to have bipolar disorder. In addition to the above criteria, persons should only be listed here if they already have an article on Wikipedia.”

I have chosen just a few from the Wikipedia list; many of you will know their names; Dick Cavett, television journalist; Kurt Cobain, musician; Rosemary Clooney, singer, actress; Patty Duke, actress; Mel Gibson, actor, director; Ernest Hemingway, writer; Jack London, writer. (5)

From various web sites, I repeatedly found the names of William Cowper, poet, hymnist; Charles H. Spurgeon, evangelist, writer and Oswald Chambers, minister, teacher and writer, all sufferers of bipolar disorder.

Does scripture give any examples?

Now this is where I start to find examples of people who God decided to show us their lives as penned on the pages of scriptures as well as other useful ideas on how to deal with the issue of what to put inside of our minds and hearts.

The Old Testament has several examples of men who had what appeared to be bipolar disorder as based upon their actions as described in the Bible. King Saul was prone to fits of violent anger, often times aimed towards the young king David. Only the soothing music that David played calmed him down. (1 Sam 16:23) Then at another time, he acted impulsively and consulted with the witch of Endor to bring up the spirit of the dead prophet Samuel! He knew this violated what God had told him not to do. (1 Sam 28:3-25)

King David was another one who was prone to fits of depression and great feats of strength and was on cloud nine! Read through the Psalms that he wrote to get a feel for his heart.

Elijah was another well documented case of a possible bipolar personality. Having won a great contest between the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran away into the wilderness and longed to die! 1 Ki 19:4) Then later on, he outran a chariot for several miles! (1 Ki 18:46)

King Nebuchadnezzar was another documented case of a person being afflicted by mental illness. You can read about him in the book of Daniel. (Dan 4:28-37)

We have looked at a few examples of people that may have had bipolar disorder; let’s move into an area that I struggle with, how to maintain my thoughts on the things of Christ by using the Bible and prayer as methods of changing my sinful mind and thoughts.

The next few scriptures I have read most of my life, but in this context, they take on a whole new meaning in light of their power to transform the mind and heart of the reader.

Rom 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfected will of God.”

2 Cor 10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Eph 47:23, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;”

Col 3:1, “If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

And lastly, one of the most well known verses of the book of Philippians, 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Personal Connection

This is where it starts to get personal for me. I told you early on that I had a personal connection with this disorder. Let me briefly explain my connection to this cause.

I was diagnosed with the disorder in the fall of 2009, after a series of events that caused my life to change in a radical manner. It was my teenage daughter who was taking psychology classes in high school kept saying to her mother that I had bipolar disorder, but who would listen to a teenager in school? No one! Certainly not me!

I thought that being “bipolar” was a sexual preference disorder, akin to homosexual and lesbian tendencies and I knew that I had none of those! I didn’t know it was a mental disorder! I still remember the day my wife posed the possibility of me being bipolar; she had no idea as to how I would react. I remained calm much to her delight and soon after I sought the council of my pastor, who ultimately put me in touch with the people who could help me begin to understand the nature of my affliction.

I could say many more things and go into more details, but for the sake of the limitations of the written page, I need to move on to greater things.

Progress note: it has now been nearly a year; I am undergoing medical treatment which currently involves taking regular doses of medication. It has been a struggle as I learn that I no longer have control over my own body, it now has control over me, but I will not be controlled by the disorder! I am one who does not like to take medicine, just ask a few of the deacons at my church that I am accountable to! That event in itself is another story!

How do we minister to the bipolar member?

Let me introduce to you two men who have helped me greatly since my diagnosis, Pastor Nathan O. Osborne, III, Senior Pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Winter Haven, FL and Pastor Peter Brock, Associate Pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Winter Haven, FL.

I have asked each man a series of questions, each man based upon their life experience have supplied answers to my questions.

At the time of this writing, only Pastor Brock has responded to my questions. Pastor Osborne has responded verbally to my questions by letting me know that he is still researching the matter and that he has consulted our deacons for their thoughts on the matter at hand.

Let me add a word of clarification. When I use the word “church” I mean the local body of Christ, made up of those who have asked Christ into their life to be their personal Savior. I do not mean the “church universal” which is the entire body of Christ composed of all saints from the day of Pentecost until the time of the rapture of the bride of Christ.

Q1. As a pastor/councilor, how do you differentiate between spiritual problems and a member with bipolar disorder?

A. Pastor Brock, “At times this is somewhat difficult. Often a few counseling sessions are necessary. At Times there is a repeated pattern which indicates a problem. At times other “life clues” are helpful in determining the real issues.”

Q2. From your experiences, are the two conditions (spiritual/bipolar) interconnected?

A. Pastor Brock, “I believe they are, and that there is some overlap. I believe that they both influence the other. To what degree is difficult to determine without formal training.”

Q3. Once the member has been medically diagnosed with bipolar, as the spiritual caregiver of the member, what steps would you take to help the member to understand their condition?

A. Pastor Brock, “Get them the resources they need to better understand the condition. Help “them” to see how the condition directly influences this spiritual condition.”

Q4. In our current mindset that what the church needs is more programs to deal with social problems, does the church need a “program” to help its members with bipolar disorder?

A. Pastor Brock, “Perhaps not a “program”! However some counseling specific to the condition may be in order. I would think that each case would vary enough from the others that grouping those with the condition together may not be most beneficial.”

Q5. What words of encouragement can you offer to those with bipolar disorder?

A. Pastor Brock, “Don’t fight the condition. God has given you a gift in being able to minister to others in a unique way. Don’t think of yourself as “less” in any way. God has uniquely formed each one of us as a special gift.”

Conclusion

After having reviewed the answers of Pastor Brock and having some further research of my own, I have made the following conclusions.

Bipolar disorder is a disorder of the body. It can be treated with medication and psychiatric treatment. It is a long term disorder. Once diagnosed, you have it for life. There are no quick fixes!

With regards to the spiritual nature of man, I have found from my own experience that by reading the word of God and meditating on His word on a regular basis does help to bring one’s mind into focus on things that outside of our realm of natural thoughts. My thoughts are drawn away from myself to our God who is perfect and yet wants us to spend time with Him.

On the days that I did not read and pray, my bipolar symptoms became more apparent than when I would read and pray consistently.

Another area of concern is the lack of coverage by the health insurance industry. The average healthcare plan does not cover the treatment of mental illness of which bipolar disorder is grouped (ICD-9, 296.0-296.99). (6) As I write this, I’m sure that there are some companies that would take exception to my previous statement.

Many people who need treatment are only able to get medication from their primary care physician, but because of the lack of insurance that covers long term counseling by a specialist, they often go without the care they need and at best are functioning on medicine only, (the symptoms are being masked by the medication, the whole time that they may be having an “episode” choice of word, mine) thereby having little to no long term effect except to cover up their condition with the medication.

Shifting gears now, does the local church need a program to help its members with this disorder?

I would say no. To draw attention to these members would first of all violate sound medical privacy principals. Secondly, to draw attention to the individual would be like putting him or her up on a platform and then give the crowd some food to throw at them because they are different! Thirdly, to draw attention to them would have a strong negative affect by giving into the tendency of us all to have a pity party where we are the honored guest!

My family knows all too well of the times I have had extended pity parties! It is not a good thing for anyone to have to experience!

In closing, I offer these ideas as a way to minister to those in the body of Christ with bipolar disorder. Once you find out someone has the disorder, come along side of them, offer your ear to listen to them. Be a friend who has a strong shoulder to lean on. Do not withdraw from them because they have a chemical imbalance that causes the neurons of the brain to miss fire, it’s not contagious!

Love them, if you see the individual missing from activities that they like, look them up, let them know you care. I am held accountable to a few chosen men who love me dearly!

Despite what I think and how I react sometimes, there is strength in numbers! Use the strength of the local church to help support that member.

Bibliography

1. http://www.caregiver.com/channels/bipolar/articles/brief_history.htm
2. Davi-Ellen; “The Language of Medicine”, Eighth Edition, Saunders, p 908
3. Dorland’s Pocket 28th Edition Medical Dictionary; Saunders, p 247
4. Dorland’s Pocket 28th Edition Medical Dictionary; Saunders, p 256
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_affected_by_bipolar_disorder#S
6. 2009 ICD-9, Volumes 1, 2, 3; Saunders, Elsevier Publishing

Additional Resources

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
National Bipolar Foundation: http://www.nationalbipolarfoundation.org/default.aspx
Every Day Health: http://www.everydayhealth.com
Facing Bipolar: http://www.facingbipolar.com/index.aspx
Essortment: http://www.essortment.com/history-bipolar-disorder-38141.html

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