What does the Bible say about Mental Illness
You may not be a Professional Therapist, but you have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit
Less than 6% of families with a mentally ill member believe they receive good pastoral care.
60% believe other Christians don’t care.
Families of mentally ill persons experience:
Guilt – “It’s my fault” Some guilt may be deserved, when they feel they have been
too harsh dealing with the mentally ill person.
Anger – “Why God”
Fear – Violence
Worry - What if I die, who will take care of my family member
Depression – Due to all the above
Marital Discord – Due to all the above
Even if the church can’t immediately help the person in crisis – we can minister to the family.
Emotional and Mental Disorders and the Bible:
Myths
Dysfunctional homes cause mental illness – False
Emotional disorders can be caused by dysfunctional homes, but also strikes stable homes.
Drug use causes all mental illness – False
It can increase symptoms and cause short-term psychosis
Mental illness is divine chastisement - False
Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4) is the only example. In the New Testament, Jesus heals all
manner of disease including mental illness – Matt 4:24
Deut. 28: 27-29, 34 – Identifies chastisement of madness, blindness, and boils. If you
accept one you have to accept all.
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I Sam. 21: 12-15 – David feigned mental illness – something he knew as did those he played for.
Examples:
1. Rape – Judges 19:25 – can result in PTSD, Anxiety, Depression
2. Sexual Issues – I Thess. 4:4-5 – Results from Stress, Depression, Feeling of failure
I cor. 7:1-9 – Sexual relationships the right way
3. Depression – Lam 3 – Good description of how it is experienced and good counsel
4. Trauma – Psalms 18 – Good expression of the Fear experienced and also hope
5. Domestic and Child Abuse – Col. 3:18-21 – As a family should be
6. Anxiety – Phil. 4 – Explore this line by line = excellent counsel
7. Grief – II Sam. 18:33 – Expression of the feelings associated with death
8. Addiction – II Cor. 7:1 – Contrary to Christian living
9. Blended Families – Gen. 21:10, II Sam. 13 – The problems that arise
Pastoral Helps
Depression:
Help the individual explore the source (if known by the individual). Encourage
them to talk it through, with you providing supportive listening. Let them do most
of the talking. Ask open-ended questions. Encourage involvement in enjoyable
activities and church related programs and projects. Ask them if any suicidal
thoughts are present – asking will not put the idea in their mind. Encourage them
to push self to be more active, but don’t tell them to just shake it off.
Abortion:
You may encounter an individual dealing with guilt and shame, and possibly depression.
Encourage them to seek and accept forgiveness. If depression is severe , refer to a
professional. Don’t allow your own emotions to prevent your effectiveness.
Suicidal:
The individual expresses directly or indirectly intent to kill self. They may being to
give away possessions. They express feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
This is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Refer to a professional, secure
the individual’s safety.
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Child Abuse/
Trauma:
Allow the child or adult victim of childhood abuse to tell their story. Stress God’s
plan for a family – how parents are to treat children. God is our perfect father. The
trial of Jesus and his crucifixion proves he knows what they suffer: Abandoned,
Betrayed, Beaten and Bruised, Threatened with Death, Mocked, Stripped Naked,
Killed. Don’t expect them to just start trusting and be comfortable with the idea
of a heavenly father, since the earthly parent was bad.
Marital
Problems:
Explore with couple issues from both perspectives. Work toward compromise. You
will experience some rough spots and it will seem like its getting worse not better
(sometimes you have to peel the scab off and let the air get to the wound for it to heal).
Lots of verses: I cor. 7:1-9, Eph. 5:22, 25 Don’t use just the submit verse.
Divorce:
Many will experience something similar to grief. This individual has lost a relationship.
Will likely feel some depression and sense of failure and loneliness. Don’t expect them
to just get over it, even if the divorce was their decision.
Remarriage:
Expect adjustment issues from both parties and any children involved. Both adults
must once again define roles in the marriage. Watch for the “baggage” from previous
marriage. Children will often act out in an attempt to break up marriage – many hold
on to hope that biological parents will reunite. Children will often feel they are losing
their parent or time with their parent to the step-parent.
Addiction:
Many drug addictions can have very complicated withdrawals and may require
inpatient stay. Establish a recovery plan:
1) When does temptation come
a) Stressors
b) Time of day
2) Identify activities to engage time and energy
3) Have them become accountable to someone – a prayer partner and someone
to call when temptation is strong.
Don’t expect that they can just stop unless divine intervention comes in to play.
Sexual
Some, from a Biblical perspective, are simply sin
Addiction:
Adultery – Depression and marital problems prior to any transgression.
Masturbation and Pornography – Often results from Stress, Feeling of failure, and
pressure.
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Anxiety:
Phil. 4 – excellent source
Prayer and meditation is a good source of stress reduction.
Biofeedback – Attempt to slow breathing and relax muscles.
Deep breathing
Visual imaging – see yourself successfully dealing with stressful situation.
Don’t tell them its sin
Grief:
Despite our belief that heaven is gain and to be desired, it’s okay and expected
that loss and pain will be experienced. This does not mean lack of faith. Encourage
the discussion of loss and to reminisce of deceased love one. Watch for depression.
Eating
Disorders;
Anorexia,
Bulimia:
Most often results from stressful life events. Individuals often feel a drive for perfection
or acceptance. Grace needs to be emphasized with these individuals. Most often an
underlying issue that must be explored.
Self-Harm
Behaviors:
Often in the form of cutting or burning self. Physical pain and the bodies release of
chemicals to combat it is sought to replace emotional pain. Often this is a person
with a history of childhood abuse, usually sexual abuse. This person also is usually
diagnosed with a personality disorder as well. Focus needs to be on the underlying
issue while exploring alternatives to self-harm. This person will be quite dependent
and will need nudged to be independent.
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Demonization vs. Medical
Medical:
Schizophrenia (2 or More)
1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganized Speech
4. Disorganized Behaviors
5. Negative Symptoms
Other disorders with psychotic features
Mood Disorders
Major Depression:
1. Depressed mood most of the day, everyday
2. Diminished Interest
3. Weight Change
4. Sleep Change
5. Psychomotor Change
6. Fatigue
7. Feeling Worthless
8. Poor Concentration
9. Thoughts of Death
Manic:
1. Elevated or Irritable Mood
2. Plus four of the following:
a) Grandiosity
b) Decreased Sleep
c) Hypertalkative
d) Racing Thoughts
e) Distractibility
f) Increased Goal-Directed Activities
g) Excessive Pleasurable Activities
Bi-Polar:
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Symptoms of Both
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Attack:
1. Accelerated Heart Rate
2. Sweating
3. Trembling
4. Feeling of Shortness of Breath
5. Feeling of Choking
Phobias:
- Marked persistent fear that is excessive cued by specific situation
Obsessive-Compulsive:
1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts or impulses
2. Not reality based worries
3. Person attempts to ignore
4. Person recognizes impulse is a product of their mind
1. Repetitive Behaviors
2. Acts are attempts to prevent or reduce distress
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
1. Exposure to traumatic event which produced intense fear
2. The traumatic event is re-experienced through:
- Intrusive Images
- Nightmares
- Reliving Event
- Distress at exposure of cues
3. Avoidance of exposure to stimuli associated with trauma
4. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal
Generalized Anxiety:
1. Excessive worry
2. Uncontrollable worry
3. Restlessness, fatigued, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, or sleeplessness
4. Impaired Social Functioning
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Demonization:
Evil entered the world through Satan.
Many people don’t accept that evil is real.
Few believe Satan exists.
Satan attempts to convince people that he doesn’t exist.
Satan attempts to convince people that God doesn’t exist.
Common Beliefs Held:
- Christians can’t be demonized – False, they can be oppressed but not possessed.
- Demonization is really all psychological – False
- All mental and emotional problems are caused by demons – False
- Demonization if uncommon – False
Ports of Entry:
- Invited in – Satanic Ritual (Lev. 17:7)
- Playing Satanic Games
- Occult Activities
Possession:
- Change in Moral Character
- Often leads to self-harm or destructive behaviors (Mark 9:19, Mark 5)
- Hatred of God (Luke 4:33)
- As opposed to the Mentally Ill who often want God or become religiously preoccupied.
- Supernatural Knowledge (Mark 5)
People often want to contribute to Demon Possession:
- Emotional Problems
- Mental Problems
- Speech Problems – can cause muteness (Matt 9:32)
- Sexual Issues leading to addiction and sex crimes
- Addictions
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Oppression
- Robs Joy
- Person becomes overly Legalistic – always fear sinning
- Constant fear of God’s judgment
- Exploits sources of temptation
- Doubt
- Feeling of blackness all around
*If medication alleviates problems it is not Demon Possession
Legal Obligations:
Duty to Warn:
- Seek emergency assistance if you believe that the individual is a threat to them self or others.
- Child Abuse – The wording doesn’t directly state Clergy but states “Any Person”. Most
communities have a child abuse hotline.
- Elder Abuse – The wording doesn’t directly state Clergy but states “Any Person”. Reporting
is to Adult Protective Services.
FYI:
- Clergy has the right to provide Pastoral Counseling without License.
- Admissions to an Inpatient Mental Health Unit.
-
Voluntary – Patient signs self in.
Involuntary – Place against their will.
72 Hour Hold 90 day – 1 year Commitment – usually transferred to outpatient provider after short
hospitalization.
When To Refer To A Professional:
- Threat of self-harm
- Threat of harm to others
- The individual is gravely disabled – unable to provide for self-care, food, shelter, personal hygiene.
- The individual is psychotic – hearing voices, seeing things others don’t, Delusions – bizarre beliefs.
- Individual is extremely depressed.
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