Evangelicals & Nervous Breakdowns

[A_PoMo]

1. I had a nervous breakdown while in Bible college. I was working full-time, newly married, going to school full-time, leading a time intensive project, and had all sorts of inner turmoil going on at the same time. I finally lost it in my senior year. For a time there I'm not sure how I made it through and would literally forget to go to class and things like that. At the time I didn't know what it was, figured I was just tired and somehow I slogged through it and graduated. It wasn't until recently that I've understood the depth of my struggle with depression over the years and have learned to cope with it better now than I did before.

2. I thought this guy's admonition to not seek out the help of evangelicals to be a little over the top. Evangelicals are the ones that offer MFT programs at their seminaries and it's evangelicals that write all the emo books that we buy at the Christian bookstores. Sounds like he was running with an uninformed crowd. In my limited experience I have found that OP's and Apostolics are generally resistant to seeking out counsel and psychological help. Not always for sure, I go to school with an Apostolic girl who is in the MFT program there, but generally the OP's I've been around kind of look down at psychological/emotional issues and their remedies are too often to spiritualize the problems instead of seeking medical help. I think a combination of both, doctors and prayer, are the best approach.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I am not sure I know what an evangelical is, but I do know that prayer and reading the bible can help us overcome. However there are situations that the help of a counselor is needed. I also know that some anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can make matters worse.

Cindy,
I know one needs an accurate diagnosis in order to prescribe meds. The problems are usually related to children under 18. Zoloft is one that can often have a detrimental effect on adolescents and make them suicidal. Accurate diagnosis is the issue.
Blessings, Rhoni

[dansamy]

My husband is presently on an SNRI, which inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing more of the chemicals to remain active in the brain. A true chemical imbalance in the brain needs medication just like other conditions do. The stereotypes surrounding mental health are still amazingly prevalent even today. My uncle was a paranoid schizophrenic. As long as he was taking his medication, he was a brilliant, gifted man. Without it, he was frightening. I watched A Beautiful Mind and it was so very relevant.

I took care of a manic-depressive patient a few months ago. She told me it took her 5 years to be able to admit to herself that she was manic-depressive. It is sad when people are afraid to get the help they need due to the social stigma attached to their diagnosis. We don't treat insulin-dependent diabetics this way. Their bodies fail to make a chemical they need and we just replace it and everyone goes about their day. No one tells them to pray more and read their Bible. We tell them to check their blood sugar and take their insulin.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by DerrickS

Particularly when they are trying to correct a chemical imbalance that doesn't exist. I personally benefit significantly from a moderate dosage of anti-anxiety medication. It hasn't dulled my emotions to the point that I don't still get anxious during truly stressful situations, but at least I am not edgy all the time for no real reason like I used to be. I thank God for leading me to it.

Derrick,

Like I said, an accurate diagnosis is the issue. The only thing counselors, psychologists, and pyschiatrists have to go on are the symptoms you present. It is very essential to you being honest and open with the assessor.

Also. there is a major difference in the type of drugs used for depression, and those needed for anxiety. Again, you must have an accurate diagnosis.

One thing that presents a problem is going to a family physician for psychotropic mediations. The are not experts in this area and they often give out anti-depressants based on what the drug reps bring to their office. You need to go to a psychiatirst who works in tandem with your psychologist or counselor.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

1. I had a nervous breakdown while in Bible college. I was working full-time, newly married, going to school full-time, leading a time intensive project, and had all sorts of inner turmoil going on at the same time. I finally lost it in my senior year. For a time there I'm not sure how I made it through and would literally forget to go to class and things like that. At the time I didn't know what it was, figured I was just tired and somehow I slogged through it and graduated. It wasn't until recently that I've understood the depth of my struggle with depression over the years and have learned to cope with it better now than I did before.

2. I thought this guy's admonition to not seek out the help of evangelicals to be a little over the top. Evangelicals are the ones that offer MFT programs at their seminaries and it's evangelicals that write all the emo books that we buy at the Christian bookstores. Sounds like he was running with an uninformed crowd. In my limited experience I have found that OP's and Apostolics are generally resistant to seeking out counsel and psychological help. Not always for sure, I go to school with an Apostolic girl who is in the MFT program there, but generally the OP's I've been around kind of look down at psychological/emotional issues and their remedies are too often to spiritualize the problems instead of seeking medical help. I think a combination of both, doctors and prayer, are the best approach.

The evangelicals he was talking about includes most of us Apostolics. You'd be surprised at the number of Pastors who are not onboard with counseling, medication tx, or going outside spiritual guidance of Apostolic leadership for counsel and guidance. Mainly control issues.

I got my MFT program from a Wesleyan Accredited college. There are very few "Evangelical" programs.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Thank you all for sharing personal experiences. I know how difficult it is to make your private lives public, but I know, for myself, I hope others are helped through my experience.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by dansamy

My husband is presently on an SNRI, which inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing more of the chemicals to remain active in the brain. A true chemical imbalance in the brain needs medication just like other conditions do. The stereotypes surrounding mental health are still amazingly prevalent even today. My uncle was a paranoid schizophrenic. As long as he was taking his medication, he was a brilliant, gifted man. Without it, he was frightening. I watched A Beautiful Mind and it was so very relevant.

I took care of a manic-depressive patient a few months ago. She told me it took her 5 years to be able to admit to herself that she was manic-depressive. It is sad when people are afraid to get the help they need due to the social stigma attached to their diagnosis. We don't treat insulin-dependent diabetics this way. Their bodies fail to make a chemical they need and we just replace it and everyone goes about their day. No one tells them to pray more and read their Bible. We tell them to check their blood sugar and take their insulin.

Absolutely! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and wisdom in this matter. It is difficult for those who have not experienced mental illness themselves or in their families to understand what we are talking about.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

The evangelicals he was talking about includes most of us Apostolics. You'd be surprised at the number of Pastors who are not onboard with counseling, medication tx, or going outside spiritual guidance of Apostolic leadership for counsel and guidance. Mainly control issues.

I got my MFT program from a Wesleyan Accredited college. There are very few "Evangelical" programs.

Blessings, Rhoni

Did he specifically mention Apsotolics and OP's? I ask because OP Apostolics are by defintion not evangelical as one part of being evangelical is to be trinitarian.

I understand the unfortunate fact of resistance among many Apostolics against counseling. I've seen it first hand. It's one of the reasons I didn't recognize my own depression until I was in my 30's. I was raised in a culture that said that if you were depressed that you just needed a good dose of the Holy Ghost. This only fed the depression as no matter how much I prayed I still would get depressed.

Weslyan schools are good, my sister is a student at one. Thankfully MFT programs are gaining in popularity even if they've been fewer in the past. How many OP Bible colleges offer counseling or MFT programs? How many books or seminars on emotional/psychological issues are offered by OP's? It's a glaring blindspot in OP/Apostolic perspective, imo.

[MrsMcD]

I have heard pastors and saints say that people shouldn't be taking medicine for depression and nerves. Everytime I hear someone say this I think to myself that I hope their life continues flowery because one day they will eat their words if not.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

I have heard pastors and saints say that people shouldn't be taking medicine for depression and nerves. Everytime I hear someone say this I think to myself that I hope their life continues flowery because one day they will eat their words if not.

That is the truth. I used to be one of them and I know ignorance begets ignorance. That is why I plug away at threads like this getting us all aware of what is really happening in our Apostolic culture.

This is why it bothers me when we judge someone because if you will notice the scripture tells us that what we judge others for comes back to our doorstep [paraphrased]...I know it did with me.

Blessings, Rhoni