Dr. Phil gives sound Biblical counseling on reducing stress.

[kathymendel]

Penbrat, I agree with you. It is so easy and happens way too often, that many believers will condemn the person who is dealing with struggles,
saying it is lack of faith or personal sin that is causing the problem. I don't believe that. Sometimes, yes it is so...........but, many times it has
nothing to do with that. Look at Job. He was counted worthy in God's eyes, a faithful servant to Him. Look at ALL that befell him.......it was not his doing in any way....... he remained faithful to God despite all the loss and pain he endured. And, he was restored in the end and blessed ten-fold.
I don't know why or how people can be SO judgemental and think they have all the answers (WRONG!) about other sisters and brothers, when they have not walked in their shoes at all, nor do they have all the details of the situations. I wish they would just stop it..........

 

[yeshua'sbride]

A scientific journal just published that Depression is not a result of chemical imbalances. This came out this July 2022. You can look it up and it actually made headlines.

Is that the University College London study? Are you basing your opinion on the results of this one study?

I don’t suffer from depression, but I do have a chemical imbalance that results in a medical diagnosis of panic disorder/anxiety disorder.

I’ll continue to take the medications that have helped me for the last 35 years and thank God for them.

 

[JoyJoyJoy]

I will step out on a slim limb here.
If any have stood in a Pediatric ICU with their child laying there, or an ER with a loved one on a gurney, hearing words like 'life threatening', 'massive blood loss', 'nothing more can be done',...I think anxiety and stress may pop right up in that life.
And that's extreme, but it happens and leaves scars. Many lesser conditions can be frightening also.
God is with us. He gives us strength. We are human with human feelings. ♥️
We can work through some mental problems, but it often takes a lot of time and a lot of prayer.
Just as you can't recover from 2 broken limbs over night, the same with broken feelings.

 

[Andy C]

Just as you can't recover from 2 broken limbs over night, the same with broken feelings.

So true, yet many well meaning Christians cant accept this simple truth.

 

[Amethyst]

All I know is this: people who have battled with depression episodes for much of their life -- we all feel like something is uniquely wrong with us. Like we were just wired wrong. For many of us, we didn't even know depression was what we had until years into it.

 

[JoyJoyJoy]

For many of us, we didn't even know depression was what we had until years into it.

I was a grown woman when I finally discussed it with my Dr.
I worked 3 night shifts/week. I obsessed about whether I would be called to work extra. I couldn't enjoy my days off for worrying.
At the same time, I had to have my car keys in my pocket when I was away from home. I needed to be able to touch them every few minutes.
These type behaviors have been part of my life since childhood.

Dx=OCD
1 medicine and I have never looked back.
It's wonderful to enjoy life without the constant anxiety of where are my keys, is the door locked, is my curling iron unplugged,...up to and including hitting a pot hole while driving at night and just knowing it was a person or animal. That's not a fun way to live.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

One day ,us children of God , will have glorified bodies . We will be 100% FREE of this fractured frame we are temporarily housed in.
One day sin will be eradicated!!!
Sin has an expiration date therefore so does death as we know it.
We will have access to God the Father through God the Son!!!
We are Saints of the utmost High.
Some times we just try to make it just one more day.
What is waiting for us cannot be spoken of this side of Glory.
One day, however ,we will embrace that which Jesus Christ has prepared for us.
✝️

 

[cheeky200386]

Sorry but not always that simple. I am stepping out of this thread as I do not wish to offend anyone.

I will have to disagree with you. It's what I have seen as a counselor. Of course that doesn't mean much.

Even with severe trauma clients, there are always a ton of lies the person has accepted about themselves, (God if they haven't rejected him), others, the world. They also tend to struggle with poor sleep, nightmares, and other dysfunctional lifestyle choices as a result of the trauma which makes things worse.

Sadly, medications for depression or anxiety are not a cure. It's extremely frustrating, but God can heal it all.

 

[cheeky200386]

Is that the University College London study? Are you basing your opinion on the results of this one study?

I don’t suffer from depression, but I do have a chemical imbalance that results in a medical diagnosis of panic disorder/anxiety disorder.

I’ll continue to take the medications that have helped me for the last 35 years and thank God for them.

Nobody is telling you to stop taking your medications. I'm glad they are working for you. I have seen medications help many folks as well as see them destroy people. Sadly it's not an exact science.

Just telling you of the new research study that came out. It's also based on what I have seen over the past decade working as a mental health cousnelor. We'll just have to disagree on this.

It is interesting that medications are never given based on the exact chemicals the person needs. Nor is the chemical imbalance the patient has ever discovered.

 

[Amethyst]

Even with severe trauma clients, there are always a ton of lies the person has accepted about themselves, (God if they haven't rejected him), others, the world. They also tend to struggle with poor sleep, nightmares, and other dysfunctional lifestyle choices as a result of the trauma which makes things worse.

For me this was all definitely true

 

[yeshua'sbride]

It is interesting that medications are never given based on the exact chemicals the person needs. Nor is the chemical imbalance the patient has ever discovered.

I'll admit, that is interesting.

So, are you saying the medical community takes a shot in the dark each time they prescribe these drugs and hope they work for each patient? I'd really like to understand.

 

[cheeky200386]

I'll admit, that is interesting.

So, are you saying the medical community takes a shot in the dark each time they prescribe these drugs and hope they work for each patient? I'd really like to understand.

I think they base their decisions on the best research they have available and set a standard to which they start on. Yet even then, ask any psychiatrist and they all admit you may have to try various medications and various dosages before they find the right one.

They also consider the patient's medical conditions, other medications they're taking, if family members have ever been on medications that have helped (since these disorders can run in families). I know many who really want to help people but the science just isn't exact.

I'm more skeptical of the research out there by Big Pharma who promotes certain medications for disorders. Mainly, because I was on a research team at the Psychiatry Department at UMass Medical School in MA. We accepted a multi-million dollar contract for Sertraline and I forget the other drug. It was 10 years ago. We were specifically ordered not to include any adverse reactions that occured outside of the small window of time we followed the patients for. I was deeply troubled by that. That seems like incredibly important information for a future patient. In medicine trials, research patients are often followed for a few months, in some cases, and that's it. That's troubling to me.

The doctors may be doing the best they can but they are basing decisions on research that is heavily influenced by greedy pharmaceuticals. I always advise against starting with medicine and on doing heavy research when my clients ask about medicine. It's too invasive and can seriously damage people.

I would chalk this up to just my one experience. Sadly, one of my Christian friends and a previous client, in the Pharmaceutical research industry, both had the same experiences with various Pharma companies in Boston MA. They both considered changing careers because of how unethical the field is. It wasn't centered on just one company.

Pray for the researchers in these fields. They are surrounded by greedy management and staff and can be blacklisted if they rock the boat too much. Whistleblowing is not welcomed.

 

[yeshua'sbride]

I think they base their decisions on the best research they have available and set a standard to which they start on. Yet even then, ask any psychiatrist and they all admit you may have to try various medications and various dosages before they find the right one.

They also consider the patient's medical conditions, other medications they're taking, if family members have ever been on medications that have helped (since these disorders can run in families). I know many who really want to help people but the science just isn't exact.

This has been my exact experience. Seems so random. I guess it’s by God’s grace that my medications work for me at all. I just wish they worked for everybody.

You’ll get no argument from me as far as unethical happenings at UMASS Medical Center and in Big Pharma. Unfortunately, I have knowledge of both.

I sure can’t wait for the day none of these things will matter. Every part of us will be made perfect and whole, and we’ll never be vexed by this world again.

Thanks, cheeky!

 

[cheeky200386]

This has been my exact experience. Seems so random. I guess it’s by God’s grace that my medications work for me at all. I just wish they worked for everybody.

You’ll get no argument from me as far as unethical happenings at UMASS Medical Center and in Big Pharma. Unfortunately, I have knowledge of both.

I sure can’t wait for the day none of these things will matter. Every part of us will be made perfect and whole, and we’ll never be vexed by this world again.

Thanks, cheeky!

I can't wait either!! You're welcome and God bless you too. I'm so happy when people find medications that do work for them. That's the best outcome. I have seen them save people from psychotic episodes and I have seen people come out of incredible mental fogs where they can't form sentences. I can't deny they have their place.

 

[Umbrella Girl]

It is a result of doubt in God, lack of faith, consequences of sin, spiritual attack, and can be physical due to poor sleep, poor diet, thyroid issues etc...

Do you think these are also possible causes of a child under 10 years old suffering from depression and anxiety?

 

[cheeky200386]

Do you think these are also possible causes of a child under 10 years old suffering from depression and anxiety?

Do you mean that the Depression and Anxiety came first and caused the list I wrote? I want to make sure I understand the question.

I think you're asking me if I think that spiritual attack, sin, lack of faith/doubt in God, physical ailments are a result of childhood depression and anxiety. Is that correct?

 

[Umbrella Girl]

Do you mean that the Depression and Anxiety came first and caused the list I wrote? I want to make sure I understand the question.

I think you're asking me if I think that spiritual attack, sin, lack of faith/doubt in God, physical ailments are a result of childhood depression and anxiety. Is that correct?

I’m not sure, and I'm a bit confused…

I had a difficult mother. She was very loving and affectionate, and I never doubted her love for a moment. But I believe she had undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder, which they didn’t know much about 40 years ago, and which gave her an explosive, irrational, hair trigger temper, among certain other difficult traits. Yet on some level, even at that young age, I realized that my mother just couldn’t help it, that she never intended to hurt me, but that her brain was simply “wired” differently from “normal” mothers…

Through the years, because she also suffered from anxiety and depression, she was given various antidepressants, none of which ever helped. And she had never learned any coping mechanisms in order to help her regulate painful emotions. So as a result, those closest to her took the brunt of her distress…

Anyway, I believe that my lifelong struggle with deep sadness and overwhelming anxiety is a direct result of witnessing her many meltdowns, both the ones directed at me, and the ones directed at others…

 

[cheeky200386]

I’m not sure, and I'm a bit confused…

I had a difficult mother. She was very loving and affectionate, and I never doubted her love for a moment. But I believe she had undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder, which they didn’t know much about 40 years ago, and which gave her an explosive, irrational, hair trigger temper, among certain other difficult traits. Yet on some level, even at that young age, I realized that my mother just couldn’t help it, that she never intended to hurt me, but that her brain was simply “wired” differently from “normal” mothers…

Through the years, because she also suffered from anxiety and depression, she was given various antidepressants, none of which ever helped. And she had never learned any coping mechanisms in order to help her regulate painful emotions. So as a result, those closest to her took the brunt of her distress…

Anyway, I believe that my lifelong struggle with deep sadness and overwhelming anxiety is a direct result of witnessing her many meltdowns, both the ones directed at me, and the ones directed at others…

I want to let you know that I read your comment but I want to give it much thought and prayer before I respond. I'm getting ready to go to bed and don't want you to think I won't be responding since I did put a sad face.

I'm humbled with you sharing such a vulnerable part of your life and it deserves a thoughtful response. I'm hoping I'll write my comment later tomorrow after church and more prayer.

 

[RestInHim]

Stress and worry is not a disease its a choice. Worry and Stress is always self centered.

We all experience stress and worry and yes they are sin, BUT, that does not mean we can eliminate these two "sin's" in particular from our lives entirely just like we can not eliminate any other sin entirely, we still sin. We all have sin in our lives pretty much every day and that also means we are experiencing the physical effects of sin in our bodies. We experience diseases and are affected by so many things like chemicals, poisons, toxins, viruses, bacteria, drugs/medications. We cannot as humans, even the best Dr's cannot know for certain what is happening in our very intricate bodies, only God knows ALL and everything. He is our great Physician.

Everyday, each and everyone of us is inching closer and closer to death, our bodies are slowly dying and sadly even for some who are young their bodies can be suffering or diseased.

Who is to say what could be going on in people's bodies that would cause them to experience stress and worry?

Our brain is the central functioning system, it controls ALL bodily functions. There are many things that can damage the brain. For one, drugs and this includes pharmaceutical drugs. Drugs come with side-effects and can also cause damage/permanent damage. Some even come with a black box warning. Drugs, /Pharmaceutical drugs can have a laundry list of side effects like anxiety, depression, psychosis, hallucinations, blood pressure problems and on and on. Viruses, bacteria and chemicals and diseases can affect and alter the brain so that it doesn't work properly either. We live in a fallen world and non of us are immune.

We could look at anger instead of stress and worry. Anger in itself is not bad, it's what we do with it. But anger alerts us of something that is wrong. Anger can be induced by trauma and that means it can be induced by emotional as well as physical trauma. It can also be induced by drugs like alcohol and pharmaceuticals drugs.

In our gut (intestines) we have what is called Gaba Receptors. We have Gaba Receptors in our brain in an area called the limbic system where personal feelings and emotional memories are generated and stored. Because our gut and our brain is connected it influences our feelings and moods/emotions, but, can also drastically affect us in so many other ways as well. The brain can be affected and damaged just like any other part of our body can, just like we can get an ulcer from eating certain foods and we are all unique and different so what affects one person may not affect another. Our bodies are very complicated.

So, just like a person who has Autism for instance can eat broccoli and experience brain fog, so to a person who has a specific kind of damage in their body/brain they can experience stress and worry and anxiety, depression. People can suffer from a car accident and experience head trauma that causes them to have a greater amount of stress and all manner of mental/emotional issues.

Not all stress and worry is spiritual and Jesus came to bring spiritual healing to all who place their faith in Him. Till the day comes when we take our last breath, we will ALL struggle with sin (some of us will have a greater struggle) and we ALL will succumb to our bodies deteriorating, including our brains to some degree or another due to living in this fallen world.

Edit to add:
We should be careful to think we have all the answers to another person's health in any way shape or form or that we should think we can make the right choice for everyone else. This is elevating one's self above God. There is only One God and that is Jesus. Let us be loving by humbling ourselves and not thinking we have all the answers.... because we don't. We all have to make choices also when faced with sickness and suffering. Let love be without judgment! Let us be caring and gentle with each other just like Jesus is with us.

 

[RestInHim]

It is a result of doubt in God, lack of faith, consequences of sin, spiritual attack, and can be physical due to poor sleep, poor diet, thyroid issues etc...

OUCH!
20 Years ago I was fighting for my life with a laundry list of symptoms caused by Pharmaceutical drugs. Such as severe akathisia, deep dark depression, physical/mental anxiety, anger-rage, seizures and many many more. My pulse was over 200 and stayed that way for a couple of years, I didn't sleep for months and months.

I guess you could say I had stress, yup. This stress I had was drug induced! YES, it is a consequence of sin. We do not always suffer the consequences of our own sin, BUT, the sin of others and because we live in a fallen world!

Today, it is now 22 years since I have suffered an iatrogenic illness, I still suffer with severe neurological damage which affects my brain which directly affects my ability to be able to function with some healthier/normal (whatever that is?) mental function. I also have a lot of physical health issues too that are a direct result from these drugs, like thyroid issues.

As I mentioned in my previous post, many things can cause stress and worry because our brains are affected by everything pretty much.

In my early years of falling ill I was told I didn't have enough faith because I wasn't going to Church. I was so so so sick, I was literally hanging by a thread.
I never once blamed God, but, trusted Him through it all, He gave me strength and comforted me and even though I would never have chosen this suffering, I am so thankful for it because it has drawn me closer to Him.

I truly believe that those who suffer deeply are the ones who have to work harder to exercise their faith. That in no way means they don't have great faith.