Dr. Phil gives sound Biblical counseling on reducing stress.

[penbrat]

Honestly, some of the comments on this thread have been judgemental and hurtful to those with mental illness.

Most of the posts on this thread have been thoughtful and kind. And I appreciate how transparent some have been with their own struggles. But I agree that a few of the posts have been very judgemental and rude. As someone who has struggled with fear and anxiety and depression and then to have other believers insinuate that it is because of a lack of faith or something I have chosen, is wrong. You have not walked in my shoes and I hope you never have to. But please don't ever say things about someone else's faith or mental health. I don't care if you are a counselor or whatever, you don't know me. God is the only thing that has kept me going through my struggles and I have not chosen to be like this or have a weak faith.
I was going to stay off of this thread but a few of the responses made me come back to post.

 

[Andy C]

Most of the posts on this thread have been thoughtful and kind. And I appreciate how transparent some have been with their own struggles. But I agree that a few of the posts have been very judgemental and rude. As someone who has struggled with fear and anxiety and depression and then to have other believers insinuate that it is because of a lack of faith or something I have chosen, is wrong. You have not walked in my shoes and I hope you never have to. But please don't ever say things about someone else's faith or mental health. I don't care if you are a counselor or whatever, you don't know me. God is the only thing that has kept me going through my struggles and I have not chosen to be like this or have a weak faith.
I was going to stay off of this thread but a few of the responses made me come back to post.

Some of the responses in this thread remind me of the below story.

My best friend in NC, served for over 30 years as a Deacon (rotating basis) in our church. He also was an excellent bible study group leader. What he did the most as a Deacon, was lead teams in grief counseling. He made dozens of visits with familes who had just lost a loved one. He felt he was called to do this, and others were glad he was the one offering grief counseling.

Sadly, in 2017, his wife of over 30 years, died suddenly of a massive heart attack. There were no concerns of any medical conditions before her death. She went upstairs to take a bath, and when the husband got concerned about the water running so long, he went up to the bathroom and found her on the floor, never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after by the medical responders.

My friend went in to deep depression, and nothing seemed to help him. I flew back to NC shortly after her death, and we had a few long talks. I was very surprised to see such a strong physical man so broken. I asked him about all his expertise in grief counseling, and if that helped him, and his response surprised me. He said “I knew nothing, but only thought I knew what I was talking about”. He further added “Until you personally experience a loved ones death, you only think you know what your talking about, and what others are going through”.

 

[Amethyst]

He said “I knew nothing, but only thought I knew what I was talking about”. He further added “Until you personally experience a loved ones death, you only think you know what your talking about, and what others are going through”

Very true.
Depression can be a deep dark cloud that no one who hasn’t been there can understand.

I do know some who would say “well that man should’ve just acknowledged that God knew best by taking her at that time and if he would just confess his sinfulness about it in doubting God then his depression would go away.”

But depression doesn’t work like that.

 

[Andy C]

Very true.
Depression can be a deep dark cloud that no one who hasn’t been there can understand.

I do know some who would say “well that man should’ve just acknowledged that God knew best by taking her at that time and if he would just confess his sinfulness about it in doubting God then his depression would go away.”

But depression doesn’t work like that.

He told me prayer was very hard for him a short time after her death. Again, it was shocking to hear him say this. He knew all the relevant scriptures, but just felt so defeated, and for a brief time, was angry at God.

Just for the record - A few years later, he married another strong Christian woman, and is back to teaching bible study.

 

[yeshua'sbride]

Some of the responses in this thread remind me of the below story.

My best friend in NC, served for over 30 years as a Deacon (rotating basis) in our church. He also was an excellent bible study group leader. What he did the most as a Deacon, was lead teams in grief counseling. He made dozens of visits with familes who had just lost a loved one. He felt he was called to do this, and others were glad he was the one offering grief counseling.

Sadly, in 2017, his wife of over 30 years, died suddenly of a massive heart attack. There were no concerns of any medical conditions before her death. She went upstairs to take a bath, and when the husband got concerned about the water running so long, he went up to the bathroom and found her on the floor, never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after by the medical responders.

My friend went in to deep depression, and nothing seemed to help him. I flew back to NC shortly after her death, and we had a few long talks. I was very surprised to see such a strong physical man so broken. I asked him about all his expertise in grief counseling, and if that helped him, and his response surprised me. He said “I knew nothing, but only thought I knew what I was talking about”. He further added “Until you personally experience a loved ones death, you only think you know what your talking about, and what others are going through”.

Nothing opens a person’s eyes quite like personal experience. I’ve had to eat my words more times than I’d like to admit.

 

[Amethyst]

Nothing opens a person’s eyes quite like personal experience.

Kind of relates to "Job's" friends in that they had no idea what he was going through with the loss of his whole family. But, they did have a lot of "advice" for him.

 

[GoldenEagle]

Lack of personal experience sprinkled with a touch of legalism/works based salvation and self righteousness is a lethal mix for sure.

 

[daygo]

Most of the posts on this thread have been thoughtful and kind. And I appreciate how transparent some have been with their own struggles. But I agree that a few of the posts have been very judgemental and rude. As someone who has struggled with fear and anxiety and depression and then to have other believers insinuate that it is because of a lack of faith or something I have chosen, is wrong. You have not walked in my shoes and I hope you never have to. But please don't ever say things about someone else's faith or mental health. I don't care if you are a counselor or whatever, you don't know me. God is the only thing that has kept me going through my struggles and I have not chosen to be like this or have a weak faith.
I was going to stay off of this thread but a few of the responses made me come back to post.

Honest, agree with you and know how you feel.

 

[cheeky200386]

I agree that mental health issues can be due to physical reasons as it can also be because of faith/spiritual issues. I don't know why people can't accept it can be a complicated issue??

It's not just all physical all of the time. I do believe the spiritual component can make it worse because demons can take advantage of us when we are struggling due to physical reasons. I have seen this thousands of times with clients. I have also seen it where clients have physical reasons for their struggles and find help in physical solutions.

I don't know if any one has a problem with this but it's just reality. It just seems like we can never say there is a spiritual component ever.

 

[cheeky200386]

Most of the posts on this thread have been thoughtful and kind. And I appreciate how transparent some have been with their own struggles. But I agree that a few of the posts have been very judgemental and rude. As someone who has struggled with fear and anxiety and depression and then to have other believers insinuate that it is because of a lack of faith or something I have chosen, is wrong. You have not walked in my shoes and I hope you never have to. But please don't ever say things about someone else's faith or mental health. I don't care if you are a counselor or whatever, you don't know me. God is the only thing that has kept me going through my struggles and I have not chosen to be like this or have a weak faith.
I was going to stay off of this thread but a few of the responses made me come back to post.

I can't comment about your ailments, but as a counselor I do comment on the clients that see me. That's why they see me. There are many times where mental health issues are a result of sin, faith issues, poor doctrine, or physical reasons. It can be complicated but I can tell you mental health is not always just due to physical reasons just as it's not always due to faith issues.

You may not be stating this so disregard. It gets quite annoying when faith can never be considered as a case for why someone could be struggling with their mental health without someone getting offended. It's like we went from one extreme of saying it's always Faith related to the other extreme of saying it's never Faith related. Neither are correct.

 

[lightofmylife]

Satan brings fear/confusion in our minds we are in a spiritual/Spiritual battleI like these scriptures to dwell on. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-4-8/ Also, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-6-11/

 

[daygo]

I agree that mental health issues can be due to physical reasons as it can also be because of faith/spiritual issues. I don't know why people can't accept it can be a complicated issue??

It's not just all physical all of the time. I do believe the spiritual component can make it worse because demons can take advantage of us when we are struggling due to physical reasons. I have seen this thousands of times with clients. I have also seen it where clients have physical reasons for their struggles and find help in physical solutions.

I don't know if any one has a problem with this but it's just reality. It just seems like we can never say there is a spiritual component ever.

Agree.

 

[Andy C]

It gets quite annoying when faith can never be considered as a case for why someone could be struggling with their mental health without someone getting offended. It's like we went from one extreme of saying it's always Faith related to the other extreme of saying it's never Faith related. Neither are correct.

Faith can be considered in some cases, but IMO, thats not the norm of the cause of mental health issues.

Satan and his many minions can also be the cause, but there are probably not near enough of them to be attacking everyone.

IMO, some of your posts seem to put heavy emphasis on it must be a lack of strong faith when it comes to stress, anxiety, depression, when it probably is simply a result in how are human bodies and brains have fallen since great, great………… grandma Eve ate of the fruit.

 

[cheeky200386]

Faith can be considered in some cases, but IMO, thats not the norm of the cause of mental health issues.

Satan and his many minions can also be the cause, but there are probably not near enough of them to be attacking everyone.

IMO, some of your posts seem to put heavy emphasis on it must be a lack of strong faith when it comes to stress, anxiety, depression, when it probably is simply a result in how are human bodies and brains have fallen since great, great………… grandma Eve ate of the fruit.

I'm just sharing based on what I've seen over the years. I have seen both physical and spiritual causes. In the case of physical causes I often see despair and doubt creep in, and then the spiritual aspect makes things worse. If I'm dealing with a chronic issue every day for years, it's easy to lose sight of eternity and become worse. That's the spiritual component playing but the original cause was physical.

I have seen where the person has no faith in God, meaning they are lost and as a result make decisions based on their sin and worldview which results in depression or anxiety. Or I've seen Christian women that believe lies from their dysfunctional families because they don't know what God says about them, nor do they read their Bibles and they get and anxiety and depression as a result. Once they are given scripture and start reading for themselves many of them find they don't have the fears or depression they once had.

For those that have those mental health issues due to physical issues, I find that listening to God's Word more helps them cope with their symptoms better. It doesn't always cure them because it is physical and lifelong, it just helps them manage as they keep their eyes on eternity where they will be cured. They may take medication to help them cope but the depression or anxiety never fully go away.

I'm sorry if that offends anyone on here. I will have to agree to disagree with anyone who says it's always just physical. As I said before, it's not always spiritual either. It's foolish to think it's always just one or the other. It seems folks get upset if it's ever insinuated that it could sometimes be spiritual in nature, as if that never happens. Every case is different and would have to be assessed. But to claim it never is, is folly.

My problem with medications is that they are often seen as a cure when they are not. Thus I'm not convinced that it is always a chemical imbalance.

 

[daygo]

I can't comment about your ailments, but as a counselor I do comment on the clients that see me. That's why they see me. There are many times where mental health issues are a result of sin, faith issues, poor doctrine, or physical reasons. It can be complicated but I can tell you mental health is not always just due to physical reasons just as it's not always due to faith issues.

You may not be stating this so disregard. It gets quite annoying when faith can never be considered as a case for why someone could be struggling with their mental health without someone getting offended. It's like we went from one extreme of saying it's always Faith related to the other extreme of saying it's never Faith related. Neither are correct.

Well said.

 

[daygo]

I'm just sharing based on what I've seen over the years. I have seen both physical and spiritual causes. In the case of physical causes I often see despair and doubt creep in, and then the spiritual aspect makes things worse. If I'm dealing with a chronic issue every day for years, it's easy to lose sight of eternity and become worse. That's the spiritual component playing but the original cause was physical.

I have seen where the person has no faith in God, meaning they are lost and as a result make decisions based on their sin and worldview which results in depression or anxiety. Or I've seen Christian women that believe lies from their dysfunctional families because they don't know what God says about them, nor do they read their Bibles and they get and anxiety and depression as a result. Once they are given scripture and start reading for themselves many of them find they don't have the fears or depression they once had.

For those that have those mental health issues due to physical issues, I find that listening to God's Word more helps them cope with their symptoms better. It doesn't always cure them because it is physical and lifelong, it just helps them manage as they keep their eyes on eternity where they will be cured. They may take medication to help them cope but the depression or anxiety never fully go away.

I'm sorry if that offends anyone on here. I will have to agree to disagree with anyone who says it's always just physical. As I said before, it's not always spiritual either. It's foolish to think it's always just one or the other. It seems folks get upset if it's ever insinuated that it could sometimes be spiritual in nature, as if that never happens. Every case is different and would have to be assessed. But to claim it never is, is folly.

My problem with medications is that they are often seen as a cure when they are not. Thus I'm not convinced that it is always a chemical imbalance.

Your right however it's more than physical and spiritual, it's a lot of things, too much to go into here.

 

[cheeky200386]

Your right however it's more than physical and spiritual, it's a lot of things, too much to go into here.

I'm so glad you said this. It's often so complicated I would have to share actual case examples to show the complexities of how both factors play a role, in addition to so many others like trauma. Yet, I have seen how little knowledge of God's Word is more common at the core of depression and anxiety than people want to accept. People believing lies is what I most often see. I will occasionally see clients where it's purely physical but that is more rare.

I just don't care enough to go that detailed on here. If people want to get offended when someone says it could be faith, sin, not knowing God enough, not believing his Word just like it can also be physical, trauma, and a combo of all etc.. Then whatever.

 

[daygo]

I'm so glad you said this. It's often so complicated I would have to share actual case examples to show the complexities of how both factors play a role, in addition to so many others like trauma. Yet, I have seen how little knowledge of God's Word is more common at the core of depression and anxiety than people want to accept. People believing lies is what I most often see. I will occasionally see clients where it's purely physical but that is more rare.

I just don't care enough to go that detailed on here. If people want to get offended when someone says it could be faith, sin, not knowing God enough, not believing his Word just like it can also be physical, trauma, and a combo of all etc.. Then whatever.

I know exactly how you feel, will just say have been involved in mental health for 30 yrs, been there, done it so to speak do not want to elaborate for making people think im an expert when im not, so will leave it at that.

 

[lightofmylife]

I'm so glad you said this. It's often so complicated I would have to share actual case examples to show the complexities of how both factors play a role, in addition to so many others like trauma. Yet, I have seen how little knowledge of God's Word is more common at the core of depression and anxiety than people want to accept. People believing lies is what I most often see. I will occasionally see clients where it's purely physical but that is more rare.

I just don't care enough to go that detailed on here. If people want to get offended when someone says it could be faith, sin, not knowing God enough, not believing his Word just like it can also be physical, trauma, and a combo of all etc.. Then whatever.

I had a doctor's appointment on the 7th of this month. I am going to a different doctor because my doctor is not practicing now or may no longer at all. The entire building is closed no other doctors to see. So I saw this new doctor for the 1st time 3 days ago in Blue Spgs, Mo. It is about a 20-25 minute drive. Something occurred that never happened before. There were 2 questions to answer on a paper. 1. Do you have little interest or pleasure in doing things? My answer not at all. 2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless? My answer not at all. There were no questions on the paper about falling yet in her notes on my health

portal it had questions that was never answered by me such as 1.No fall risk factors, and 2. No falls in the last year. During the almost 8 years of seeing my last doctor these questions were never asked. I called and asked the office why these questions were on my visit notes on my health portal, and she said they are required to ask them. So this is something new they are doing. One time the pharmacy I go to which is Walmart the pharmacist actually told me he was on a pill that gave him suicidal thoughts. I was really surprised that he confided in me about that.

 

[cheeky200386]

I had a doctor's appointment on the 7th of this month. I am going to a different doctor because my doctor is not practicing now or may no longer at all. The entire building is closed no other doctors to see. So I saw this new doctor for the 1st time 3 days ago in Blue Spgs, Mo. It is about a 20-25 minute drive. Something occurred that never happened before. There were 2 questions to answer on a paper. 1. Do you have little interest or pleasure in doing things? My answer not at all. 2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless? My answer not at all. There were no questions on the paper about falling yet in her notes on my health

portal it had questions that was never answered by me such as 1.No fall risk factors, and 2. No falls in the last year. During the almost 8 years of seeing my last doctor these questions were never asked. I called and asked the office why these questions were on my visit notes on my health portal, and she said they are required to ask them. So this is something new they are doing. One time the pharmacy I go to which is Walmart the pharmacist actually told me he was on a pill that gave him suicidal thoughts. I was really surprised that he confided in me about that.

I've seen that happen with clients too. They are supposed to be warned that many antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts. Often they're shocked when I let them know but at least then we can monitor for it.