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By Marja Bergen
A few months ago an acquaintance told me about her mother-in-law,
Cynthia**, who had been found to have bipolar disorder in her late
50's. Always having been a competent person, Cynthia had a great deal
of trouble coming to terms with this. She refused to accept the
diagnosis or to take the medications prescribed by her doctor. She
was hospitalized several times. Failing to cope, her life and her
family's life was in turmoil.
The evangelical faith she followed did not encourage her in her
battle. The general opinion she had grown up with was that 'emotional
problems' were an indication of not being right with God - the result
of sin.
In her mind, and in the minds of many others in her church, her
illness was not a medical issue. They believed, as one author wrote,
"If a person has the peace of God which passeth all
understanding' (Philippians 4:7) in his life he cannot have emotional
conflict. Ultimately symptoms are spiritual problems." 1
Cynthia's friend from church told her that taking medications
demonstrated a lack of faith. The friend advised her to throw away
her pills. Not long after, Cynthia was found wandering the streets of
another city, confused and in a daze. She had to be committed to
hospital against her will. To this day, she is still in denial,
feeling guilt and shame.
Hearing this story saddened me deeply. Being a Christian with bipolar
disorder, I know how important my faith is to my well-being and how
much I need the support of a church family. I am not alone in this.
And medical professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the
importance of spirituality to mental health.
Some Christian writers have revealed that a large segment of those
identifying themselves as Christians indeed cling to faulty ideas and
judgmental thinking, and lack compassion towards those with mental
illness. In spite of overwhelming evidence of biochemical factors in
mental illnesses, some well-known, respected writers and evangelists
still believe these illnesses are caused by sin and weakness of
character. In other words something that is under our control.2
The very church that preaches Christ's unconditional love and
compassion, in some instances hurts its most needy members. Some of
the dynamics contributing to this irony include:
• A fuzzy line between the psychological and the spiritual.
• The fact that one often feels an absence of hope and faith when
emotionally ill.
• A belief that being a Christian means you're emotionally healthy.
• A mistrust of modern medical findings.
• Misinterpretation of the Bible, including the biblical concept of
demon possession.
• Fear because of misunderstanding and a 'not knowing' how to help.
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At the same time, it's clear to me that not all Christians stigmatize
those with emotional problems. At the United Church I belonged to for
14 years, I was open about my disorder, having decided long ago that
if I wanted to help end the stigma, I would have to stop hiding my
condition. My church friends read the book and articles I wrote and
became familiar with my story. In spite of this (or perhaps because
of it) I was loved and accepted. I became an active member of the
congregation, taking on a number of leadership roles. Only
occasionally did I sense some awkwardness with people who were aware
of my background, but didn't know me very well.
More recently, I began attending an evangelical church and here, too,
I've found support. When I let my new pastor know about my problems,
he expressed a desire to learn about my disorder.
I haven't always been a Christian. I know what it is to be ill with,
and without, God in my life. But now, during crises, I'm no longer
alone when it becomes difficult to hang on.
I now have a spiritual lifeline, a loving God in whom I can trust. My
faith means everything to me. This is why Cynthia's story disturbs
me. Those who are in the best position to encourage her are causing
more suffering.
All of society needs to become better informed about mental
disorders. Yet, for members of faith communities, this is especially
so because of the important part they play in the emotional care of
their members. Pastors and other church leaders desperately need
education about mental health issues, so they can encourage not
reject or judge those with such difficulties.
And, such informed leaders can be a significant encouragement when
it's time for members of their pastoral community with mental health
challenges to seek medical care.
Marja Bergen is the author of Riding the Roller Coaster: Living with
Mood Disorders (Northstone, 1999) and a new book for Christians about
living successfully with bipolar disorder (to appear). She is the
founder of Living Room, a faith-based Mood Disorders Association of
BC support group. Her blog, http://marjabergen.blogspot.com, deals
with mental health and faith issues. She can be reached at
info@candidsbymarja.com.
**pseudonym
1. Solomon, C.R. (1971) Handbook of Happiness (p48) Denver Grace
Fellowship Press.
2. Carlson, D.L. (1994) Why do Christians shoot their wounded?
Intervarsity Press
1 Solomon, C.R. (1971). Handbook of Happiness (p.48). Denver: Grace
Fellowship Press.
2 Carlson, D.L. (1994). Why do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?
Helping (not hurting) those with emotional difficulties. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Marja Bergen is the author of Riding the Roller Coaster: Living with
Mood Disorders. Her second book, which is about living and coping
with bipolar disorder as a Christian, is ready for publication. She
is the founder and a facilitator of Living Room, the faith-based Mood
Disorders Association of BC support group.
June 21/2007
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I'm a mental health consumer/advocate living in Kentucky, "the buckle of the American Bible belt." It is a daily occurrence to me-- as well as to MH therapists-- to encounter folks who believe just such folklore about the immunity of Christians from mental distress, and indeed of "Bible ways" in preference to psychopharmacological treatment (for example.) Indeed, WHEN I FIRST BECAME PSYCHOTIC, I had similar mis-conceptions about standard psychiatric treatment.
With me-- and with so many others in whom I encounter such problematic thinking-- a "rounding of the corner" occurs when the consumer realizes that God-- the Author of History and All Good-- permitted effective (and essentially painless) treatments to mitigate the effects of mental illness, and that the Logos (Truth) dictates co-operation-- not conflict-- with psychiatry.
Much of the non-compliance to which we refer here stems from a Fundamentalist notion that we Disciples can heal-- as Jesus and the Apostles were said to heal in the Gospels/Acts. It would almost certainly be a kind of FALSE WITNESS to say that Christians today have such marvelous powers, and indeed the NT healings may have been of an order we know not-- having not witnessed visually/aurally what actually did happen in those contexts.
HEALING does occur in mental illness in the 21st century I know and we know: typically it is an extra-ordinarily slow process, as -- quoting Hilary Clinton a little out of context--"it takes a village" and OUR acts of will, and Providence, to effect (+) change. This is where religion could be ever so helpful-- and in the Southern U.S.A. and perhaps Fundamentalist Canada-- often is not. When the "village" of the Church becomes a therapeutic community (see the work of Maxwell Jones re "social psychiatry") then the optimum HEALING OF MENTAL ILLNESS CAN TAKE PLACE.
-- Vernon L. Stephens,M.S.S.W.
DSM IV # 350
F31.2
3:14 p.m. -- 6/23/2007
Open dialogue about mental health issues is a great way to educate people and reduce the stigma that does so much damage. I thank you for entering into this with your comments.
marja bergen
My God is not punitive nor does my God expect believers to be perfect, free from disease whether mental or physical. Belief in Jesus does not guarantee perfect health!!
Bravo, Marja! God speed with your wonderful ministry....
Congratulations for all the work you do to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. In many cultures, they don't differentiate between physical and mental illness.
Although we do, that doesn't mean we're right. Larry Dossey, M.D. has written about the healing nature of prayer for physical illness and it should be applied to mental illness as well.
I, for one, don't believes that God gives us cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes any more than He gives us bipolar disorder.
And since prayer has proven to help people "cure" these illness, I'm sure God would advocate prayer for bipolar disorder.
I am convinced it is men and women who discriminate against those of us who are deemed to be mentally ill, not God!
Marja, keep up your good work!
I am not much of a "true believer" and that is rooted in other issues in my own life, but you are doing a much better job that the many who are supposely skilled in the idea of faith, devotion and connection to a true God.
I understand what you are saying about religious people who have such a bias against their brethren who are undergoing pain, suffering and trials. They look at them as though they are being punished for unconfessed sins. These are the modern day self righteous and judgmental pharisees. Not all diseases, sufferings, pains and trials are caused by sin. We just have to look at the case of Job to prove that point. These modern day biased spiritual leaders were like the friends of Job who, instead of commiserating with his pain and suffering, accused him of abandoning God and secretly living a life of sin. We know how God severely chastised these judgmental "friends" of Job.
The case of Job shows the doctrine of God's sovereignty over all His creation. He does not have to explain His motives for each and every circumstances in His creatures' lives. Will an inventor explain to his invention why it is fuctioning as such? Surely not. But we expect God to explain to us every detail of what's happening to us and to everything else in this world.
On the other hand, we must not summarily dismiss that all diseases are organic by nature. Some diseases are caused by God's curses because of abominable sins (Exodus 20:4) that even generates generational curses up to the 4th generation. Others can also be attributed to demon oppressions as characterized by many events in the Bible where Jesus Christ healed people of demon oppressed diseases. Deuteronomy 28:1 describes all the blessings to be imparted to those obedient to God's commands and verse 15
describes the curses that will entail those who are disobedient.
The mind is very vulnerable to manipulations and control of the enemy, especially if we do not put it under the control of the Holy Spirit. The antidote to this is the renewing of our mind as stated in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will." We could turn our attention away from our pain and suffering and instead refocus it to Jesus Christ and His promises. Or we could offer our pains and sufferings as burnt offerings, of sweet aroma and pleasing to our sovereign God. In due time, He will ease our pains and give us comfort and the joy of His presence.
I love the Lord. He walks with me through the mental illness in the same way that He walks with me through all the other things that happen in my life. Sometimes He changes circumstances, sometimes He changes me. He enables me to have peace in all circumstances when I ask Him and let Him..... but it is not easy...
Of course God could heal me, of somethings He has, I don't now why not this, but I trust Him..(most of the time)
I find many people in my church are afraid of mental illness... in them or others. It causes them to say stupid, thoughtless and hurtful things. It takes willingness to want to care, education, time spent with mentally ill people and of course, asking God to teach you, to enable people to become comfortable and supportive of people with mental illness. I do see people changing in their attitude.
I feel like Michael does. God has made me bipolar and I've come to look on it as a gift. I am able to feel more deeply than the average person. Many creative gifts have come along with this illness and I am deeply grateful for them. Not only that, but I am able to understand and connect with so many others who suffer. I'm able to comfort as God comforts me and that gives me great joy.
Life is a struggle and extremely painful at times, but through it God has shown me his goodness and his love. I am thankful for his many gifts.
If you can accept this illness as you would accept any other kind of illness, you will find it easier to deal with - especially since your son is doing well. Try not to internalize the stigma. The stigma that exists towards illnesses like this are very wrong. It's time for a more mature understanding. I believe there will be a time when people will be more ready to learn, more compassionate. This is something I truly believe - something I hope for.
I believe in giving thanks too. And though I have suffered greatly with this disorder, God has helped me learn from it too. I'm not unhappy with the way God made me - bipolar and all. I thank God. He is good. Life is good.
Thank you for your work in this area.
I am Bipolar and I have been a Christian since I was 9 years old.
I was not diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder until my mid-30's and I have certainly had friends, co-workers, etc criticize and/or judge me for not living a "Christian" life, or I would not have this crisis.
However, I have been very close with The Lord ALL of my life.
Thus, I have been hurt, repeatedly when I have had those judgments placed on me, for an illness which (when it is active) makes no sense to me (and makes everything around me, make no sense to me).
I think that the spiritual walk and the medical walk are separate. The years preceeding my final break into full Bipolar, I was working SO hard at my walk with God, yet, I was unraveling emotionally and unable to find peace or mental calmness regardless of what I did, regardless of how I prayed, etc.
I believe that Bipolar was climbing in me, during those years, but I did not seek help because I thought it was a "spiritual" issue and that I was not seeking peace hard enough.
When I finally ended up being hospitalized, twice, and almost committing suicide...when I was finally placed on the appropriate medications....My spiritual life has been able to grow and flourish again.
I just really, really get upset with the people who are unable to see beyond the fact that the medications help me vs. hinder me.
I thank God for the medications and the Physicians. I believe God gave them the wisdom to allow me a fabulous life!
I get terribly upset too. We need to find a way to educate and educate.
I'm glad you are on medications that help you. Effective medications are a gift from God.
I look at the thoughts presented in the previous threads differently and as these are MY opinions and beliefs I offer them only as suggested food for thought---and criticism.
I believe many religious practices today stem from distortions of the fundamental tenets of those religions. Hence we see Islamic fundamentalism, Judaic fundamentalism and Christian fundamentalism as destructive forces opposed to the peace God desires for the universe. Disorders whether physical or neurological are caused by sin. Original sin---when man first turned from God. God said "you're on your own now" and subject to the vagaries of nature which I created according to logic but even a logical universe has uncertainty (see Heisenberg). Nature behaves by a trial and error process. But it's not illogical only uncertain. Humans had the choice to break with the vagaries of evolution but chose not to. So here we are with all the imperfections of that haphazard path since the birth of man. Carrying diseases, neurologic aberrations---genetic aberrations, wars, greed, pride and misuse of our roles as stewards as God intended.
But to be certain they are NOT caused by any individual alone. We each inherit a different dose of that imperfection from the first human. Most times we're born with it but sometimes the problems of our parents manifest themselves in the way we're nurtured---or not nurtured. IT manifests itself as diabetes, BP, OCD, schizophrenia, and the mania of the Milosevic's and Hitler's, the Lee Harvey Oswald's and Ted Bundy's. And they aren't attributable to satan---only the absence of God. It is NOT that persons fault but our collective faults as humans that causes disease. This is both literal and figurative---we created DDT, the atomic bomb and thalidomide. Maybe the poisons in our food (preservatives, colors, etc)cause autism, ADD and other abnormalities that seem to be on the rise. And abuse of "sacred literature" has let to the aberrant beliefs that destroy lives everyday.
But God gave man two qualities before he screwed up: intelligence and free will. The free will caused problems right from the beginning. But the intelligence in combination with free will will serve as man's salvation. To help him find his way back home---to God. God loves all of us even those who we feel are repugnant.
Pharmaceuticals have their place and for me at times they have brought me back from the brink. But they may have also caused me irreparable harm. Moderation as a Buddist would say is what is needed. I have taken every class of neuropharmaceuticals from MAOs to SSRIs at some point in my life but 18 months ago I stopped against the advice of my psychiatrist. She wanted me to take lamictal as it is believed that it works for OCD. I said no. Now she is learning from me as I believe there is a path through the ultimate reality that leads to healing. But sometimes it does take drugs or meditation or exercise or pure food or study of the Koran. Or study of scientific documentation as well as trying to read the greek of the new testament or the Pali canons.
I know a person that has BPD and lamictal helped to get her life in order. But that wouldn't work for me. Or at least I don't think so. I believe there is no one path for all of us and we must find it on our own by questioning everything we thought we knew---everything. I ask questions everyday and little by little the answers come. Not easy necessarily; sometimes by extremely hard work. Some answers may not come until my dying day---if then. But I won't stop asking because God is great and loves all of us and desires to share the secrets of the universe with us. It took surrender on my part---surrender of what I thought I knew--to find what I know. And I did it freely.
Jesus heals the same today as He did in the bible. In Luke 8:26-33 we see a man that was not right in his mind who had demons and was completely healed. In Mat. 17:14-21 we see a child who had epilepsy, healed by casting out demons. The first sign which is to follow the believer is to cast out demons. Mark 16:17 If we are believer's in Christ then these signs should be following us. This is why the body of Christ is so weak today, Chrstian's are hurting emotionally, bound by sin and need deliverance. Deliverance is for today. Jesus went into the synagogues daily preaching the gospel and casting out demons, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil. If he did it in the churches then then we need to do it today. Many people have been healed through deliverance, People healed of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, neck & back problems, headaches, high blood pressure, tumors, and variuos phyisical infirmities. Seen others set free from addictive compulsive habits and others from depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar, mental illness, a low self-image, rejection, insecurity, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, fear and hurts and wounds from the past. This is not to come against anyone, It's the truth from the word of God....If you would like to learn more about deliverance or why we are effected by these things or would like to recieve deliverance. Contact me. k_smith777@hotmail.com
However, there is a spiritual dimension of mental illness that is almost completely ignored by modern psychiatry: there are dark forces at work that contribute greatly to mental illness. For more information see the Spiritual Science Research Foundation website (http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org): they have a section on spiritual causes of mental illness. For example, I personally believe that people diagnosed with schizophrenia who hear voices are being attacked by dark entities. Modern psychiatry calls these voices "auditory hallucinations". They are not hallucinations, they are real voices.
Nutrition is also extremely important to mental health, and this is also neglected by almost all modern psychiatrists.