Mental Illness: Faulty Neuro-Circuitry or Spiritual/Demonic Component?

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As a mental health professional, I have to agree with JCPhoenix’s assessment, based on the very little information given. This patient does sound like she has Borderline Personality Disorder, possibly with Narcissistic features. Denny, you might agree also. BTW, I didn’t realize that you had your PSYD. Congrats! WhiteDove, please do not be judgemental of your patients. Mental illness, especially a Personality Disorder, is a very distressing thing, especially given the social stigma attached. These people do not behave the way they do by choice. There is no definitive answer as to why people become mentally ill, but there is certainly a genetic piece to some illnesses, and certainly chemical imbalances to some illnesses. Thank God that the discipline has advanced as far as it has, that so many illnesses can be helped.

Peace,
Linda
 
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WhiteDove:
I really am torn and confused about this subject. Also, I’m skeptical about all the claims made by modern psychiatry, which usually ignores and denies the spiritual side of life.

It seems as if the trend in the past 20 years is to blame most weaknessess on genetic or congenital problems. Psychiatry has gone from psychotherapy to heavy reliance on pharmacuticals to relieve mental disorders, blaming everything from depression to sociopathic behaviour on chemical imbalances that are out of our control. It seems as if the idea of freewill and individual responsibilty are considered quaint and outmoded. And, the concept of sin is absolutely medieval, especially in the realm of sexual behaviour, leading to harmful repression.

Is this modern heresay? Are we letting an atheistic pychological industry redefine our outlook on the problem of sin and evil?
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For those of you who have said “I have very little patience for the mentally ill”, I wonder how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of someone who has “little patience”? My son was bipolar (he died last year) and I saw him suffer and suffer and suffer with his illness. He never once complained about his condition, but he was mistreated by sooooooo many people. I know they meant well, but the mistreatment and misunderstanding of his affliction only added to his suffering. I am not talking about those who genuinely cared and who helped him to set limits in his life and who helped him with true love in their hearts.

For those who “have little patience”, may God soften your hearts…may you put yourself in the place of those who suffer…it is for people such as these that Jesus came. He loves them with a tender, compassionate love. Pray that you can look upon these suffering members of His Body with love and genuine compassion. They are very close to His heart.

Mary
 
Hi Mary -

I’m very sorry about your son, and what both of you had to go thru.

I’m the one who made the comment about not having patience. What I meant was that those of us who do not act or react “normally” are difficult to deal with. I don’t know how many times I was told just to “get my act together”. As you know, that’s just not possible without help, love & understanding.
 
Dear Bonnie,
I don’t think I ever said that everyone with mental illness has a severe character flaw, and I also mentioned that psychotrophic meds are sometimes appropriate. I’m glad they helped you.

I have a very good friend whose 18 yr old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia last year, and was in a psyche unit for awhile. He’s now in a group home. I know from her what an agonizing cross this is to bear. Also, I myself have struggled with ‘character flaws’ from my childhood which have taken years to overcome. I look back now and see that I was beset by fears of people and new situations that severely handicapped my life.

As some people have said, the human psyche is a very complex thing. I do, however, find some modern approaches to psychiatry to be overly reliant on medications and sorely lacking in a holistic approach.
 
Bonnie, I knew what your post meant…God bless you, my friend. 🙂 I didn’t have you in mind at all when I wrote that. There are other posts with those words in the text. My intent here is not to start any “you said, I said”…that’s why I mentioned no names. I know that everyone in this thread is seeking the truth, otherwise they wouldn’t take the time to be on the boards and on this thread. My reason was to let people know that those who are mentally ill SUFFER. (In fact, I believe that my son’s purgatory was right here on earth.) They don’t choose their lot in life, and, yes, taking responsibility for themselves is a huge factor in improving things. However, some are so ill they can’t help themselves. How would Jesus treat them? We need to imitate Him by looking upon ALL people as Jesus suffering, even and especially the mentally ill.
His love will help all of us to help heal the wounds of being a fallen race.

God love you all,

Mary
 
White Dove,

I have a fair understanding of your vocation. In addition to my picking up my PsyD this year, my mom is a RN (25years!) and my baby brother just received his PharmD as well! My mom is a visiting nurse and that means aside from a whole lot of travel, little pay, meager benefits, she has to deal with a very, very diverse population and even more diverse surroundings. I can understand the feeling you have towards your patient. Frankly, it is natural. When coupled with the rigors of the daily life of visiting nurse, well, it should be expected. I have more respect for nurses than I do any doctors including myself precisely because they are on the front lines of health care and as a result I have found that most nurses have a better assessment of their patients - certainly better than most doctors do.

I don’t think that you are particularly mean in your feelings, thoughts towards your patient. I didn’t even think that your initial post was from a core of hate, bitterness, or anger towards the mentally afflicted, hence my “?” mark and my questions.

I am inclined to agree with the assessments of JC Phoenix and Linda regarding this patient. My question would be, and please forgive me for asking it, why wasn’t a psyche nurse sent out in the first place? If there is a history of this sort, it seems to me that there was a failure on the part of either the PCP in directing this case towards your company, or a failure in the assignment of the case. Not that I am questioning your abilities, for I am not. However, given what you have revealed about this case I can not help but wonder where the thinking was in a non psyche nurse being assigned the case.

I know you know this, but as “anything” can happen in a home environment when visiting a patient, I would ask you to be particularly careful. Keep close tabs on the child, the grandma and especially yourself. While I do not think that any sort of imminent danger is present I would exercise caution as a matter of prudence. The defenseless and the weak can get hurt in a situation where there is not constant observation for someone suffering with personality disorders and if it is borderline everything should be copacetic, however if it is not well then some changes would have to be made. I am sure you are aware of these things, so there probably wasn’t any need bringing them up, however as my mom, who is a psyche nurse, was once attacked by a patient suffering from a different disorder while she was treating him for his diabetes I always ask visiting nurses I meet to be careful. So, please be safe at every home. But especially, keep an eye towards the child and the grandma for signs of anything more serious.

Thanks for the insight into your post.🙂

Your unworthy brother in Christ and by the Grace of God a future priest,

Donnchadh
 
Linda,
Yep, I graduated this May with my PsyD. I have not, however taken my state boards, for I do not wish to immediately go into the field. Rather, I am now focusing on my priestly vocation - which means more school and that alone is the only thing I am not looking forward to in my formation! Can you believe I am going to have to take two more years of philosophy and then theology, etc? I wish I could get credit for the philosophy with my PsyD, but it doesn’t work that way in either the Maronite Catholic tradition, or, the Roman Catholic tradition. LOL - more school!!! - yuk!!! It was great that my brother received his doctorate in pharmacology at the same time! What a great Irish party we had for the two of us…😃

Irene,
You are in my prayers. There isn’t much I can say to you other than that. Just keep your meds regulated, keep attending and participating in therapy and for the love of God continue in your prayer life! A total approach towards beating this is what you need to do. You are IMP (in my prayers). I will say a prayer to St. Dymphna on yours, and everyone else who suffers here, behalf tonight in my Divine Office. God bless.

Petra,
Excellent approach! These three components are right on. I get tired of the simplistic approach I was sometimes force fed at university. Far too often medical field professionals - at all levels - forget we are spiritual beings. We need to help people in a total manner. I personally never stick with a health care provider if he/she doesn’t respect my religious convictions and work with me…I don’t care if it is my dentist or PCP.

Mary,
Can you post your son’s name? I would like to include him in my prayers to St. Dymphna as well. If you’d rather not that is OK I’ll just say Mary’s son and He will know whom I am referring to. You are also IMP.

Annunciata,
You are also IMP. Anxiety is a paralyzing disorder. My dad suffers from it since his second heart attack. Depending upon its severity and whether it is an isolate disorder (less rare), or, whether it is part of another disorder (more usual) it can control every facet of your life. You are IMP.

Bonnie,
You are also IMP. I can only imagine the great sadness you felt when you were not medicated. I have some family members who are now suffering from depression - one with the unwanted side effect of anxiety. Very sad indeed. You are IMP.

Your unworthy brother in Christ and by the Grace of God a future priest,

Donnchadh
 
Dear DCMac,
This patient had been previously admitted, approx three weeks ago, for parenteral nutritional support, had a PICC line inserted, and got started on TPN, and sent home with the PICC. (For you lay people, that’s an IV nutritional solution, at a cost of approx $600 a day. A PICC line is a periphrially inserted central catheter, a neccesity for TPN) She either DC’d the PICC or insisted it come out, I’m not certain which.

Now she was readmitted, and had had an NG (nasal gastric) feeding tube inserted that day for gastric tube feeding.(Apprx $30 a day for those of you interested in costs. These feeding solutions are similar to Ensure)

Since we are a rural county, and this is a small community hospital, we regularly get psyche type patients on Med-Surg. I’ve detoxed plenty of ETOHers (Alcoholics). We just have to handle what comes. This woman was in the hospital for a valid medical reason, she’s not the first anorexic we’ve had. The closest psyche unit is 40 minutes away. If someone is in a severe crisis and meets certain criteria, then they will be transfered there.

I did read her chart and she was receiving help from Mental Health on an outpatient basis. Anyways, she was recieving compassionate care while there, with social services giving guidelines for dealing with her difficult behaviours, but nevertheless she was a challanging patient.

Sincerely, WhiteDove
 
White Dove,

Is there something further that you, personally, could do to help patients such as these? Can you offer them help from a chaplain? Does your hospital frown on your praying with your patients? Is there a program you might possibly start that would give spiritual comfort to them? Your concern for their spiritual welfare can go far…for the mentally ill, directives about their conditions might be accepted better if they feel caring and concern about them and their future both here on earth and in the hereafter. Could volunteer visitors help out in some way? I don’t know the answers to these questions…just a few thoughts about the situation.

God bless you in your difficult and challenging role as a nurse. You have more influence in your patients’ lives than you know.

Mary
 
Dcmac -

I think you’ll make a great priest! I hope you’re really not minding the extra education - it’s a good thing to have. Our priest’s farewell homily is a case in point. He was allowed an educational short cut to the priesthood because he already had a degree in education & was past 50. Last nite I was hoping for a good explanation of the apparent contradictions between the OT & Gospel readings. Instead, we were given an inaccurate summary of The Wizard of Oz & told that what we need is already in us. :confused:

I hope our new priest does better! And if he does bring up The Wizard of Oz, I hope he has read it or seen the movie!
 
Dear Maresiedotes,
I think you offer the best advise. I’ll start praying for difficult patients while I’m at work! As far as praying with people, I would have to feel them out, that would take a lot of sensitivity. It’s hard to get that deep during a short nursing assessment, and I’m particularly skilled at drawing patient’s out. I pretty much stay off the subject of spiritual issues unless I see a direct clue in the patients room, such as a book, rosary, cross or medal, etc.

Anyways, this is an interesting subject and I hope we keep talking about it. Thanks for your imput!

WhiteDove
 
DRMaC, Re:

<Annunciata,
You are also IMP. Anxiety is a paralyzing disorder. My dad suffers from it since his second heart attack. Depending upon its severity and whether it is an isolate disorder (less rare), or, whether it is part of another disorder (more usual) it can control every facet of your life. You are IMP.>

Dear Doc,

Thanks so much for your kind words and especially your prayers. I have became more reliant on God because of my disorder…have overcome lots of the side effects such as phobias, obsessive comp…
Have gone through therapy, have mild meds, as needed,etc.
My Grandmother had it, my aunt has it, one of my brothers has it,
the rest aren’t affected. I was told the predisposition was there and the whatevers that trigger it happened to me. My children don’t have it. 🙂
 
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WhiteDove:
Dear Bonnie,
I don’t think I ever said that everyone with mental illness has a severe character flaw, and I also mentioned that psychotrophic meds are sometimes appropriate. I’m glad they helped you.

I have a very good friend whose 18 yr old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia last year, and was in a psyche unit for awhile. He’s now in a group home. I know from her what an agonizing cross this is to bear. Also, I myself have struggled with ‘character flaws’ from my childhood which have taken years to overcome. I look back now and see that I was beset by fears of people and new situations that severely handicapped my life.

As some people have said, the human psyche is a very complex thing. I do, however, find some modern approaches to psychiatry to be overly reliant on medications and sorely lacking in a holistic approach.
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Dear WhiteDove,
I’m sorry I was critical of you…your job does require the “patience of a saint” an does sound like you are very good at what you do.
Nevertheless, I just wanted to tell you that I love you ,“my sister in Christ” and be assured on my prayers.🙂
Annunciata
 
White Dove,

I’ll be praying for you. Jesus walks with you at every moment. Hold His hand as you go into each patient…

I have prayed with quite a few sick people (though I’m not a nurse),
and though it may make them feel a bit nervous at first, they invariably thank me and many give me a hug. One of the things I ALWAYS say when I’m praying is, “Lord, we know that with you, all things are possible.”

The Holy Spirit will give you the discernment, the words and the boldness you need.

Maybe God is asking you to lead people to Christ through your unique position. I’m glad He gave you the gift of drawing people out.

May He bless you and keep you.

Mary
 
We had no idea the extent of mental illness in our family until Billy died. Thankfully today my mom has been diagnosed and is (albeit with resistance) being medicated for bi-polar. I cannot tell you the struggle it was growing up with someone with undiagnosed mental illness, which is why I understand how easy it is to judge those people as being incredibly self-centered or making rash or extremely bad choices. I am finally on medication for depression and anxiety and can actually do more than go to work. I am a blessing to my church community now because I can leave the house, and I finally had the courage to get confirmed. But the cost was a beautiful precious talented life.

I believe that God has placed the burden on my shoulders of being a voice to reduce the stigma. Maybe I place it on myself, but He hasn’t told me to shut up yet 🙂 , but I try to be open at work, with friends, with everyone about my illness. Billy could not accept the stigma, so I want to remove it. We are people first. We are ill, but we are people. We can function, we can contribute, and we are made in the image and likeness of God.

The way I see it is that if people can look at me and say “That’s crazy?” and knowing the kind of person I am (I’m just as obnoxious off the boards 😃 ) the next time they meet someone who is mentally ill they won’t be so afraid, so distant, so judgmental. And if they themselves are sick, they will feel like they are in good company (did I mention I’m modest too 😛 ?). But I know, with God, I can make a difference. It might be small, but I know it is possible. I might not be able to change the system, but I can begin to plant seeds one at a time.

God Bless all of you. Thank you each of you for sharing your story.
 
Dear WhiteDove,

Does it have to be either/or. We are complex creatures (material) God created in His image(spiritual). We can get sick on both fronts and since they are all wrapped up together in our human person, they can be difficult to differentiate. We’ve come to know many different healing arts, which we can call gifts from God. We are creatures who need doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists AND priests. We are that unique animal with a spiritual being that will live forever and then hopefully be all that we can be.

In the meantime, awesome creatures that we are, we still suffer from the Big Fall. Sin certainly has an effect on all of us, as does bacteria, aging, the world, the flesh and the Devil. Sin, for instance: it’s habit forming and bad habits lead to bad choices. It usually takes doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. and priests to discover the boundaries that divide organic illness, psychosis, from spiritual maladies needing repentance, and/or deliverance. A priest in describing the effects of sin, even after repentance and absolution, explained it this way: Absolution is like pulling a nail out of a piece of wood; the nail (sin) is now gone but you’re left with a hole. In our case, the hole needs healing and an infilling.

If sin and the spiritual, faulty circuitry and other ailments can go hand in hand, then finding out who’s holding whose hand can help. It is a process and perhaps takes a collaborative effort. While in nursing and also the healing ministry I became aware of the Association of Christian Therapists, This is their site: acttulsa.com/index.html

Also this may be of interest, but requires lots of caution and discernment: christianhealingmin.org/askjudith2.htm

❤️
 
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Maresiedotes:
For those of you who have said “I have very little patience for the mentally ill”, I wonder how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of someone who has “little patience”? My son was bipolar (he died last year) and I saw him suffer and suffer and suffer with his illness.

For those who “have little patience”, may God soften your hearts…may you put yourself in the place of those who suffer…it is for people such as these that Jesus came. He loves them with a tender, compassionate love. Pray that you can look upon these suffering members of His Body with love and genuine compassion. They are very close to His heart.

Mary
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First of all, I’m very sorry for the loss of your son. No mother should ever have to experience that and I’m sure our Blessed Mother in heaven is very close to you.

Secondly, I am one of those people with little patience…but I also have significant understanding…and this is something I really struggle with.

I don’t know your specific experiences with bipolar, but I would like you to understand that my first act as an 18 year old was to sign a 72-hour-hold order on my mother after she had attempted suicide.

I want you to understand that although I was just starting out in life, at a time that I desperately needed my parents, I had neither. My father had died, and my mother was calling me several times per week for advice she should not have needed. In effect, I became her parent…and I am still struggling with that dichotomy, although she is better now.

I was flailing in my early career life, I had no support even from extended family for my career choice, I did not know anyone in the large metro area I had entered…and yet, I had somehow to emotionally support the parent I needed to support me!

Somewhere in there I lost my patience, and I think I’m lucky I didn’t lose my soul long before. God must have been with us.

Please continue to pray for people in my position, for I am sure there are many of us…and honoring one’s parents is a commandment. I struggle every day and although it’s getting better, I still don’t feel like I can lean on my mother, and I’m sure she doesn’t feel like she can lean on me…and finally, it’s almost the “right” time for her to be able to do so.

Mental illness does not just cause suffering to those who have the diseases…it causes waves of suffering around it. I guess that’s my cross, your cross, and the cross of countless others.

Thank the Lord that Jesus is with us or we would all be crushed under the weight.
 
JCPhoenix, I hear you. I grew up with an alcoholic mother who, after I knew a little more, I believed to also be bipolar. I know the resentment and abandonment you’ve felt. I know how hard it is to have to deal with such incredibly difficult situtions. I carried a huge resentment for my mother for years, until I was on a retreat in which we were asked to think about the one person who had caused us the most pain in life. Then we were asked to imagine what Jesus would say to that person. (That, in itself was a revelation!) Next, we were asked to look that person in the eye (a mental image) and ask for their forgiveness.
Amidst many tears and moments of realization, I forgave my mother once and for all. It was the most freeing moment I had ever known.

After watching the suffering my son went through, I know for for a fact that he did the very best he could, just as your mother did, but in our “normal” world, that just isn’t good enough. Forgiveness is a huge thing… If we can ask forgiveness of the person who has caused us the most pain, forgiveness for our lack of patience and love, we will experience a freeing of our spirits and an increase of love for that person and for the Lord. Also, knowing that the hurt we bore wasn’t intentional, even though it seemed that way at the time, will also free us.

JCPhoenix, it sounds as if the Lord has given you a heart big enough to bear this sorrow. Thank you for your compassion and love for the Lord. Keep on loving Him! I praise Him for you and your love!

Mary
 
JCPhoenix, I hear you. I grew up with an alcoholic mother who, after I knew a little more, I believed to also be bipolar. I know the resentment and abandonment you’ve felt. I know how hard it is to have to deal with such incredibly difficult situtions. I carried a huge resentment for my mother for years, until I was on a retreat in which we were asked to think about the one person who had caused us the most pain in life. Then we were asked to imagine what Jesus would say to that person. (That, in itself was a revelation!) Next, we were asked to look that person in the eye (a mental image) and ask for their forgiveness.
Amidst many tears and moments of realization, I forgave my mother once and for all. It was the most freeing moment I had ever known.

After watching the suffering my son went through, I know for for a fact that he did the very best he could, just as your mother did, but in our “normal” world, that just isn’t good enough. Forgiveness is a huge thing… If we can ask forgiveness of the person who has caused us the most pain, forgiveness for our lack of patience and love, we will experience a freeing of our spirits and an increase of love for that person and for the Lord. Also, knowing that the hurt we bore wasn’t intentional, even though it seemed that way at the time, will also free us.

JCPhoenix, it sounds as if the Lord has given you a heart big enough to bear this sorrow. Thank you for your compassion and love for the Lord. Keep on loving Him! I praise Him for you and your love!

Mary
 
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