Psychological disorders

[Mulehide]

I'm interpreting a psychology class and this was recently studied. Are disorders such as schizophrenia and multiple personality disorders medical or spiritual? They say there is scientific proof of parts of the brain being effected.

On the other hand, my Dad's family has dealt with different mental disorders. He claimed I Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." and has had no mental illness of any kind. His twin sister loves the Lord and likewise has not had any mental illness. Coincidence or God's protection?

 

[MaggieMye]

As the mother of a son who was diagnosed as schizophrenic, a deliverance minister, and a special education teacher, I am of the opinion that mental disorders are of the spiritual nature. Of course medical science will tell you that parts of the brain are affected...and they are!! But the question is WHY. And if time and energy and KNOWLEDGE of the spiritual realm are combined, there will always be a spiritual REASON to answer that question. It almost always has to do with generational curses (EX 20:5) of some sort. Why do you think Drs. always ask "Does this run in your family?" Iniquity is passed down through the blood line, both mothers and fathers. This iniquity opens the door of a soul of even an unborn child. And when the door is open, it is an invitation for the demonic to come in to steal, kill and destroy the person's destiny that God created him/her for.
Maggie

 

[karuna]

I'm interpreting a psychology class and this was recently studied. Are disorders such as schizophrenia and multiple personality disorders medical or spiritual? They say there is scientific proof of parts of the brain being effected.

I agree that there is proof that in many diseases parts of the brain are affected, but I think it's wrong to ask either/or. Even if a disease has organic features, it will have spiritual implications. If I were to inject you with a couple of chemicals every day, I could cause a physical disease which would make spirituality difficult for you.

On the other hand, even if a disease has a spiritual cause it can still leave a physical footprint. The way we think changes the structure of our brain, so over time spiritual illness can show up on a test. If you live in fear, for instance, I can see this in your cortisol levels and over time, I'll see changes in your hippocampus.

People like to decide one way or the other, but I really don't think that should be the point. We should recognize that disease affects all our aspects and should be approached from every angle.

 

[Ramon]

Until you know the source you cannot diagnose the problem. Any disorder is a spiritual matter, that can only be diagnosed by spiritual means. By sin, disorder came into the world. However, Jesus came to bring the order of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world, to undo the works of satan, which are of disorder and sikness and disease and fear. Satan works in carnal mind, which is enmity with God, but God works in the heart. Satan wants control of our hearts so he tempts us from without to get within. In the beginning all things were good, but after sin the good things were twisted for evil. Jesus is the answer to the reversal of the disorder we have obtained through disobedience, and transgression of the law.

 

[loveschild]

Attacks from hell. Generational curses or sins of your own. If there was more binding and casting out of devils the way Jesus did there would be less of it. But the head Drs aren't going to tell you that.

 

[MaggieMye]

The DRS. don't even believe in it for the most part. But the Bible tells us that we are to go to God FIRSt for healing. Running to Drs. first is, in itself, sin.

Maggie

 

[Cleante]

Attacks from hell. Generational curses or sins of your own. If there was more binding and casting out of devils the way Jesus did there would be less of it. But the head Drs aren't going to tell you that.

I hope you are not serious but I fear that you are. Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder a result of generational curses or someone's own sin? Is Alzheimer's the result of generational curses or the persons sin? What about Down Syndrome and mental retardation? What if I get a paper cut? Did a demon cause that?

The majority of all illness is the result of a fallen world not demons and what not. Adam and Eve's sin brought illness and death into the world. Before this, the world existed in perfect harmony. It is nature. Keep in mind that Satan did not bring death into the world. God introduced death as a punishment.

I am not denying demonic possession. I am merely saying that living in a fallen world iis responsible for most illnesses.

As for Generational curses I would suggest you read Ezekiel 18:30.

"30. ἕκαστον κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ κρινῶ ὑμᾶς οἶκος Iσραηλ λέγει κύριος ἐπιστράφητε καὶ ἀποστρέψατε ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀσεβειῶν ὑμῶν καὶ οὐκ ἔσονται ὑμῖν εἰς κόλασιν ἀδικίας."
"Therefore will I judge every man according to his ways, O house of Israel, saith the Lord God. Be converted, and do penance for all your iniquities: and iniquity shall not be your ruin."

 

[Cleante]

As the mother of a son who was diagnosed as schizophrenic, a deliverance minister, and a special education teacher, I am of the opinion that mental disorders are of the spiritual nature. Of course medical science will tell you that parts of the brain are affected...and they are!! But the question is WHY. And if time and energy and KNOWLEDGE of the spiritual realm are combined, there will always be a spiritual REASON to answer that question. It almost always has to do with generational curses (EX 20:5) of some sort. Why do you think Drs. always ask "Does this run in your family?" Iniquity is passed down through the blood line, both mothers and fathers. This iniquity opens the door of a soul of even an unborn child. And when the door is open, it is an invitation for the demonic to come in to steal, kill and destroy the person's destiny that God created him/her for.
Maggie

Doctors as "Does this run in your family?" to get an idea of your chance of developing said disorder or disease. Diabetes isn't the result of demons. That is ridiculous. Iniquity is not passed through the blood line. We inherit the consequence of the Sin of Adam, not the guilt. Men sin because of the inheritance of a flawed nature from Adam. Only the God-given consequence, which is death and disease, is inherited.

In ΙΕΣΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ

Ιοαννης

 

[machew]

It isn't one or the other. In my experience in deliverance ministry, it can be a chemical imbalance in the brain, it can be spiritual affliction, or it could be both at the same time. Chemical imbalances in the brain can be caused naturally, but often a chemical imbalance can lead to demonic affliction or even be caused by demonic affliction. But sometimes there is no chemical imbalance, yet the person displays similar symptoms as if they did have one. And then there are other times when there is a chemical imbalance and the person manifests a demon during deliverance sessions, so both are true. So, it isn't always one or the other, the key is figuring out if it is one or the other, or both. If it is a chemical imbalance, you need to figure out if this physical problem was/is caused by the demonic, or if it occurred naturally. Either way you will have to pray for physical healing, and if the demonic is involved, deliverance as well. If it is 100% spiritual affliction then obviously deliverance is necessary.

Hopefully this helps.

Blessings,

Machew

 

[Wonderland]

There is so much stigma around mental disorders. In my graduate studies I took a survey of people's perceptions of "what is mental illness" and I got reactions from "crazy people" to "people who scream things out at you as you walk into a store." People I surveyed said that people with mental illness could be sociopathic, unable to control themselves, and be a danger to others because of the nature of their illness (i.e. they might leave the house with candles burning or drive a care without a license, etc.) The ironic thing is that many of the people I surveyed were on medications for things like anxiety, depression and ADHD.

The thing that makes mental illness different from physical illness is that mental illness is often a result of imbalanced neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), but it also is affected by experiences (war, abuse, trauma, etc.) biology (there is scientific proof demonstrating that some people are more prone to develop certain disorders), relationships (does the person have a strong support network or are they left to deal with life on their own), upbringing (did they have a healthy, stimulating environment as a child or were they neglected and abused?) etc.

To say that a mental disorder is all spiritual or all biological, I think, is too simple of an explanation. Satan knows our weaknesses and is ready to exploit them every chance he gets. If he knows a person is prone to depression, don't you think he will use every opportunity to exploit that? Chronic pain? Satan is ready to use every weakness to his advantage, and susceptibility to addictions or schizophrenia is definitely a weakness and he often knows all the right buttons to push. On the other hand, it is just as easy to say that Satan can cause physical afflictions as well--headaches, chronic pain, etc. Does he really CAUSE it or does he set up circumstances for it to happen, or both?

On the other hand, it is unloving and unhelpful to tell people who suffer from mental illness that they just need to pray more and believe God will heal them. Would you tell that to someone who has cancer? Medications can do wonders in a person's life, and God has allowed them to human beings as a gift, both for physical illness as well as mental illness..

I hope that offers a little insight.
Be blessed

 

[MaggieMye]

Correct...it isn't one way or the other. It is ALWAYS the 'other'. Chemical imbalances are CAUSED by something and it is always a spiritual thing:

Proverbs 26:2
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,So a curse without cause does not alight. Without cause of curse, no curse. No curse, the human body is walking in divine health...which is the way it was when Adam was in the Garden and the way WE are supposed to overcome and reclaim our dominion so it can be again. "The Kingdom come, Thy Will Be done, on Earth, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
Before Adam sinned, all on earth was perfect.

 

[VW]

Our current medical system is drug oriented to such an extreme that it is close to causing more harm than good.

Just if we take the mental patients, and the drugs that are given to them, and how the patients themselves do not want to take them, because of the effects on their mind and on their personality. They are not healed, just treated in such a way that they become controllable.

Not all illness is spiritual, but all illness can be healed by God. All of them. There is not one thing that cannot be healed, not even death.

What we must do is pray for the sick, lift them up to the Lord in love and kindness.

If, and again, I say if the Spirit moves us to confront a spirit of wickedness over an illness, then that is what we should do. In this we must follow the leading of the Spirit.

 

[MaggieMye]

Medication = drugs from the pharmacy.
Pharmacy = from the Greek word "Pharmakeia" (sp), meaning "witchcraft"

Get the picture?
Maggie

 

[Wonderland]

VW, what exactly are you talking about "mental patients" ? Mental institutions are not what they used to be. People have rights these days. We are not talking about treating people like we did in the 1970's.

True, medications are not a complete healing, but for a lot of people it gives them clarity, motivation and helps them see the good in life. I wish we could all call on the name of YHWH and be saved, but the reality is that mental illness afflicts the saved and the unsaved. And how, pray tell, do you force God to heal an affliction such as schizophrenia or depression? All it takes is more faith, right? More prayers? Well even Paul had a "thorn in his flesh" that God did not heal.

 

[karuna]

The fallacy here, as always, is that taking a pill doesn't mean you're not praying for healing. If your house is burning down, no reasonable person will judge you if you step outside while you're praying. If your amyloid plaques are causing cell death and memory loss, no reasonable person should judge you if, while you're praying for healing, you take a pill that addresses the physical aspects of the illness.

It's not either/or. Wise people use all the tools available to them, because sometimes, God's answer is those tools.

It's like that joke about the man stranded on his roof during a flood. He prays for God to rescue him. A helicopter comes by and lowers a ladder but he says "no, I'm waiting on God." A boat comes by and he says "no, I'm waiting on God." Eventually the flood waters rise and the guy drowns. He gets to heaven and angrily demands of God: "I prayed for rescue. Why didn't you do anything?" God responds: "I sent a helicopter and a boat. What were you waiting for?"

 

[VW]

VW, what exactly are you talking about "mental patients" ? Mental institutions are not what they used to be. People have rights these days. We are not talking about treating people like we did in the 1970's.

True, medications are not a complete healing, but for a lot of people it gives them clarity, motivation and helps them see the good in life. I wish we could all call on the name of YHWH and be saved, but the reality is that mental illness afflicts the saved and the unsaved. And how, pray tell, do you force God to heal an affliction such as schizophrenia or depression? All it takes is more faith, right? More prayers? Well even Paul had a "thorn in his flesh" that God did not heal.

Paul's thorn in his flesh was a sin that God would not deliver him from.

What I was and am still trying to get across is that our medical industry is driven by the drug companies. I, once having been a heart patient, found out the hard way, and I am still suffering from the effects of the drugs I was prescribed over 10 years ago, which I took for only 2 years.

Drugs treat the symptoms, and do not heal the patient. Mental institutions are not what they once were, but they are not places of healing.

I place absolutely no faith in the current, nor in the past methods for diagnoses or treatment of "mental illness." The psychiatric field is worse.

On the good life, what does that mean? That you can live in the world as a normal person? What is normal.

I do not in any way discount demonic activity in relation to mental illness. I did not say that all mental illness is demonic, because I frankly do not believe that. But much of it is.

I am sorry to have to disagree with you. Seems to be my week for disagreements.

 

[karuna]

Drugs treat the symptoms, and do not heal the patient.

So, when someone with Wilson's disease undergoes chemical chelation and their psychiatric symptoms go away, what happened? Because this has happened and still does happen, you know. Because of a genetic defect, they deposit copper in their cells and over time can develop anything from depression to symptoms that mimic Parkinson's. If the disease hasn't progressed too far, we can make these go away.

When a person with bipolar takes lithium and we note that their damaged hippocampus begins to regenerate, what does this mean? Is it fake? What happens when a person takes the drugs for a while and finds that they no longer need them? Has this person not been healed because somebody else had a bad experience with the drug?

I understand you have a personal anecdote about a bad drug experience and you do have a point to make about the overinvolvement of the drug companies and the way drugs are used, but you've gone so overboard here that you really don't have any credibility left to make those good and necessary arguments.

 

[MaggieMye]

CURE means ''done with" It doesn't mean that later one some other side effect develops. That is just DIS ease moving around in the body.

"Paul's thorn in his flesh was a sin that God would not deliver him from." There is no scriptural support for this statement.

Maggie

 

[Credo_ut_Intelligam]

The Bible draws a distinction between physical infirmities and spiritual infirmities.

“The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. ” (Acts 5:16)

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ” (Matthew 10:1)

We should make the same distinction and not assume that we know it's one thing or the other. The spiritual infirmities can have physical effects (Mat. 12:22), so it would also be a bit hasty to say that if we know of a physical cause, there must not be a spiritual cause. After all, I assume most of us here would agree that we have spirits in addition to bodies, yet if I knock you on your physical head that will have an effect on your non-physical psychological or spiritual mental state. The spiritual and physical work together. Jesus came to bring spiritual healing but he also brought physical healing. He commissioned his disciples to give the gospel, attending to their spiritual need, but he also commissioned them to heal the physically sick, attending to their physical needs.

Basically, I think it's a mistake to say "it's all spiritual so just pray" or "it's all physical so just see a doctor." However, in the vast majority of cases, I think our physical problems can and should be fixed with physical means.

 

[Cleante]

Medication = drugs from the pharmacy.
Pharmacy = from the Greek word "Pharmakeia" (sp), meaning "witchcraft"

Get the picture?
Maggie

Maggie,

The Greek language is very complex. Pharmacy actually comes from the Greek word φάρμακον, which means Drug. Not witchcraft. It can also mean herb.

1) A drug or Herb
2) A healing drug, medicine, remedy
3) Potion, charm, or spell
4) Deadly drug, poison
5) A dye, color.

See the complexity of that one word? Of course, any medicine can be a deadly drug if you take too much of it. Also, if you knew a lot about Ancient Greece and the Ancient World in general you would notice that medicine was often spoke in terms of magic. Now we know better...

In XC,

Ιοαννης