ADD, ADHD, Panic Attacks... Spiritual or Physical problems? Or both?

[evangelist6589]

Some of these conditions I struggle with, and today with technology things have not gotten easier. Ten years ago I had a B&W cell Phone, and online discussions were on Usenet Newsgroups. These days with smart phones, social networking and the like have made things worse for some of us struggling with ADD. I am not sure if ADD and some of the other issues listed above are spiritual, physical, or both. I do not have any books on these topics, but would be interested in Christian counseling type authors if anyone has any. But besides that what do you say on these conditions? One thing I have noticed is that there are not many authors on these topics in the Christian world and I wonder why.

Yesterday I was listening to a Podcast and a caller was saying that devils were responsible for his panic attacks, high anxiety, and what not. I laughed as I do not think devils can give these problems to Christians (as he said he was) but thats because I take on a Reformed view on spiritual warfare which denies such a possibility, however some others think that devils can do all kinds of things to people including tormenting them.

 

[Judith]

Some of these conditions I struggle with, and today with technology things have not gotten easier. Ten years ago I had a B&W cell Phone, and online discussions were on Usenet Newsgroups. These days with smart phones, social networking and the like have made things worse for some of us struggling with ADD. I am not sure if ADD and some of the other issues listed above are spiritual, physical, or both. I do not have any books on these topics, but would be interested in Christian counseling type authors if anyone has any. But besides that what do you say on these conditions? One thing I have noticed is that there are not many authors on these topics in the Christian world and I wonder why.

Yesterday I was listening to a Podcast and a caller was saying that devils were responsible for his panic attacks, high anxiety, and what not. I laughed as I do not think devils can give these problems to Christians (as he said he was) but thats because I take on a Reformed view on spiritual warfare which denies such a possibility, however some others think that devils can do all kinds of things to people including tormenting them.

You might want to look at this video. There are many others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcuhhJ1BaMk

 

[OldRegular]

Some of these conditions I struggle with, and today with technology things have not gotten easier. Ten years ago I had a B&W cell Phone, and online discussions were on Usenet Newsgroups. These days with smart phones, social networking and the like have made things worse for some of us struggling with ADD. I am not sure if ADD and some of the other issues listed above are spiritual, physical, or both. I do not have any books on these topics, but would be interested in Christian counseling type authors if anyone has any. But besides that what do you say on these conditions? One thing I have noticed is that there are not many authors on these topics in the Christian world and I wonder why.

Yesterday I was listening to a Podcast and a caller was saying that devils were responsible for his panic attacks, high anxiety, and what not. I laughed as I do not think devils can give these problems to Christians (as he said he was) but thats because I take on a Reformed view on spiritual warfare which denies such a possibility, however some others think that devils can do all kinds of things to people including tormenting them.

Depression is real, panic attacks are real, anxiety disorder is real. I also believe ADD is real though I believe it is falsely diagnosed sometimes, particularly in children and it is possible some of the others are also. Blaming any of these medical problems on demons or spiritual problems is the nonsense handed out by the Kenneth and Gloria Copeland crowd, the Word Faith heretics.

I listen to Dr. Keith Ablow, the psychiatrist on Fox News. He makes a lot of sense on a lot of issues!

 

[Judith]

I don't think many would question if these things are real or not. The issue is not if they exist but what causes them and how to treat them. David had some of this as well as many others in the bible and in every case they are spiritural issues. When the spiritural issue is corrected the symptoms go away.

 

[OldRegular]

I don't think many would question if these things are real or not. The issue is not if they exist but what causes them and how to treat them. David had some of this as well as many others in the bible and in every case they are spiritural issues. When the spiritural issue is corrected the symptoms go away.

Saul was perhaps a spiritual problem for David. He was more of a spiritual problem for himself. More than that he was a physical problem for David!

 

[Sapper Woody]

U

I don't think many would question if these things are real or not. The issue is not if they exist but what causes them and how to treat them. David had some of this as well as many others in the bible and in every case they are spiritural issues. When the spiritural issue is corrected the symptoms go away.

I disagree with those last two sentences wholeheartedly. Looking at David specifically, I have no doubt he was suffering from what today we call PTSD. The constant ups and downs, the depression to praise, even from being a warrior to staying home. All symptoms of PTSD. Physical and spiritual problems can, and often do, go hand in hand. But to classify it all as a spiritual problem is ignorant.

Those suffering from PTSD can have a very close walk with God. They can either let PTSD separate them from God, or drive them closer.

Whether or not you've prayed and read your Bible in a day has no bearing on the super alert anxiety you feel when your mind starts identifying possible (often irrational) threats.

In all honesty, to say that these are all spiritual problems is the same as saying that all mentally handicapped people are going to hell.

 

[OldRegular]

U

I disagree with those last two sentences wholeheartedly. Looking at David specifically, I have no doubt he was suffering from what today we call PTSD. The constant ups and downs, the depression to praise, even from being a warrior to staying home. All symptoms of PTSD. Physical and spiritual problems can, and often do, go hand in hand. But to classify it all as a spiritual problem is ignorant.

Those suffering from PTSD can have a very close walk with God. They can either let PTSD separate them from God, or drive them closer.

Whether or not you've prayed and read your Bible in a day has no bearing on the super alert anxiety you feel when your mind starts identifying possible (often irrational) threats.

In all honesty, to say that these are all spiritual problems is the same as saying that all mentally handicapped people are going to hell.

Well said SW. I don't know much about PTSD but I do know a little about stress. The root of some problems may indeed be spiritual but to say that all problems people have with their mind and/or emotions are caused by spiritual problems is simply counterproductive and untrue. My wife of 58 years suffers from a number of the problems mentioned here so I know what I am speaking about!

 

[Judith]

U

I disagree with those last two sentences wholeheartedly. Looking at David specifically, I have no doubt he was suffering from what today we call PTSD. The constant ups and downs, the depression to praise, even from being a warrior to staying home. All symptoms of PTSD. Physical and spiritual problems can, and often do, go hand in hand. But to classify it all as a spiritual problem is ignorant.

Those suffering from PTSD can have a very close walk with God. They can either let PTSD separate them from God, or drive them closer.

Whether or not you've prayed and read your Bible in a day has no bearing on the super alert anxiety you feel when your mind starts identifying possible (often irrational) threats.

In all honesty, to say that these are all spiritual problems is the same as saying that all mentally handicapped people are going to hell.

Not true. Every biblical case of depression or uncontroled anger or any other issue is due to a spiritual issue. Every one. Nothing has changed. David was a murderer so that is a spiritural problem. He was an adulterer, that is a spiritural problem. When he was living for the Lord he was fine. Whe he did not and covered his sin he had issues. To make the claim that people with a mental handicap, beng retarded, are going to hell is way over the top.
I am reminded of a woman that murdered her children a few years ago, I think there was 5. She was diagnosed as PTSD. However she was into a cultish belief system. A spiritual issue. When you look at the students who are killing students in every case they were on drugs. That is a spiritual issue. The guy who recently murdered the people at Fort Hood and then killed himself was on drugs. Another spiritual issue. I know of people who are diognosed wit PTSD from being in the military and the real problem is they have not forgiven their enemy like God has forgiven them, which is another spiritual issue.
I had a friend who went off after her father died. He was a Catholic and she was convinced he went to hell and she could not live with that possibility. She was doignosed with PTSD ansd given drugs. The problem was a spiritual issue. All she had to do is accept that God is in control and his eternal state is not her problem. She was worring about tomorrow which is sin. This stuff is all spiriturally linked.
People who are not saved have a spiritual issue and do not make proper choices nor can they. people who are saved and cover their sin make improper choices and can suffer many a issues. One of the biggest issues even for the saved is unforgiveness and instead of dealing with their spiritual issue they seek some diognoses and drugs.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Another spiritual issue. I know of people who are diognosed wit PTSD from being in the military and the real problem is they have not forgiven their enemy like God has forgiven them, which is another spiritual issue.

Oh, Judith - you really believe this? Men and women who come home with PTSD have it because they are filled with the sin of unforgiveness?

They have this disorder because they have been traumatized in some manner - what they saw from others, what they did themselves, living in over-the-top fear, and being exposed to things that no one would understand unless they saw it themselves.

It isn't about unforgiveness and personal sin. It's about the mind, heart, and more being damaged by danger and trauma.

My mother has been diagnosed with PTSD. She was in three traumatic car accidents over a span of a few years and she is left with sometimes mild and sometimes severe attacks when riding in a car.

Before her diagnosis, I used to get so ANGRY at her for jumping, grabbing the door handle, crying out, and acting insane if she felt I were driving "too close" to another car or if someone passed us on busy highway.

You would have to see it to believe it. An otherwise sane and rational woman turning into a temporary (10 - 30 seconds) irrational person when there was NO danger, recklessness, or irresponsible driving present. She has gotten better over the past few years, but still gets irrational occasionally.

PTSD is not about sin - it's about trauma to the psyche.

 

[Revmitchell]

Often these issues have to do with a chemical imbalance in the body. We need to realize that we have imperfect and flawed bodies. Blood pressure needs medicine, migraine headaches needs medicine and anxiety and depression can and do need medicine.


Scripture and the truth og God's word will give us tools to help us maintain and find peace but that does not change the need for medicine for these imperfections in our bodies. God also gave us doctors who specialize in these physical issues and we need to take advantage of them.

To suggest that depression, anxiety, ADD etc are simply spiritual issues is nothing but pure ignorance.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Saul was perhaps a spiritual problem for David. He was more of a spiritual problem for himself. More than that he was a physical problem for David!

You look at the deterioration of Saul's behavior, it resembles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He seems delusional at times, but PTSD can cause severe delusions. Emotional trauma is a primary cause of PTSD, and what greater emotional trauma could there be than God wresting the kingdom from you because of your sin and rebellion? Can you imagine knowing that somehow, eventually, you are going to be replaced, and that can mean only one thing -- your death?

 

[evangelist6589]

Often these issues have to do with a chemical imbalance in the body. We need to realize that we have imperfect and flawed bodies. Blood pressure needs medicine, migraine headaches needs medicine and anxiety and depression can and do need medicine.


Scripture and the truth og God's word will give us tools to help us maintain and find peace but that does not change the need for medicine for these imperfections in our bodies. God also gave us doctors who specialize in these physical issues and we need to take advantage of them.

To suggest that depression, anxiety, ADD etc are simply spiritual issues is nothing but pure ignorance.

Thats exactly what many in the BJU circles tell people and what they said in Christian Counseling (a seminary class). Jay Adams is good, but he is not God.

 

[evangelist6589]

Instead..

Instead of buying yet another book or quick fix solution, today I mediated on my Bible and in prayer and I feel much better.

 

[Don]

Women are more likely than men to suffer PTSD. Why? Sexual trauma, usually because of rape.

Their mental distress is not because of sin on their part.

The same goes for soldiers. They're not coming home with unforgiveness for their enemy; they're coming home with unforgiveness for themselves, when they've committed no sin that they need to be forgiven for.

David's biggest time of stress was while fleeing Saul's wrath. Was this sin on David's part?

 

[Sapper Woody]

Not true. Every biblical case of depression or uncontroled anger or any other issue is due to a spiritual issue. Every one. Nothing has changed. David was a murderer so that is a spiritural problem. He was an adulterer, that is a spiritural problem. When he was living for the Lord he was fine. Whe he did not and covered his sin he had issues. To make the claim that people with a mental handicap, beng retarded, are going to hell is way over the top.
I am reminded of a woman that murdered her children a few years ago, I think there was 5. She was diagnosed as PTSD. However she was into a cultish belief system. A spiritual issue. When you look at the students who are killing students in every case they were on drugs. That is a spiritual issue. The guy who recently murdered the people at Fort Hood and then killed himself was on drugs. Another spiritual issue. I know of people who are diognosed wit PTSD from being in the military and the real problem is they have not forgiven their enemy like God has forgiven them, which is another spiritual issue.
I had a friend who went off after her father died. He was a Catholic and she was convinced he went to hell and she could not live with that possibility. She was doignosed with PTSD ansd given drugs. The problem was a spiritual issue. All she had to do is accept that God is in control and his eternal state is not her problem. She was worring about tomorrow which is sin. This stuff is all spiriturally linked.
People who are not saved have a spiritual issue and do not make proper choices nor can they. people who are saved and cover their sin make improper choices and can suffer many a issues. One of the biggest issues even for the saved is unforgiveness and instead of dealing with their spiritual issue they seek some diognoses and drugs.

This is such pure and unadulterated nonsense that I am not even sure how to respond. You have no clue about military issues with PTSD. My wife, the closest person to me, and my father, the second closest STILL don't have a clue about it.

You're telling me, that if my wife startles me awake and I hit her, not knowing that I am safe and in a state of confusion, that the real problem lies in my walk with God?

And then to say that reactions are a lack of faith. Wow. You have no idea what you're talking about. None. Do yourself and us a favor, and quit talking about things of which you have no clue. Quit parroting some idiot's words, and actually use your brain. It's why God gave it to you. Not to spout off stupidity.

 

[OldRegular]

Not true. Every biblical case of depression or uncontroled anger or any other issue is due to a spiritual issue. Every one. Nothing has changed. David was a murderer so that is a spiritural problem. He was an adulterer, that is a spiritural problem. When he was living for the Lord he was fine. Whe he did not and covered his sin he had issues. To make the claim that people with a mental handicap, beng retarded, are going to hell is way over the top.
I am reminded of a woman that murdered her children a few years ago, I think there was 5. She was diagnosed as PTSD. However she was into a cultish belief system. A spiritual issue. When you look at the students who are killing students in every case they were on drugs. That is a spiritual issue. The guy who recently murdered the people at Fort Hood and then killed himself was on drugs. Another spiritual issue. I know of people who are diognosed wit PTSD from being in the military and the real problem is they have not forgiven their enemy like God has forgiven them, which is another spiritual issue.
I had a friend who went off after her father died. He was a Catholic and she was convinced he went to hell and she could not live with that possibility. She was doignosed with PTSD ansd given drugs. The problem was a spiritual issue. All she had to do is accept that God is in control and his eternal state is not her problem. She was worring about tomorrow which is sin. This stuff is all spiriturally linked.
People who are not saved have a spiritual issue and do not make proper choices nor can they. people who are saved and cover their sin make improper choices and can suffer many a issues. One of the biggest issues even for the saved is unforgiveness and instead of dealing with their spiritual issue they seek some diognoses and drugs.

Judith,

If you want to go back far enough in Biblical history we can say correctly that every problem mankind has was caused by a "Spiritual Issue", the rebellion of Adam and Eve. However, blaming every mental disorder on a spiritual issue is simply nonsense. That is the same trash that the Word Faith, the Kenneth and Gloria Copeland crowd, preach; if you think a bad thought bad things will happen.

Do you blame physical illness on a "Spiritual Issue"? Hopefully you will never suffer from clinical depression, postpartum depression, anxiety disorder, or PTSD but if you do I hope you or someone who cares about you will see you get medical help just as they would if you had cancer!

 

[OldRegular]

Often these issues have to do with a chemical imbalance in the body. We need to realize that we have imperfect and flawed bodies. Blood pressure needs medicine, migraine headaches needs medicine and anxiety and depression can and do need medicine.


Scripture and the truth og God's word will give us tools to help us maintain and find peace but that does not change the need for medicine for these imperfections in our bodies. God also gave us doctors who specialize in these physical issues and we need to take advantage of them.

To suggest that depression, anxiety, ADD etc are simply spiritual issues is nothing but pure ignorance.

Well said and essential that people understand.

I have an older brother who is a member of a large church in East Tennessee. Some years a go their pastor, for whatever reason, developed clinical depression. He eventually sought medical help but, perhaps because he bought into the nonsense Judith is spouting, he waited too late and took his own life. That is one of the real tragedies of those who insist mental or emotional illness is a spiritual problem.

I don't really know but I believe that postpartum depression is the worst kind based on what I have seen.

 

[InTheLight]

Instead of buying yet another book or quick fix solution, today I mediated on my Bible and in prayer and I feel much better.

That's great to hear. God is good.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's great to hear. God is good.

Best post of this thread.. I will need to repeat this exercise daily if possible. So many (including me) just want a book, CD, DVD, seminar, or quick fix. We do not want to read the Bible, study the Bible, and be in prayer. Granted books have their value, but I have bought many of them over the years I never read, or read only once and never picked up again.

The books I bought recently are a book on Bible Prophecy and going more depth, and a book on OT Theology, both books that have value, but a book on self-help I have to wonder if its worth the value sometimes.

 

[Deacon]

I perform cardiac stress tests for a living.

We get a lot of younger folk sent to us for anxiety and palpitations.

Typical advice includes: 1) limiting caffeine, 2) getting enough sleep and 3) lifestyle changes to deal with stress.

This past Friday a woman came complaining of dizziness, palpitations and anxiety.

The primary physician's initial diagnosis was anxiety attacks (incidentally this isn't a diagnosis that insurance companies allow for having a stress test).

She was convinced that she was going batty - she quit work, confined herself to her home and didn't exercise.

We performed a simple treadmill stress test.

It showed that she had a cardiac arrhythmia (supraventricular tachycardia) which is easily treatable once identified and can give symptoms similar to what she described.

Sometimes what feels like a panic attack can be caused by a physical problem.

Rather than trying to deal with anxiety by yourself, it's a good idea to share your feelings and symptoms with a professional who really listens and tries to find the root of the problem.

Rob