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Question

Why is it that the majority of my patients that claim a devotion to Christianity have more severe psychological problems than the ones who don't?

I am complely serious here.

I am not judging them. I've just managed to put two and two together, to make four, and I seriously think their issues are exacerbated by their religion of choice.

I know the answer to this, and have shared it with my patients, but I just wanted to see what other people thought.

Answer 1

I am certain the two phenomina are not connected. Some chritians do have problems but non christians do also. I have been a professional for 15 years and trust me they are not connected. Perhaps you have been given good rap by the nearby churches. Small problems are often treated by the pastors

Answer 2

This points out a very good reason why Christians should seek out Christian counselors

If you understood Christianity at all, you would realize that God wants our minds to be whole. Therefore, those who come to Christ may feel called by the Spirit to work at emotional healing. They may be acknowledging the deeper problems because they are taking responsibility and trying to find healing. Many people live with emotional scars for years. They may self medicate with alcohol or drugs, not even understanding their need to be made whole.

Then when they come to Christ they may for the first time understand how much work needs to be done to get rid of all that old emotional garbage.

Fellow Christians, if this sound like you, if you are feeling the need to cleanse your mind of all the old wounds so that you can finally find peace and feel whole, I beg you to seek out a good, qualified Christian counselor. Those who don’t have any regard for religion are simply not going to get it.

And they will more than likely think stuffing you with pills is the solution.

More -

Out of curiosity I went back and read some of this guy's other questions including such gems as -

"If I do not have the ability to feel guilt over something I've done, does the sky fairy hold that against me?"

"Is religion just a product of an unbalanced mind?"

And a Christian would really seek advice from this guy?

A scary thought indeed.

Answer 3

Because So Called Christians To Day Are Tort To Seek Others Minds And Not Come To There Own Conclusion With God There All Brainwashed Slaves That The Devil Paiths

God Does Not Dwell In Temples/Church's Made With Hands
Satan Does

Answer 4

since some "psychological problems" are nothing more than a matter of opinion, I wonder what , exactly your foundation for this belief or your point of reference is.
I am completely serious, I know many who are psychiatrists/ phsycologists, some very personally and have heard from some a lot of flat out bologna regarding things that are "serious psychological problems" of Christians -
How exactly do you define serious phsychological problems and by what methods do you determine these stem from their religious beliefs rather than childhood traumas and life exeriences??
you have been very vague here- sounds like oyu are trying to plant some seeds into some minds of those who don't care to do the research and will just spread this garbage because someone with a degree said so. If oyu are going to make such a ridiculous statement you might want to back it up with facts

If you had any professional scruples, you would not treat those that professed faith in God since you already have a judgemental and prejudice view of them to start with, how on earth could you possible treat them with any degree of objectivity - I truly feel for any that are under your care- or lack of it

Answer 5

Honestly in my oppinion there are several reasons for this. I think the main one though is that we are struggling against ourselves. We are all born in sin and at some point in our lives we choose to serve God. Our spirit and our sinfull nature are constanly warring against each other. One part wants to do the right thing and the other just wants to be selfish. It can cause some issues psychologically.

Another faction in this issue is that we are getting closer to what we call the end times. Each generation, each year that passes the world goes slowly down the spiritual toilet and it gets harder and harder for us to be in the world but not of it. Thereby we end up leaning more toward the sinfull nature which causes even deeper problems with the psyche. We look at our ancestors and say they didn't have this many problems what wrong with me that I can't handle this.

I could go on and on about the psychological nature behind the issue, but I think you catch my general drift.

Answer 6

You have a valid question.

I will speak for my own experience. Before I became a born again Christian, I was very depressed, resentful, angry and prideful. Through the years, I had panic attacks and have gone to doctors because I was sick all the time mostly from stress caused by work and personal life. I was a workholic and I tried to be better than anyone. Psychologically, I was doomed. But I could not lick the mental anxiety I was suffering from. It affected my personal relationship and life was hard to lead. I wanted to end my life many times because I was having a hard time coping with people. I was so sensitive and my feelings would get hurt a lot. I would only pray to God when it was necessary because I thought God is busy with all the problems in the world. I thought that He probaby would not hear me.

My life took a sudden turn when at my most deepest depression, I felt Jesus' presence in my life. It was a profound and a humbling experience I will never forget in my life. That was more than four yeas ago. I started reading the Bible on line and from then on, I keep seeking God. I studied God's Word with His help. I knew He was guiding me. I started feeling His presence in my life. As I've learned to have a deeper relationship with Him, I found myself healed emotionally and mentally. I applied Jesus many teachings in my life ever since. I have no need to see a doctor because I always feel good. I am no longer anxious, fearful and stressful. When I completely trusted God to direct my path in life, I also become more forgiving, humble and caring towards others. I completely had a renewal of mind. I found out God after all is very near and is always listening. Developing a relationship with God took time; but it's well worth it. I now feel secure in life because I have a comforter, a guide, a teacher. I am no longer threatened by what the future holds.

For me I've learned to totally trust God in all I do. I am not a church goer. I read a lot of books by Pastors who helped me deepened my faith in God. I put God front and center in my life knowing that He is the greatest Physician.

In telling you my testimony, I hope that you'd find the answer you are looking for based on what I have said.

May God guide you as you treat your patients and may you have more understanding and patience with them. The public deserve doctors that truly care. *smile*

Answer 7

Sorry to say this but many christians that have come to you don't have there doctrinal hat on right or have been overcome with problems that they can't see their way through. If you have a judgemental attitude as they present their problems to you. You should not have raised this question here. You should have gone to your peirs or higher up on the phd ladder. This is an open forum and not the right place to get a fitting answer

Answer 8

I assume you really don't understand the real make up of a person. people are completely different then animals are, and both different from the spirit world. Animals are made up of a body and a soul, (mind, emotions, appetites, and a will in alignment to their nature). Angels are a spirit contrast to body, with a soul. Now people are a triune being, (not bi-une) body, soul and spirit. The body is the physical house that contains both the spirit and the soul. The spirit within a human being is that vertical window by which we communicate to God, and our soul is the horizontal plain by which man comunicates to man. within the human soul is a nature that is passed through the seed of man. This nature is called the sin nature. we don't have this nature because we sin, we sin because we are sinners with a nature that is in contrast to who God is. Our spirit is dead until we receive Jesus into our lives, then He quickens our spiris and we then now can have fellowship with God. The contrast is known about non-believers because their spirit is dead so they are spiritually discerned. Christians go through a process called sanctification; we have been set apart from something unto God, are currently being set apart, and will ultimatley be set apart. Until this process is complete we on this earth abide in corrupted bodies where our old nature is in a constant battle with our spirit, where our new nature dwells. We wreastle not against flesh and blood though in contrast we are fighting a huge spiritual battle and will only receive victory through Jesus Christ who ultimately was the victor due to His finished work on the cross, then as promised, through prophesy cf. John 2:19 He rose from the dead. are problem is due to a constant battle that will soon be done away with. many christians are not well taught in the fundamental's of the Bible, Also many people claim to be Christians though don't have a relationship with Christ; being submitted unto Him. So people in general are all driven unto either the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life, all are subject unto vanity apart from Jesus.

Answer 9

You know what, I don't know.

But I do wonder "What is considered a psychological problem?"

It's interesting that today's science is soo willing to treat something they don't trully understand or are able to agree with.

Also, what is considered a severe case?

What about those who have these problems who choose not to be treated? You cannot assume that your patients are the only ones with the problems.

In anycase, it may just be a fluke or something that just is because of where you work or something. Religion may have nothing to do with it.

Answer 10

taking this 100% seriously...

I'd say a contorted religion with alot of un-natural and illogical doctrines... ect.

like that whole "born in sin" thing. I mean its not a very good start to psychological issues to be taught that your born bad from the get go.