for a young elder to come home early from his missionary service and how would you perceive such a young man? What would be your initial reaction to him and what would be your advice to him? What kind of support would you offer him?
(Sorry for the multiple questions all stuck into one)
2007-09-25 11:15:41 · 15 answers · asked by Kerry 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have seen this happen. I try to be supportive and get them to realize that life goes on. There are other things to accomplish and other ways of giving service. The danger is that the young man or woman will think of themselves as failures because they didn't fulfill a complete mission. Most mission presidents will try to counsel with the missionary to work through the anxiety or depression. If medication is needed, the mission department in SLC will look at the situation to determine if completing the mission is possible or not. Each case is handled individually. Love for the missionary is essential whether in the mission field or back home, to help ease the nerves and get them through the trial. Particularly if the mission is cut short because of mental stress, the need for love and support becomes essential for the missionary to rebuild their lives and find a new basis for achievement, accomplishment and fulfillment.
2007-09-25 11:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by rac 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Depression runs in my family (6 out of 8 kids have been diagnosed and medicated) I suffered bad my freshman year of college. I ended up dropping out in the middle of the semester and moving back home. I tried three different medications before finding one that worked. Through counseling along lots of fasting and praying I was able to get off the medication and serve a mission. I haven't had any symptoms since. But I could not even imagine trying to serve a mission while going through what I did at college.
There was one Elder on my mission that had moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. He worked with the Mission President and an LDS psychologist and was able to stay out. Most missionaries didn't understand him, but he and I had some good heart-to-heart talks.
I would definitly try to be supportive. It is a very real thing and is terrible to go through. I would suggest getting help as soon as possible. Do not let it go on untreated.
2007-09-25 12:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am LDS and suffer from agoraphobia with panic disorder. Miss my meds or have panic attack I end up hospitalized and at great risk of heart attack or more likely stroke.
Never served a mission but did do 8 years as an Infantry Officer in the Army. Also 29 years as an emergency Mechanic on the Subway. Have seen hundreds of deaths some in my arms, fought fires, been stabbed, saved lives.
Still 1 panic attack could kill me.
Form your own opinion, but don't imagine anxiety disorders a joke.
A better wording would have been how would you react if an Elder returned from a mission because he was suffering an illness which would likely end his life if he didn't.
2007-09-25 11:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by Sid B 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/Yj9i9
Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:
Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.
If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.
2016-02-10 21:08:18 · answer #4 · answered by Ninfa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Health is certainly a 'legitimate' reason for a young man to return home early. This doesn't change that he returns with honor. Any time a young man comes home early, it is a careful decision he must make, generally with his mission president and parents involved. My first thought would be to assure him -- regardless of the physical challenges and doubts he may have, he is a child of God. I would exhort him to turn first to his Savior for comfort, then seek counsel from his mission president. This is his decision, and if he knows he needs to come home, so be it. Again, I would reiterate that a mission cut short for health reasons, is still an honorable mission served. His service should still be honored and celebrated at home -- he will still report in to the Stake President and give an accounting of his service. How much more he may be able to do is incumbent upon the health of the young man. I would recommend that you consult your bishop/branch president for further details.
2007-09-25 12:24:02 · answer #5 · answered by strplng warrior mom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I do believe that's a good legitimate reason to return home. I would percieve him as a brave young man. Not everyone has the guts to admit they have a problem and can't stay out there. Missions are not rights of passages. They're not a trial of fire that everyone has to go through. They're meant to invite others to join the church. If a missionary can't do his job, then he must return home.
2007-09-25 17:36:41 · answer #6 · answered by Lex 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..
But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.
Helping you eliminate depression?
2016-05-16 06:45:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that he was not ready and that he didn't let God stengthen him and use him in the way that he should have. We all need work done. Some take more time than others. And it sounds like he was probably getting easily discouraged and not feeling productive enough. Read James chapter 1. Running from problems never gets rid of them. We have to face them some time or another. Perhaps he felt ill-equipped and inadequate, but God provides all the equipment and is more than enough for all that we need. And if He told him to do missionary work in the first place, that means He's going to be there with him the whole way. We have our ups and downs in life but we have remember that He's there to catch us when we fall and to help us handle success right too. Hopefully, he can feel back on track and a little self-examination and Truth seeing. Don't forget to pray for him.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
2007-09-25 11:54:08 · answer #8 · answered by keizat 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.
Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life
2016-05-18 07:24:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why an Elder needs to come home early is individually based and caring LDS members will but out.
Treat him like an equal (which he is). Expect him to fulfill his callings. Be happy when he finds someone to take to the temple .
Let God worry about why he needed to leave early -- God knows best. It's really none of our business.
D
2007-09-26 05:32:59 · answer #10 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋