The Futility of Oversimplification

I hadn't planned on writing this post until after I returned from my brief weekend "study break," but Mer's post echoed some of the sentiments that have been rolling around in my head this past week as I've played mental marbles to keep myself occupied and focused during my days on the psych ward.

I find it fascinating that our society prides itself in oversimplified statements that are aimed to magically eliminate the problems of human nature. Does anyone remember the commercial back in the 80's about "Just say no...be an original" sang by a "Huey Lewis and the News" type character (ok so I had an older brother who was into that kind of music) ? Catchy phrase, lots of money invested in interesting commericials targeted at innocent-minded 4 year olds who would have rather watched five more minutes of cartoons as opposed to such commericals, but I have yet to meet a drug addict that has told me the reason for their drug problem is because "they just couldn't say no and be an original" or that if only they had seen or heard more of such propaganda they might not be in such a state of misery today.

Yet we like such short oversimplified phrases. They're catchy. They're comfortable. They bear no responsibility for the one that states them. It's easy to say "Don't drink" or "You should stop smoking. Smoking's bad for you." or "Just stop eating and you'll lose weight" or "Stealing's wrong." While all these statements bear validity, none of them address the real issues that drive these compulsions.

"Don't drink" doesn't address the chronic alcoholic's need to acknowledge and confront his emotions concerning past events which then leads him to feel lonely which then drives him to alleviate his loneliness through drinking. "You should stop smoking..." doesn't address the fact that smoking is part of the smoker's family culture, that they've grown up knowing nothing else and that part of their family's income depends on the annual crops of Burley tobacco. For them, smoking is a part of their life, a part of their heritage. "Just stop eating and you'll lose weight," doesn't address the fact that a person has found comfort in the consumption of food as a means of coping with stress in her life instead of having the courage and support to cope with it in more healthy ways. "Stealing's wrong" doesn't help the prescription drug addict who is desperate for their next fix of Xanax or Oxycontin because they haven't found a successful means to manage their pain following an accident or the family and relationship stress that ensued.

So we must discard such catchy simplified phrases and be willing to scratch beneath the surface of the outward manifestations of the inwardly suffocating pain that is born by many of those around us, to assume responsibility and make an investment in the form of time and emotions in those that "shouldn't" but "can't." It might just be worth it....

More than Crazy

Psychiatry--often dubbed the "easy rotation" of the 6 required third year rotations, the specialty most often joked about, and the one that conjures up images of long couches and "shrinks." Yet, during the past week, I haven't really found any of these terms or ideas particularly applicable. What I have encountered is alot of broken people, broken lives, broken relationships.

I have been astonished at the role sin plays in the causation and perpetuation of mental anguish. (I'm not oversimplifying mental disorders as a mere result of sin; many are due to organic causes). I am surprised at how scary and cruel the world can be without love, that people exist and live their lives with such blatant disregard for the rights, responsibilites, and limits of others. It is apalling that such people would cause such mental havoc in the lives of children by refusing to acknowledge and own their own sins and how the harboring of negative emotions and the refusal to deal with sorrow, suffering, and grief can display itself in such fearful and psychotic manifestations. At the same time, I realize that many of those people were probably once broken children as well.

Sometimes I wonder if we don't need a mental and spiritual "check-up" each year as much as we need a physical "check-up." And why is it that we're so willing to pray for and support the physical illnesses of others but seemingly reluctant to address the spiritual illnesses? Why does it seem like that the expression of grief and sorrow is sometimes perceived as less Biblical and that "just dealing with it" is a better option? My Savior grieved. Was he less of a person for doing so?

So after spending a week with "crazy" kids, I find my heart somewhat broken for them, I find my mind perplexed and wondering where I fit into this picture of broken people and a broken world, and I find my emotions grateful for a God who gladly mends the cracks in my own broken vessel and the vessels of others. I leave you with a few mental health "tips"... It should be an interesting rotation...

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." -Proverbs 14:30

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests before God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Godly sorrow brings repentence that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldy sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves...what longing, what concern..." II Corinthians 7:10-11

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed..." James 5:16

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." -Proverbs 29:11

Some Good News

Yes, I realize I'm on a roll with the blog updates...

It's probably because I've been spending too much time on the road thinking and not enough time in the books studying. Anyways, I couldn't help but share this good but somewhat uncertain news and ask for your prayers for this family. Adam is a Quillen student in the class below me. I'll let his journal tell you the rest...

www.caringbridge.org/visit/abeltyson

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death." -Psalm 68:19-20