What is Schizo-affective Disorder? Part 2

 Copyright 2014 Stteve Bloem
This is a repost

Thanks to The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)  (U.S.A.)

Schizo-affective disorder symptoms vary from person to person. People who have the condition experience psychotic symptoms — such as hallucinations or delusions — as well as a mood disorder. The mood disorder is either bipolar disorder (bipolar-type schizo-affective disorder) ,or depression (depressive-type schizo-affective disorder).

The danger of suicide

 Expression of suicidal thoughts or behavior may occur in someone with schizo-affective disorder. If you have a loved one who is in danger of committing suicide ,or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911, or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

 Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of developing schizo-affective disorder include having a close biological (blood) relative who has:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizo-affective disorder 

  Complications

  People with schizo-affective disorder are at an increased risk of:
  
• Social isolation
• Unemployment
• Anxiety disorders
• Developing alcohol or other substance abuse problems
• Significant health problems
• Suicide 
•  

  What you can do? You must see a medical doctor, preferable a psychiatrist

• 
  To prepare for the appointment:
• You must see an M.D. D.O., preferably, a psychiatrist
• Make a list of any symptoms your loved one is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment.
• Bring key personal information and include any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of medications, vitamins, herbal preparations and any other supplements that he or she is taking and the dosages.
• Go with your loved one to the appointment so that you know what you're facing and what you can do to help.
• Make a list of questions to ask the doctor to help you make the most of your time.

For schizo-affective disorder, some basic questions to ask include:

• What is likely causing the symptoms or condition?
• Are there any other possible causes?
• How will you determine the diagnosis?
• Is this condition likely temporary or long term (chronic)?
• What treatments do you recommend for this condition?
• What are the side effects of medications commonly used for this condition?
• If the treatment approach isn't effective, what will you recommend next?
• What kinds of counseling might help?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask questions anytime you don't understand something.

• When did your loved one start experiencing symptoms?
• Have symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• Has your loved one talked about suicide?
• How is your loved one functioning in daily life — is he or she eating regularly, bathing regularly, going to work or school?
• Have other family members or friends expressed concern about your loved one's behavior?
• Have any of your loved one's close relatives been diagnosed or treated for mental illness?
• 
  
• To see shchizo-affective diorder, part    1 
• 
  
• https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2884189586824237481#editor/target=post;postID=5671018127710884287;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname

If you don't know, "what to do with a person who is mentally ill," this will help

                       

Iidentifying the signs and symptoms

In this book we will discuss how to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness using the principle in the history of the medical field of “check the first symptoms” approach.”  Early intervention is important because depression, bipolar disease and other disorders are neuro-degenerative diseases, and getting speedy treatment not only relieves the intensity and severity of one’s suffering, but many times saves lives. It is a fact that one of the first stops for a suicidal, depressed person is the pastor’s office.  Many pastors, because of their lack of familiarity with mental illness, miss the real problem and offer some encouragement from Scripture such as “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” Another favorite is, “Be anxious for nothing,” in Philippians 4, or Psalm 23 “I will fear no evil; Thy rod and Thy staff shall comfort me.”  I have used all of the above in my fight against depression; but we must remember that Romans 8:10 also tells us “The body is dead because of sin and the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” These diseases called mental illnesses result from malfunctioning of the brain, which in turn affects the intellect, the emotions, and the will.

Mental illness and Vegetative Functioning

Mental Illness is a full body disease. It affects the vegetative functioning of the sufferer who either eats nothing or too much and cannot sleep or sleeps too much; his sex drive is either very weak or very strong; his internal clock (circadian rhythm) is not functioning properly; and he cannot concentrate.  There are others who may be hearing voices, (which are not from the devil) and some who are sure they are having a heart attack.Some have developed defense mechanisms: a common one is “a smiling depression. Others become  fixated on aches and pains, they may have.  Others lack insight into the real problem. This is called Anosognosia. We may feel someone is just “in denial” but Anosognosia (E. Fuller Torry)is) a medical term from the Greek that means, “to not know a disease.” When a person has a mental illness, they cannot always perceive their condition accurately. This is more common in some mental disorders than in others and sometimes a person’s awareness can switch back and forth making us think they are just being stubborn, when this Anosognosia is actually evidence of the disease.

Help is Needed

This manual will help you identify mental illnesses and their symptoms, to understand what to do when a person is suicidal, to b encourage and comfort the sufferer, and to make the choice of whether you can handle the problem yourself or if you need to refer the person to appropriate mental health professionals.

 Pastors need a solid pastoral theology.

This manual will also help you to have a biblical, pastoral theology that does not get caught up with, “one size fits all.” It will also unravel the differences or similarities between spiritual depression and bereavement or grief reactions. In my private practice, I have helped many people identify their mental illness.  I have been able to get them treatment quickly, while continuing to give them biblical counseling as well as a clinical understanding of mental illness.Job, no doubt, had a tri-fold depression and was deeply affected by great losses.  One of the severest attacks launched against him was by his friends who considered themselves his counselors.  He stands as a testimony through the ages of a person who endured astounding satanic attacks and because of his unswerving fidelity to God and His purposes, his book has been a help to many who suffer.

The Horror of Christians being killed in Nigeria

I would like to remind you that every believer in Christ Jesus our Lord is in a battle.
There is no armor for the back.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strengthof His might.  Put on the full armor of God, sothat you will be able to stand firm against theschemes of the devil. For our struggle is notagainst flesh and blood,but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of thisdarkness, against the spiritual forcesof wickedness inthe heavenly places. Therefore *, take up the fullarmor of God, so that you will be able to resist in theevil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.Be on the alertlert with allperseverance and petition for all the saints, 

Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOURLOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THEBREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATIONOF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;in addition to all,taking up the shield of faith with which you will be ableto extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.1And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

(Epheisans 6: 10-18-NASB)

Oct. 25, 2018 | Nigeria

Brutal Attacks Occurring Daily in Jos

Christians in Uttar Pradesh are experiencing a new onslaught of persecution throughout the state, including the closing of churches, imprisonment of Christians and false accusations against pastors of forced conversions and kidnappings. On Sept. 5, police arrested a pastor and 270 church members in Jaunpur, accusing them of illegally converting Hindus to Christianity. Later, police and Hindu extremists prevented believers from attending five other churches in Jaunpur. In another incident, A VOM contact said Hindu extremists dragged a pastor in Latehar out of his church along with his wife just before a service started. Other pastors have been awakened in the middle of the night, taken from their homes and accused of false conversions. VOM contacts believe this new crackdown has resulted from propaganda that accuses pastors of luring Hindus to Christianity through various enticements, including performing miracles and drugging Hindus. A pastor whose church was featured in a derogatory movie about Christians was alleged to have kidnapped a girl, telling her parents if they didn’t convert to Christianity he would kill her. Pray that believers in Uttar Pradesh will stand firmly on the truth. Pray for those accused and imprisoned. Pray for the Christians working tirelessly to help those affected.

Post Your Prayer

https://www.prisoneralert.com/ 

Schizo-Affective Disorder, What is it?, Part 1

This is a re-post


Copy right, 2014, Steve Bloem


Schizo-affective disorder symptoms vary from person to person. People who have the condition experience psychotic symptoms — such as hallucinations or delusions — as well as a mood disorder. The mood disorder is either bipolar disorder (bipolar-type schizo-affective disorder) ,or depression (depressive-type schizo-affective disorder).
Psychotic features and mood disturbances may occur at the same time or may appear on and off interchangeably. The course of schizo-affective disorder usually features cycles of severe symptoms followed by a period of improvement, with less severe symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of schizo-affective disorder may include, among others:

• Delusions — having false, fixed beliefs
• Hallucinations, such as hearing voices
• Major depressed mood episodes
• Possible periods of manic mood or a sudden increase in energy and behavioral displays that are out of character
• Impaired occupational and social functioning
• Problems with cleanliness and physical appearance
• Paranoid thoughts and ideas

When to see a doctor

If you think someone you know may have schizo-affective disorder symptoms, you should tell  that person about your concerns. Although you can't force someone to seek professional help, you can offer encouragement and support and help your loved one find a qualified doctor or mental health provider.

 Expression of suicidal thoughts or behavior may occur in someone with schizo-affective disorder. If you have a loved one who is in danger of committing suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

The exact cause of schizo-affective disorder is not known. A combination of factors may contribute to its development, such as:

• Genetic links
• Brain chemistry
• Brain development delays or variations
• Exposure in the womb to toxins or viral illness, or even birth complications 
• 
  

 Please see my new book, The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness's: A Guide for Training and Reference https://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-did-i-write-pastoral-handbook-of.html 

Paul and his missionaries probably had Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

It was a suffering that the apostle said was like a death sentence. Second Corinthians 1:9 states, “indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves.” The Greek word for “had” carries the idea of still having a vivid recollection of that experience. In today’s language, we could say that the missionaries had PTSD. The great lesson here, for our purposes, is that when a person is biologically or spiritually depressed to this point, they can look to God and know. that not only this type of suffering, but also the deliverance that will come is from a merciful, and loving Father. God is a great deliverer of His suffering people. 

Paul goes on to talk about God’s deliverance from sorrow, grief .and depression, he “who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope, and He will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10–11). It all became part of the Holy Writ. It has been tested throughout history that the compassionate, merciful Father has a way of delivering his people. 

Paul said that he had learned that the Lord, who had delivered them in the past, was delivering them in the present, and would deliver them in the future.
 The following quote from Lange’s commentary is helpful on this passage. Of all persons in the world, the minister of Christ should know what true consolation and a cheerful spirit is. Only those who have comfort can impart it






"A theologus non tetanus, a minister without an experience of personal trials in religion, lacks an important qualification for his work. The more afflictions, the more power he has; and the moment he enters the furnace of affliction, he has a virtual announcement from the Lord that some great work is before him, and that God is preparing him for higher usefulness. The soldier who is allowed to remain continually around the camp-fire will never learn true bravery. A minister’s afflictions deepen the impression of his discourses. The admonitions of a veteran general have a power which no young captain can ever have 
Langes' Commentary of  Second Corinthians, public domain).This quote comes from Steve Bloem's new book. The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness: A Guide for Training and Review.ppl 12, 13. How can you buy It?  https://www.amazon.com/Pastoral-Handbook-Mental-Illness-Reference/dp/0825444667 

One of the greaest encouagement to the Chrisitan!

        When I was first depressed at age  twenty nine years old; I was going to see a psychiatrist,who was the medical director of a Christian psychiatric hospital. One of the first things he said to me was; "you are one of the cky ones, you have a mental illness that is not severe, and is very treatable. "He then quoted the Scripture below

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison,  while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:16-18, NASB).

     I was shocked that he had such a lack of  compassion. Over the years, I have realized what this passage was saying. It was not saying that a child of God would not have afflictions, trials, denials, and disappointments . But  what it does say is that you must view your sufferings  in the light of eternity., I have a  serious disease. bipolar 2 disorder. I am sixty three now, and I can see and feel what the apostle Paul said, " though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Yes, we are  wasting away (decaying in he NASB). But one day we will be resurrected and get a new body. Again the Apostle states, 

 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself Philippians( 3:20,21 NASB).

        As William How said in his hymn, "For all the Saints";we feebly struggle, they in glory shine." 

 Our great hope as believers is to realize that we are co-regents with Christ. This means that      we like Him will suffer But it does not stop there. Scripture says, "We should not lose heart. The  Greek root transliterated is egkainizo.It means to renew, to do renew, again,.We know from Romans 12:2:that the opposite of losing heart is to be renewed.  Romans tells us that part of our daily walk is to renew our minds.  This is done by the Holy Spirit using the word of God. This is considered part of f our salvation. is known as justification. It is a reasonable service.

Italy and the United States Have a Different Approach To Mental Illness

My blog is visited about  1,900 times in a month's time. The blog, which is written in the United States cyber space, and visited by Italians more than any country, except the U.S.A. The  video in this blog, which is very short, (under two minutes) is well worth the time it takes to watch it. There are a  number of very good links to other videos on mental illness, which are available to view. If you would like to "binge watcch" other videos related to the subject, they can be seen,if you stay on this link and  it will go t an

Please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIwQ_vhmHik The video is 1 minute and 18 seconds. Our web site is heartfeltmin.org (It is being updated but is available.

Rev. Steve Bloem and his wife have collectively written two books. If you give a donation of thirty dollars to give to our nonprofit agency, Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, we will send both books to you, shipping included. If you are on the European continent or other places besides the United States you need to look for a place that sells The Pastoral Handbook. It  is being sold in  Europe, Hong Kong , Russia, the Ukraine.  Great Britain, Australia, and other places. You can pay by check or online. .

 Our web site is heartfeltmin.org. 

Thanks SB

Have you ever heard of spiritual darkenss? - Part 2

Dr. Thomas Manton

(2.) The next is a greater evil, when we understand not our duty towards God, and the reason of our troubles. It is some comfort to a child of God when he knows his duty under such a condition; a speaking rod, though it be smart, is more comfortable than a dumb rod: Ps. 94:12,

“Sermon upon Isaiah 50:10” (The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, D.D. [London: James Nisbet, 1874], 18:51–61) gives great comfort to depressed and tried believers. Some editing has taken place, but nothing that would affect doctrine.

“Blessed is the man who you chastens and teaches him out of your law.” Our advantage comes not by being afflicted, but by being instructed in our afflictions, when the rod makes us tractable and pliable to God’s counsel: Job 36:10. “He opens their ears to discipline;” and ver. 15, “He opens their ears in oppression.” It is the property of beasts to feel the smart of the rod, but men especially. good men should know the use of the rod. Our condition is not altogether dark when God has humbled and instructed his people under his chastenings, that they may get good by their chastenings; but when they are still in the dark as to the reason and end of their troubles, it is the more grievous.

[2.] When we want the light of consolation, and that two ways—either by present experience of God’s love, or hopes of future deliverance.

(1.) As to present experience of God’s love: Rom. 5:3–5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and hope makes not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.” It is promised to the upright that light shall rise on them in obscurity: Ps. 112:4, “Unto the upright there rises light in the darkness.”

Now it is very sad and afflicting to them when they cannot get a comfortable and satisfactory sight of God’s love to them, or presence with them, or mindfulness of them in their afflictions, but he hides himself from them. This is the bitterest ingredient in their sorrows, that God hides his face from them; they should not else resent so much other sorrows.




The favor of God is the godly man’s choice: Ps. 4:6, 7, “Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time when their corn and wine increase” And their life: Ps. 30:5, “in his favor is life;” and therefore they cannot but be most affected with the sense of the wanting it. This is the trouble of their trouble, and makes their darkness to become thick darkness.

(2.) As to future deliverance, when they cannot look through the cloud of present trouble with any hope of relief, or have not any probable appearance of any good issue: Ps. 74:9, “We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet, neither is there among us any that knows how long.This is very sad. Troubles that have an end are the better borne; but when we are altogether puzzled when we think of a remedy and an escape, then we are overwhelmed, like a man ship wrecked and swimming for life in the vast ocean, and sees no banks or land near.

Secondly, The reasons why this may befall the people of God. There are reasons on man’s part, and on God’s part..

Steve and Robyn  Bloem

Broken Minds also has a chapter on the Puritans and Pastoral Theology

"Broken Minds is a deeply personal, yet practical, book for Christians who are clinically depressed or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Mental illness. Those words bring to mind frightening scenes of padded walls, white straight jackets, and screaming people. But mental illness is often much more subtle--and much more prevalent than we imagine. Unfortunately, people who are diagnosed as being mentally ill may not understand what is happening to them. And for Christians, some "helpful" leaders heap on guilt, saying that the problem is spiritual rather than physical in nature. This book takes Steve's personal story of major depression and weaves through it Robyn's insights and Steve's professional knowledge. The result is a tapestry of practical information--including definitions, treatment options, government services available, and interactions with the church and God--and a deep compassion for those who feel like their world is falling apart.

http://www.kregel.com/ministry/the-pastoral-handbook-of-mental-illness/

This is a new book that has just come out.

Christians dealing with mental illness often first look to their pastors for help. Few pastors, however, are trained to recognize and deal with mental illness, and they can unintentionally give advice that is ineffective or even dangerous. Counselor Steve Bloem fills this void by equipping pastors and other church leaders to identify the symptoms of common mental disorders, to offer biblical encouragement and comfort to those suffering from them, and to decide when to refer them to mental-health professionals.

Bloem makes a foundational biblical case for the reality and treatment of mental illnesses, and he dispels a number of myths about those who suffer from them. Drawing on extensive counseling and pastoral experience, he provides essential tools and advice for those in ministry to help people battling depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, and other mental illnesses. Pastors, counselors, and seminary students will find this handbook to be an indispensable guide for these important issues.