March 5, 2007 · 3:24 pm

Diagnosing and connecting to those with paranoid schizophrenia


In the throes of meetings and class prep (childhood disorders, personality disorders) for 6 hrs of teaching so I’m not going to do a review of literature. Planning tomorrow to hit the issues of parenting books again. But today I’m going to make mention of a letter that every faculty member got here at Biblical this past week. This letter advised us of the connections between a minor prophetic book, celestial military engagements, sinful patterns, and the earth’s rotations (or imminent stoppage thereof).  

On a frequent basis I get letters from well meaning individuals who want to help me understand some hidden truths that many Christians have missed down through the millenia. These letters have differing content but several similarities worth mentioning. I do so here NOT to make fun of them but to recognize the world they live in and offer a possible way to connect with someone in your life with similar issues. Far too frequently, we run from those we deem are “crazy” without looking at the deeper connections we might have with them:

Here are common threads of these kinds of letters: Continue reading →

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March 2, 2007 · 11:37 am

Seminary training encourages arrogance and an apology


Over the years, I have learned that the best form of teaching is through mistakes. I just don’t like (a) learning that way, (b) don’t like teaching from my mistakes. But that is just what I did this week. Continue reading →

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Filed under Evangelicals, teaching counseling

March 1, 2007 · 2:01 pm

Anxiety talk upcoming


Will be doing a 2 hr lecture (9-11) on anxiety and a biblical response this Saturday at Church of the Savior, Wayne, PA. Will post slides on the articles, slides, etc. page. Looking forward to being there. I did a similar talk there just after 9/11 and it interesting to see how some of my thinking has changed.

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Filed under Anxiety

February 28, 2007 · 5:58 am

Contemplating Joseph and the temptation to “happily ever after” other people’s suffering


Have been reading the story of Joseph to the kids before bed and this jumped out at me: the lingering pain he felt long after he was number 2 in command in Egypt. Notice the difference between the Sunday School version and the actual biblical story: Continue reading →

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Filed under Biblical Reflection, suffering

February 27, 2007 · 11:40 am

Me time? Why are men inclined to distrust their women?


These thoughts came to me while listening to a song on radio on the way from class last night. Bear with me, it takes a bit for me to get to the point. Oh, and don’t miss my little swipe at Maslow at the very bottom.

Last night I was teaching on sex dysfunctions and therapy. Though some couples struggle with physical problems (e.g., exposed vaginal nerves, hormones, prostate problems, diabetes, medication-related, etc.), many have problems that find their initial roots in (a) knowledge, (b) expectations, (c) fear/trust/control. Despite the fact that we live in a sex-crazed world, many couples have distorted knowledge and expectations about sex (how it should happen and what it should be like) that lead to hurt, disappointment, fear, and withdrawal. One of the bigger problems is the differences between men and women in level of sexual desire. Now I’m stereotyping here and not every man and woman fit, but frequently men have great desires for sex and women find it more like work, even when they enjoy it. Here’s the problem for some men. Continue reading →

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Filed under Abuse, Sex, sexuality

February 26, 2007 · 5:03 pm

Science Monday: Treatment for body image problems?


One of the key hallmarks of those suffering with eating disorders is their tendency to define their self-worth primarily by body shape/weight or should I say by their perception of their body shape/weight as this group tends to overestimate their size and shape.

What treatments help a person to regain a realistic sense of body shape as well as to us a different measuring stick to measure their worth? Given the obsessive-compulsive symptoms (weight checking and compulsive restricting) do OCD treatments help here as well? Continue reading →

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Filed under counseling science, eating disorders

February 23, 2007 · 2:46 pm

Caffeine isn’t addictive?


Millions of individuals consume multiple cups of caffeine each and every day. Thank you Starbucks and it 6,000 stores worldwide. Despite the fact that most of us drink more than we should (to get the kick we used to get from less) and suffer from withdrawal headaches and irritability when we stop, some researchers believe it is not an addiction. Why do they think this? It poses no social ills and merely ingesting a bit more caffeine stops the withdrawal symptoms–so says Sally Satel in a 2006 article in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol abuse (32:4). I did note that her article was supported by a grant from the American Beverage Association. Hmmmm, I wonder what stake they have in that “finding?”

In 2005, Heather Jones and C.W. Lejuez did a study of personality correlates in those who are caffeine dependant (Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 13:3). They looked at possible relationships between caffeine dependency and sensation seeking, impulsivity, and risk taking. Only Sensation seeking had a positive relationship with heavy caffeine drinkers. I suspect that our love for arousal and the sensation of the drink suggests that we give in to the impulse for one more cup, not so much because we are trying to avoid the pain of withdrawal but because we desire the rush.  

Whatever. I’m just glad its part of God’s creation and that it wasn’t the tree He said was not for our consumption.

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Filed under addiction

February 22, 2007 · 5:47 am

If you’re reading this…you might be addicted to the Internet


How much time are you spending on-line these days? Do you try to cut down? Feel guilty because you neglect your real responsibilities at work or home? Do you feel the need to follow that link on the page you have in front of you? While not defined in an official way yet, some are suggesting the following criteria for addiction to the Internet (from Wikipedia). You can read below if you like but I’ve got to get off of here and go do some work… Continue reading →

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February 21, 2007 · 11:19 am

Ponder the effects of hidden sin


Consider Zophar’s description of how a secret sin turns sour in the stomach. While Zophar’s speech making and judgement against Job was completely out of place and later rebuked by God [note: a warning to us counselors that we can be completely right about something and yet deliver the wrong message to the wrong person. Scary!], his description still helps us see how giving in to “sweet nothings” entraps and kills us. 

Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth, yet his food will turn sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of serpents within him. He will spit out the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach vomit them up. He will suck the poison of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading. For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build. Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure. Job 20:12-20

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Filed under addiction, Biblical Reflection, sin

February 20, 2007 · 4:33 pm

What is your pattern of addiction?


Everyone, everywhere has had struggles with being enslaved to something (a thing, idea, habit, etc.). One of the first steps to doing violence to such a problem is to understand the pattern in your life. When we first become aware that something has us, grips us, we often are not fully aware of how we cycle through the pattern. Here’s how I help people identify the cycle of their addiction. Some of my material came from Patrick Carnes work. Continue reading →

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Filed under addiction