April 3, 2009 · 5:53 am

Physiology Phriday: Your brain and your food


We all love certain kinds of foods and when we eat them, our pleasure quotients increase dramatically. Some recent work in brain imaging suggests that women with propensity for bulimia show “greater activation of key reward regions of the brain” after tasting a chocolate milkshake. These same individuals may also experience decreased activity in parts of the brain that control self-regulation and impulse control (as reported in the April 2009 Monitor on Psychology, pp. 48-49).

This area of research is new and so the results need replication plus interpretation. Does the brain function this way after years of bulimic behavior. Or, does the brain instigate or tempt such behavior (strong reward response plus increased impulsivity) with it’s prior functioning?

Of course, the individual struggling with bulimia cares only a little about the why. They really concern themselves with the what. How do I eat with moderation? How do I not eat for emotional reasons? Unlike alcoholics who can always avoid alcohol, everyone has to eat, and eat everyday.  So, what to do when your brain responds the way it does to food? Here’s a couple of practical ideas to start you down the right path:

1. Get a “coach” or counselor who you will be completely honest with. This coach will help you construct an eating schedule and an array of responses to eating or purging temptations.

2. Construct a realistic eating schedule that avoids avoiding food. Keep a food journal. Be honest. Keep troubleshooting with your coach until you find something that works best for you. Remember to check out your schedule (times and foods allowed) with a nutritionist.

3. Construct and use an array of behavioral responses to eating temptations. These include distractions, connections with others, ways to make the moment better, crisis call opportunities.

4. Develop mindful techniques to focus on eating, on stopping eating, on other forms of pleasure God has given you–even on the difficult emotions that you feel.

5. Identify controlling automatic thoughts and lies in your “script” that drive you in particular emotional and behavioral directions. These can be about your body image, about your relationships, etc. Begin responding to them with truth from God’s point of view. Make sure your coach and others know what truthes you are trying hard to believe.

6. As you recognize triggers, temptations, etc., also identify “ways of escape” offered you by God.

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April 1, 2009 · 11:44 am

No April Fool: Faculty meeting cancelled!


Folks, many of us faculty dreamed about being teachers. But, I guarantee that few of us dreamed of attending faculty meetings. So, when we found out today that our dean cancelled the meeting today, I suspect there was a private “woo-hoo” in every office–after making sure it wasn’t an April fools joke. If you are not a faculty member let me tell you a bit about this thing called faculty meetings. What I say is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but make no mistake, these are actual beliefs that we hold.

1. Every one of us believes that these meetings should determine the direction and activity of the school. We are the esteemed thinkers; purveyors of truth and therefore should be listened to when we deliberate on best practices of teaching, educational content, assessment of students, and setting the overall direction of the school. Never mind that almost no professor has any training in pedagogy other than watching their own teachers. We are specialists in our field but want to shape the entire school.

2. Faculty meetings are where we discuss these matters. There are faculty ranks (full profs, associates, assistants, lecturers; chairpersons; deans, etc) but in the meeting, every faculty member has an opinion and feels free to share his or her nuances regarding the comments made already.

3. Because of the democratic nature of faculty meetings, our personalities really shine. Those of the “just do it” mentality tend to want to move on quickly. Those of the more conservative personality are much more inclined to check and recheck for possible unconsidered danger in a particular venture.

4. As a result, faculty meetings are a bit like a meeting of Ents. It takes a long time just to say hello. You want to decide something? Well, that will take two or three hours.

In fact, Biblical Seminary faculty meetings aren’t as horrible as I am depicting. We do discuss very important matters. We do pray and frequently do work in the Word together. Furthermore, listening to each other and discerning the will of God does take time. Hurried decisions almost always problematic later on.

The challenge I have is knowing when to say when. I tend to be a contributor to the conversations. I think I have something of merit to say that hasn’t been said yet. I need to ask myself: Are my comments necessary? Will I later wish I had made my voice heard? Did I speak in a way that honors Christ? Did I listen well before jumping in? When commenting, do my colleagues recognize my characterizations of their positions? When I listen to the report of a committee do I first seek to learn from them or to question the basis of their work and thinking as if I could have done a better job.

The work of faculty at a seminary is invigorating. Faculty meetings are less so, but still important. Thanks Todd for cancelling ours today so that we can do some other things.

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March 31, 2009 · 5:42 am

The Value of Psychological Testing


My friend, former teacher, mentor, Ed Welch, has posted a blog on the CCEF website on the topic of psychological testing and how biblical counselors might view it. You can see his blog here as well as my comment on their site: http://www.ccef.org/psychological-tests-are-you-or-against#comment-28

Ed, as you will see, isn’t really against testing, recognizes value in it, but doesn’t really think they are all that special–no more so than a really good interview. And, in part, he is right. A really good counselor/interviewer and learn a lot. In my mind, though, testing provides confirmation of what you are learning about the counselee PLUS uncovers subtle data that you might not get quickly or at all (especially through the more objective forms of testing).

It seems people think about testing in one of two ways: either they think testing uncovers secrets that couldn’t be gotten without a test or they dismiss it as pure theory. It is neither. Good testing provides a response profile that one can look at and compare to either the general population or a specific population. That, in itself, isn’t all that helpful but when combined with a specific assessment question, the examiner can interpret the data and build good hypotheses to direct future counseling and intervention.

I love to do psych testing. I find that interacting with test results and counselees provides dialog points that wouldn’t have been as easily discovered or talked about without the data in front of us. For example, if someone takes a personality test and one of the scales suggests that they are approaching the test in a manner consistent with those who are trying to look better than they really are, that provides an opportunity to discuss an pattern in their life that we might not have had the chance to do so easily.

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March 30, 2009 · 5:51 am

Readings for Christian Psychology


Had a prospective student in recently asking about good readings to start with before beginning the Masters degree. My answer? It depends on your background and interests. So, I’m going to post a few of my recommendations today for the student with a college/university/grad background in psychology but who wishes to be more informed about the Christian world of counseling theory and practice.

Historical and Theoretical Foundations

Eric Johnson’s massive tome, “Foundations for Soul Care” (IVP 2007). At over 600 pages, you might be intimidated but you should try out Part 1 (ch. 1-3) which gives you historical and theoretical backgrounds. The rest is great too (check out p. 172 for a good illustration). Also, the Appendix 1 may help as well.

Eric also edited “Psychology & Christianity: 4 views” (IVP). You can see 4 different stances to christian counseling. The book isn’t the best because it does not, in my opinion, allow each model to be well represented. However, the first chapter does provide historical background and you can see the failings of each of the four views in their debates with each other.

Examples of Christian Counseling

Anything written by David Powlison or Ed Welch (www.ccef.org) will do just fine. Ed’s “When People Are Big…” book is a good start. More recent editions such as his book on addictions and depression are popular reads but helpful. David’s writings are best contained in their (now defunct) Journal of Biblical Counseling or on their website.

If you haven’t read anything by Larry Crabb, one of the most well-known Christian counselors, you might start with his “Finding God.” He has a dozen or more books to choose from but that one may be his best.

Want someone who best illustrates the integrationist model? Try Mark McMinn’s “Integrative Psychotherapy” (IVP). This book may be the most comprehensive effort to articulate both theory and practice by any Christian counselor to date. Or, look at any of Mark Yarhouse’s work. You can find his writings at www.regent.edu or http://psychologyandchristianity.wordpress.com/.

Want more of a theological foundation? Consider C. Plantiga’s “Not the Way its Supposed to Be” (Eerdmans).

There’s way more but that will get you started. If you really need more check out www.christianpsych.org for its lists of good books.

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March 27, 2009 · 10:03 am

Physiology Phriday: Hormones and Behavior


Sex hormones influence our mood and memory as well as a things like sexual desire. It is fairly clear that women with decreasing levels of estrogen (during their cycle or in perimenopause) have a higher propensity for depressed affect. It seems estrogen has an impact on the serotonergic receptors in the brain. Further, menopausal women suffering from low sexual desire report increased desire when given testosterone patches.

Clearly, our bodies are designed to function at their best with the right mix of hormones. But, given our fallen, less than perfect, bodies, men and women have to deal with mood, memory, and behavior challenges when hormones are “off.” This does not mean we are controlled by hormones and unable to function well if they are suboptimal. But, it does mean thinking and responding well may be more difficult.

Consider this hypothetical. A 15 year old challenges a 43 year old, out of shape, man to a game of one-on-one basketball. At that moment, testosterone fires through his body. He is more likely to accept that challenge and play beyond his conditioning so as to crush that 15 year old (to prove his male superiority to the 15 year old and to prove to himself he’s still got it, whatever it is.) in a best of 3 series. He gloats in victory only to cross the street and be unable to move for some time because he overextended himself and is experiencing severe ozygen deprivation.

How did testosterone work here? I don’t know but I’m looking for something to help me look less stupid 🙂

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March 26, 2009 · 5:42 am

Further thoughts about conflict


Whether we are two fighting 10 year olds or 60 year olds, we have a propensity to fight unfairly. Yesterday I mentioned the habit of character assassination. Today, I want to go a little further with these techniques (tongue inserted in cheek).

1. Make sure to start out telling the story in such a way that will emphasize your righteousness (overlooking your own sins) and equally emphasizing the other person’s sins. Be sure to read any and all possible data about the other’s motives in the worst possible light. Never give the benefit of the doubt.

2. If you are defending someone else who has done something wrong, be sure to protect them facing justice.

Some of these thoughts came to me during this week’s sermon on Judges 20. Note how the Levite tells the story about the awful Gibeah men but fails to point out his complicity in allowing his woman to be abused to death. Notice, as my pastor pointed out, how he generalizes from some people’s behavior to a whole people group. Notice also how the tribe of Benjamin fails to hold their own people accountable but closes rank to protect their own. These things are habits we easily engage in if we are not careful.

Or, how about a better way. Follow the model of dealing with conflict by first seeking personal assessment and repentance before pursuing the sins of others.

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March 25, 2009 · 5:43 am

The fine art of disagreeing


Ever noticed that some people can disagree with you to your face but do it in such a way that you are neither threatened nor feeling the need to go to the mat over the matter. What do these folk do differently?

First, they are willing to voice their disagreements. This is preferable to those who agree to your face but tell others they disagree with you.

Second, they do it in such a way as to not diminish you as a person. I’ve noticed that some people are expert in making others feel important–even as they may completely disagree with an idea. They validate you as a person. They assume you mean well and are authentic in your ideas and beliefs.

On the flip side, those who approach the fight looking to drag character into the matter, who assume you are duplicitous or have a hidden agenda, get our defenses up. It is a sure way to kill a relationship (marriage, work, family, etc.) to start a conversation challenging someone’s honesty and accusing them of not being upfront.

I think we are most likely to do this if we have been meditating on some real or perceived unfairness in the relationship.

But what if you really think the person isn’t being honest with you or themselves? Should you bring it up? It is my experience that the more attention to pay to their concerns (whether obvious or partially hidden), the more likely you can have a worthwhile conversation and either the dishonesty will reveal itself or it will become less of an issue. Of course this isn’t always true, but often, in most relationships.

So, if you can honor 1 Corinthians 13 in your disagreements, you will enrich your relationships with others and master the fine art of disagreeing with others in love.

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March 24, 2009 · 5:35 am

Fantasy vs. Desire?


Been thinking about these two words. How are they related, if at all? Does one precede the other? Do you need the ability to fantasize to build desire? Or vice versa?

The reason why I’m thinking about these words is because I’ve been working on some writing regarding the bible’s take on desire. Fantasy, per se, isn’t discussed in the bible but seems so much a part of desire.

Not to dismiss fantasy, but seems to me that when we fantasize, we passively engage in pleasure-seeking. But when we talk about desire, we often think about active attempts to satiate desire.

Any clarifying thoughts?

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March 23, 2009 · 1:51 pm

Pastor Health Conference Recap


On Friday, Biblical Seminary hosted the first of what I hope to be many “Pastoring though Church Challenges” conference for pastors. We had a nice 75 or so ministry leaders here to hear plenaries and breakouts regarding specific church challenges and opportunities/challenges to their spiritual and emotional lives.

Everything went just about as smoothly as could be. My assistant director (MA Counseling program), Bonnie, gets all the credit here. I had an idea…she made it happen–and happen well at that!

At the end I asked a few anonymous survey questions and over 50% responded. Here’s what we learned:

1. Over half of the respondents are facing high levels of chronic stress
2. Most report they are “managing with struggles” (opposed to managing either “poorly” or “satisfactorily”, or “well.”
3. When asked to write in the top 2 sources of their stress they gave answers that fit in several categories. The categories receiving the most “hits” were personal issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, sinful habits, no passion) and marital distress. Financial stress and church conflict got the next highest level of “hits.
4. 43% did not have regular contact with someone who really knew them and their personal issues
5. Interestingly, respondents were rather wary of joining face-to-face or web-supported support groups of peers. Most rated their interest (theoretical) as maybe to unlikely. Web supported groups (video/discussion) received the least interest.

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March 20, 2009 · 5:43 am

Physiology Phriday: Repetitive thoughts?


Have you ever been tortured by a repetitive word, sound, phrase, song, or the like run through your head? Does it happen only during the day? At night when you wake up?

In psychological studies, there are a number of ways people talk about these experiences. Sometimes folks talk about intrusive thoughts/imagery, but this is usually in the context of PTSD or OCD studies. Others talk about rumination or repetitive thoughts, usually in the context of worry, depression, or anger. Finally, another batch talk about hallucinations in regards to psychotic disorders.

But what is going on in the more mundane repetitive thoughts? Diagnostically, they probably fit a bit more in the OCD genre than anything else (like counting, ordering, etc.).

1. Stress is usually a factor. They happen more frequently the more distressed a person is. It means the person is on higher alert than normal. The repetitions may be directly related to the stressor or may not. What is not know is whether the repetitions are a consequence of stress or a mediator of stress. What is known is that when a person, under stress, experiences repetitive thoughts salient to the stress, feels responsible to fix the problem, and attempts to suppress repetitive thoughts, their ruminations are MORE likely to increase.

2. Neuroticism is probably a factor as well. Sorry folks: those with anxious and depressive tendencies have more repetitive thoughts than others.

3. Emotional intensity as a native trait of the person may also be a factor. There is some evidence that individuals with strong emotions have a greater predisposition to PTSD (and therefore intrusive thoughts) if exposed to traumatic events.

But what to do about repetitive thoughts? Have you found anything helpful? There are certain things that are NOT helpful

1. Ruminating over the thoughts (Ugh, I can’t believe I’m still having that thought)

2. Trying to solve the problem they may be attached to

3. Trying not to think about pink elephants

Okay, so maybe those things don’t work. What does? Sad answer? We don’t know. Distractions do for a short time. Some actually give in to them and repeat them outloud to try to quell them. The more it is possible to pay them little notice, the easier it is to let them slide on out of the mind.

Maybe try to consider them an interesting mental quirk–like the lovable Monk (TV detective) 🙂

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