After Psychosis
How Biblical Counseling Can Help
by
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The perhaps clinical, and inherent overshadowing of all this specific terminology, can have the negative effect of distracting some of these persons away from biblical solutions and even focusing on their identity as “sick.” Even with medication, biblical hope can alleviate their symptoms if not greatly help cases with regards to their perspective, or in their coping or proactive efforts to counter the sin in their hearts. Regardless, as seen in a later chapter, the integration of prayer and spirituality with the personal God of scripture has a unique effect on neuroplasticity, where I cite neurobiologists to this effect, which also in this case, tends to directly impact a person’s ability to form and maintain relationships and to adapt. In fact, I will state my conclusion at the outset and say that all psychotic people struggle with sin, and the Bible helps them. But psychotic people, being sinners, should not be presumed psychotic because they are sinning. The fact that the biblical worldview can also form a person’s moral and spiritual parameters in such profound ways will be seen in the final two chapters and leading up to this as well. This can fundamentally transform us as people. It changes us from hopeless to hopeful. It fills an inner void that needs to be redressed with significant spiritual aid whatever our situation. Neither would I suggest that psychotic people don’t need their meds, not even in the least! I am not a counselor. I am attempting to document my own navigation of these issues and to come alongside other people who are affected by these things directly or indirectly. I have even met some few people, and read about some others, who did come off of their meds (with the full knowledge and cooperation of their psychiatrist - which should always be the case) and were successful, but strictly speaking, perhaps the late biblical counselor Jay Adams was “right” in their situation, but not with regards to countless others, for whom medication is more than a temporary crutch, as is the case with myself and so many more.
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About the Book
This book focuses on the symptoms of psychosis. This medical issue is oftentimes present in the "big three" of severe mental illnesses. After Psychosis addresses common misconceptions and common complaints from sufferers, and it delves into biblical solutions for their accompanying spiritual struggles. It is meant to come alongside both those suffering and those who are indirectly affected by these illnesses.
Because it is a book focused on the spiritual struggles of those suffering, its primary content centers on the Bible and how it addresses such issues as not believing the best about others, suspicion, rash judgement, pride, and more. However, medication and a medical exam are a required first in these severe cases, but biblical guidance is also critical in addressing these issues of the heart with significant spiritual help.
Psychologists and psychiatrists often cite the benefits of spiritual guidance to those suffering. This book examines the claims of neurobiologists to that effect, but it also addresses myths surrounding demon possession, as well as myths regarding certain cultural claims as to causes of severe mental illnesses. The goal is to find our satisfaction in trusting God rather than only relying on the very real benefits of modern medicine alone.
About the Author
Adam has a B.A. in Christian Ministries and an M.A. in Biblical Studies. Adam was medically discharged from the Army with schizophrenia in 2010. He subsequently took counseling classes and wrote about schizophrenia in his 2016 book, Schizophrenia, Mental Illness, and Pastoral Care. He currently blogs about biblical studies and mental health topics on the “Blue Collar Biblical Scholar” blog. He is married to Jenece and has two daughters, Emma and Nora.