Overcoming Grief and Tragedy

May 12, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recently, I did a radio interview with David Griffin, one of the lead pastors of Community Life Church in Forney and Sunnyvale, Tx. David has some great insights into the questions we often ask when we suffer loss. If you are interested in the two part radio interview, check out the “For Christ and Culture” website and search “Responses to Tragedy” to hear the full programs. Here are some frequently asked questions:

  1. Is God really omnipotent? Tragedy tempts us to question God’s power. We are not alone in asking this question. The Israelites asked it over and over again in their 40+ year journey from Egypt to the promised land. They faced many tragedies (some of their own making), but God made good on His promise and blessed those who continued to trust Him. Israel’s journey to the promised land has been used as a metaphor for our life’s journey. We can take courage, knowing that the God who parted the Red Sea at the beginning of Israel’s journey and dried up the Jordan River at the end is the same God who leads us through the sea of loss and tragedy. Cling to Him and He will carry you through.
  2. Is God really omniscient? Tragedy tempts us to question God’s knowledge. We wonder if He was as blind-sided as we were when the pain struck. Psalm 121, however, reminds us that He is the God that “neither slumbers nor sleeps.” He knows all, is prepared for all, and has the answers for all situations that confront us. Confusing is one of the worst parts of suffering unexpected tragedy. Thankfully, we have an omniscient God who can see past the shadows of the valley to the radiant sunshine of the mountains beyond.
  3. Is God really benevolent? Most often, tragedy tempts us to question God’s goodness. This isn’t a new temptation. The serpent tempted Adam and Eve with this question thousands of years ago. Fortunately, we have an answer for that too. Tragedy comes as a result of sin. Sin taints every aspect of our humanity: body, soul, and spirit. God’s goodness, however, makes him infinitely just and infinitely loving. In our finiteness, we have trouble understanding how God can bring about perfect justice and perfect love at the same time. The Bible tells us that His means can be summed up in one word: REDEMPTION. Redemption is the transformative process that turns tragedy into triumph. That which was meant for evil is used for something good. Brokenness now becomes perfection. When you face tragedy, don’t limit God by demanding that he simply take away your pain. Allow Him the time He desires to provide perfect redemption for your circumstances. In the interim, allow yourself time to grieve, but not as someone who has no hope. You have no idea what miracles He may have in store just over the next hurdle.

QUESTION: What tips have you found helpful for ministering to people who have suffered a tragic loss?

OUR CALLING

February 26, 2013 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Our Calling is an outreach ministry to the homeless here in Dallas that I and my family support. I encourage you to do the same. For more information, check out www.ourcalling.org.

““Sometimes it’s easy to walk by because we know we can’t change someone’s whole life in a single afternoon.  But what we fail to realize it that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.”
-   Mike Yankoski, Under the Over Pass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

UNBROKEN

January 10, 2013 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Hi, Friends. I wanted to pass on a book recommendation. I am in the middle of a fascinating, awe-inspiring story detailing the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner and WWII prison of war who defied all odds and triumphed in the midst of great tragedy. I am so passionate about his story that I am encouraging everyone to go out a purchase a copy of his book, TODAY if possible. I am listening to it on CD as I ride back and forth to work. Anyone who has experienced suffering in their life will be amazed by Louis’ testimony. I cannot put the book down. I am recommending it to all my patients in this New Year and I recommend it to you as well.

Note: I have not been approached by anyone connected financially to the book, Unbroken. The opinions expressed here are my own and unsolicited. (Funny that I have to do this :) )

Treatment for Depression Part II

July 3, 2012 in Psychiatry | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 comments

In the last post, I discussed some of the psychological treatments of depression. Today, I want to give just a basic overview of the medical treatments available for depression.

Medications:

a.       How to decide – In psychiatry, we have flexible protocols by which we make decisions about biological treatment for depression. My rule of thumb is to evaluate a client’s level of functioning. If they are depressed but capable of engaging in psychotherapy, keeping up with their activities of daily living, and maintaining healthy relationships with those around them, medication may not be necessary. If however, a client is suicidal, unable to effectively process information, failing to keep up with daily life activities, or isolating from social supports, medication becomes an imperative for healing.

b.      The chemical model of treatment – There are two ways in which the nerves communicate. One is through electrical signaling within each nerve and the other is through chemical releases between the nerves. Initial treatment protocols for depression recommend using medications that impact the nerves indirectly through increases in chemical neurotransmitters. There are two main classes: the SSRIs (or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and the SNRIs (or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These medications act by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the spaces between nerves (the synaptic spaces).  With consistent use, these medications are thought to change the structure of nerve cells, making them more responsive to chemical signaling and thus more active. An analogy might be the ongoing stimulation of muscles in the arms and legs during weightlifting which increases the overall ability of the body to handle strenuous activity.  

c.       The electrical model of treatment – The gold-standard for treatment-resistant depression is still electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Because of side effects, however, many people are reluctant to consent to this. Fortunately we do have medications and some other modalities of treatment that affect the nerves’ electrical signaling. Often, we will use mood stabilizers like lithium to augment the antidepressants’ chemical effects on the brain. Lithium is thought to affect the channeling system that propagates the electrical impulses of nerves. There is also a new treatment available, approved by the FDA, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which has shown promise in treating refractory cases of depression.  I did a previous post on this treatment modality so I will not go into great detail on it here.

It is important to understand that medications are an integral part of a comprehensive plan for overcoming depression. They are rarely a stand-alone treatment. Just like with diabetes, if you only take insulin but continue to eat McDonald’s super-sized “Happy” meals, your condition is bound to get worse. In the same way, we must treat depression from all angles and be sure to assess faulty thinking, social stressors, and spiritual maturity as we strive for healing.

Question: What about you? Do you know someone who is wrestling with depression? How have you been able to help?

Treatment for Depression: Part I

June 26, 2012 in Counseling Theory, Psychiatry | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 comments

I have been doing a series of radio broadcasts on 90.9 KCBI through Criswell College’s “For Christ and Culture” spot on the topic of depression.

This week I further discussed some of the treatments that we use to help people who are depressed. As I have said often, there is a difficult tension between how much we should “let go and let God” and/or “work out our own salvation…” (I use that verse figuratively of course :) ) I have firmly stated that I am unwilling to go to one extreme or another on the matter, even though it would be easier to do so. With each individual, I must wrestle with all aspects of their humanity: biologically, psychologically, and spiritually. With that understanding, what are the most common psychological and biological treatments offered to help those suffering from depression?

1.       Psychotherapy (Talk therapy):

  1. Solution-focused therapy (SFT) – many individuals come to counseling with a specific problem that they would like professional help to address. It may be a specific conflict with a spouse, child, friend or coworker. It may be an educational or occupational decision that must be made. Whatever the specific problem, the therapist works with the client to generate solutions, test the solutions, and then see what worked and what did not. This can be just as valuable an experience as meeting with a lawyer to get legal counseling, a CPA to get financial counseling, or a pastor to get spiritual counseling. The appointments are usually limited to between 5 to 10 sessions.
  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – the practice of this form of talk therapy is very much in line with Christian principles. In fact, many Christian counselors use the practical methods of this therapy in their counseling office, whether they realize it or not. Formal CBT is very structured and involves active engagement of both the therapist and client in session as well as ongoing homework for the client between sessions. Because of its structured and formalized nature, it is easier to study scientifically than other forms of therapy, and by all reports, it is an effective means of treating depression. In this therapy, the counselor works with the client not just on solutions to specific problems (although this can certainly be incorporated) but more on analyzing the clients thoughts, emotions, and behaviors during an array of problematic situations. The goal is to change faulty patterns of thinking that negatively impact the client’s life.
  3. Insight-oriented or Psychodynamic Therapy - In this form of therapy, clients engage in a kind of “thought-behind-the-thought” analysis. It goes beyond simply challenging and changing faulty beliefs to deepening the client’s understanding of where and how they developed these thoughts. It addresses issues of psychological defensiveness (ways we protect ourselves from negative urges or emotions), personality styles, and past relationships and experiences that have solidified our view of ourselves and our world. This form of therapy can be very time intensive and requires a certain level of psychological-mindedness on the part of the client, but can still be extremely helpful to someone dealing with chronic depression.
  4. I will touch on medical treatment modalities in Part II.

My point in describing these various treatments is to give hope to individuals who are suffering. Science has come a long way in helping people who suffer from depression. My caveat, however, is this: suffering is a part of life. We will never find the magic pill to take away all pain and suffering. We seek to enjoy this life as much as possible while realizing that this was not the real life we were made for. Sometimes it feels like we are playing an endless game of “Whac-a-Mole.” Having just beaten down one problem, others surface for us to beat down. It is helpful in times like these to remember that we are called to praise God for the suffering He relieves (through whatever means including medical treatments) and trust Him with the suffering we continue to endure.

Question: What about you? What is your view on medical, psychological and spiritual treatments for depression?

Are Chemical Imbalances Real?

June 19, 2012 in Psychiatry, Spirituality | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I recently did a series of radio interviews on the topic of depression. Specifically, is it possible to identify someone with depression, what causes the symptoms, and can medication help? If you are in Dallas, you can hear the programs on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, June 20th and 21st, on 90.9 KCBI at 6:30pm and 10:30pm. For those of you out of state, you can check out the website www.forchristandculture.com and click on the “on the air” tab.

In the second program, I focused on the issue of chemical imbalances. Are there such things? If so, how relevant are they to our psychology and spirituality? Can medications help?

This is an important topic for me because I continue to find myself within a sphere of tension where the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of a client’s mental health may not be readily apparent.

I’ve said before that it is easier to focus on one of the three areas to the exclusion of the other two. This may be easier for the therapist, but it is not helpful to the client. In the radio interview, I read some statements from a professor at a Christian University in Texas who believed that the chemical imbalance idea was not practical or relevant to mental health. Here is a direct quote from the article:

“[The article stated] Counseling must go beyond merely symptom relief, and it must aim at spiritual transformation, to get people to conform to the likeness of Christ…a new professor was asked for his views on counseling those who have been diagnosed as having a chemical imbalance…’There’s no concluding evidence in science that it [a chemical imbalance] is real,’ he said, adding that neurotransmitters are not measurable in a living human being so nobody knows for certain whether anybody has an imbalance… The chemical imbalance diagnosis is problematic because, even if the imbalance could be proven, one still wouldn’t know if the imbalance caused the mood disorder, or if the mood disorder caused the imbalance.’” (Citation provided upon request.)

I agree with the first statement made. I am a firm believer in the fact that counseling must go beyond symptom relief and that our ultimate purpose as Christians is to encourage Christ-likeness. However, I have several problems with the argument that says because we do not fully comprehend all the intricacies of a particular problem, we should avoid it all together or focus on one particular aspect of a problem and ignore other potential solutions.

  1. The mystery of God’s creation is inexhaustible. No one would deny that the human cell is vastly more complex than what Darwin original thought when he developed his theory of evolution. Because it is so complex, should we ignore the study of it? Of course not. If our current knowledge of the cell turns out to be elementary at best, should we avoid using the knowledge we do have for practical purposes? No, we should not. Science has proven that a great deal of good can come from even the most elemental knowledge of a subject. (Note: Nerves are cells. We should study nerves.) Though we do not yet have the cure for cancer, Parkinson’s disease, autism, or schizophrenia, we don’t give up pursuing those cures. God created us as creative, curious beings and to deny that aspect of our humanity is to deny God’s sovereign design. This study should include the physical nature of our emotions.
  2. Chemical Imbalances are actually well studied. I explained Parkinson’s disease during the second radio interview. It is a disease that’s cause is unknown, but we do know the symptoms and that the symptoms occur because of an imbalance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. By giving a precursor of a neurotransmitter (yes, that’s right! An actual neurotransmitter) we can relieve the symptoms of the disease and help people have a better quality of life. The same can be said for depression. Though we don’t have all the answers as to the cause of depression, we do have physical treatments that can help relieve suffering, and that is exciting!
  3. Relieving suffering can bring people to Christ. I heard a comedian once say that telling someone that an antidepressant is just a crutch is like telling an amputee that his crutch is just a crutch for his one-leggedness. Um, yes, that’s exactly what it is. Thank God for crutches and prosthetic legs and for medications that can help us to live more effective lives for His glory. A person who fears that someone will turn away from Christ because his/her needs have been satisfied would have been appalled at some of the miracles Jesus performed. Jesus healed ten lepers knowing that only one of them would return to worship him! I think sometimes we fear that if we use means beyond the Bible to help people feel better (diet, excercise, medication, boundaries in relationships) that somehow we will distract them from exploring the spiritual side of life. This just isn’t true and even if it was, it should not preclude us from the act of compassion!

I say all this to remind each of us that we are all guilty of being flippant about things we don’t fully understand. Let’s be careful not to make the same mistake that Christians in Galileo’s time made when they demanded that the world was flat (an issue that the Bible never even addressed!). Let us instead, remain in that constant state of tension as we earnestly wrestle with the brokenness of life, always seeking to heal, to restore, to redeem broken pasts, to relieve suffering, and in our feeble, broken way, point people to Christ!

Integration of Theology and Psychology

May 1, 2012 in Counseling Theory, Psychiatry, Spirituality | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

I wanted to let those of you who are interested know about a week-long summer intensive that we are offering at Criswell College this year: The Integration of Theology and Psychology. I am very excited about this one week intensive scheduled for July 16th through the 20th. My good friend, Dr. Larry Dixon from Columbia International University will be joining me for the week to discuss topics related to the integration of our respective field. Below is some information from the course catalog:

This course will answer the question: “How does a counselor help a counselee grow through his or her life difficulties in a way that involves emotional growth, growth in Truth, spiritual transformation and a healthy and intimate relationship with God?”  Such growth is not an end in itself, but prepares the individual for deployment in God’s global cause.

The goal of this discussion course is to help Pastoral and Clinical Counseling students develop a keen awareness of the major philosophical, theoretical and practical issues impacting the integration of special and general revelation as pertains to the profession of counseling, while at the same time maintaining an attitude of humility and grace towards those with differing viewpoints.

To join us, call: (214) 821-5433 or (800) 899-0012 or visit www.criswell.edu

Not By Bread Alone: Freedom from Food Addiction and Eating Disorders

March 27, 2012 in Ministries, Psychiatry, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

This week on “For Christ and Culture,” I discussed the subject of eating disorders and food addictions. This is a pervasive problem in the United States that has taken hold of the lives of many people (women especially) and must be addressed spiritually, relationally, biologically, and psychologically. Jesus acknowledged that mankind cannot live by bread alone, yet we have made food and all that accompanies it (control, pleasure, survival) idols that have clouded our focus and enslaved us. For those of you who struggle to keep food in its proper place, let me give you some hope. There are resources that can help you to conquer your struggle. But first, you must do several things:

  1. Acknowledge what you really desire when you engage in eating disordered behaviors. (Control, Penance, Retribution, Mastery, Pleasure or avoidance of Pain, etc.)
  2. Recognize your powerlessness to overcome the struggle on your own.
  3. Confront the shame that keeps you from asking for help.
  4. Seek out a medical professional (dietician, psychiatrist, internist) who can help you take care of your physical body in a way that enables you to live the life God wants for you. (This may mean addressing the underlying depression that is perpetuating your behaviors)
  5. Open up to a Godly Christian counselor who can help you address the patterns of thought and emotion that keep you stuck in the addictive cycle.
  6. Establish a community of people (Support Group, Celebrate Recovery, a local Church body, Small group) who know your struggle and will not enable you to continue the addiction but will challenge you to move beyond it to be all that God wants you to be.

Here are some resources that may help to get you started:

  1. Texas Health Resources: Eating Disorders
  2. Remuda Ranch
  3. National Eating Disorders Association
  4. Sober Living by the Sea
  5. Focus on the Family
  6. Celebrate Recovery

Lord,

Care for this individual who desperately wants to give up control and be free of her addiction. Help her to seek out a more lasting source for her significance, her purpose, and her love. Lead her to people who can empower her to break free and experience peace in her identity, past present and future.

Amen.

Question: How have you overcome the internal struggles in your life? What encouraging resources have been helpful in your journey?

Note: For those of you interested in the radio program I did, it should be uploaded to the For Christ and Culture Website the week of the April 2nd.

Fighting Against Hysteria

February 28, 2012 in Inspirational, Psychiatry | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some of you may have heard about the recent article published in the Archives of General Psychiatry calling into question the wisdom of the FDA’s 2004 decision to issue a “black box warning” about the purported link between antidepressant use and suicide. I have found it interesting to study the trends associated with antidepressant prescribing and its effects on depression and suicide after the issuing of the black box warning. Ironically, suicide rates in teens actually increased after the issuing of the warning. It is believed that many doctors became fearful and stopped prescribing antidepressants even though many who were suffering needed the help.

I thought about how this mass hysteria created by the news media is a parallel to our own lives. Each of us has a black box that we carry around with us. It may be the fear of an impending job loss, a spouse’s betrayal, a financial crash, an injured child, or a potential life-threatening illness. We carry this black box with us whereever we go, allowing it to rule our thoughts and our behaviors, but never once do we consider opening it to examine the evidence for what we fear. The ultimate fear that all of us carry is the fear of DEATH, or as I like to call it, the fear of “an unlivable life.” In confronting this fear we must do three things:

1. Live Realistically.  Don’t ignore the black box. Unpack it. Examine it’s contents. Consider what it would really mean for you if the dreaded contents came true in your life. I had a client who had a morbid fear of having his personal identity stolen. He never thought beyond this fear to the end result. He just knew that he could never survive it. As we unpacked his black box, he realized that his identity being stolen would mean significant hassle in getting his bank accounts changed, his money refunded from his credit card company, and his credit resecured. As we walked through the steps of doing each of these things, he came to realize that, YES, it would be difficult but it would not destroy him. The mysterious fog that loomed over him lifted and he could come through sucessfully on the other side.

Live Responsibly. We’ve all heard that Tim McGraw song, “Live Like You Were Dying.” I get his point but I disagree with some of the things he would change. If we knew that we were dying, I don’t think we would need to quite our jobs, move to the mountains, sky-dive, or party until we drop. I believe the truly responsible act would be to continue our normal daily activities but with a deeper intentionality and commitment, knowing that we may be doing them for the last time. With this attitude, even the most mundane of activities would be magnificent.

Live Resiliently. Our fear of the unlivable life can stir within us a desire to give up on life completely. Fight against that desire! Even as treasured aspects of life are lost (your health, your job, your loved-ones, your valuables), recognize that you can always draw deeper from the LIVING WATER and discover that the depths of HIS LIFE are unfathomable. How do we do this practically? I was once asked in a Florida Television interview what I would say to the elderly invalid watching the program from the prison of their bed. My answer was this. “Even if you can’t make it from your bedroom to the kitchen. You can still do something more powerful than any human act imaginable. You can commune with an Almighty God and intercede on behalf of those who desperately need God’s presence in their lives.” Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work.” The older I get in this life, the more I believe this is true.

So what is your black box? How are you dealing with it? Can you say that you are living realistically, responsibly and resiliently in the face of death? I hope your answer is a resounding “YES!”

The Mystery of Success (Part 1): Contentment With Paradox!

February 8, 2012 in Inspirational | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 comment

Mark 8:34- Whoever desires to save his life will lose it. Whoever will lose his life for Christ’s sake will find it.”

Lord, these ancient words are confounding and mysterious. At the same time, they are as clear as an ocean sunrise.  I struggle with the desire for my life to mean something. I want recognition. I want glory. But to pursue these desires and measure my success by them would destroy me completely. In place of recognition and glory, I would only know infamy and disgrace. Like trying to fill my cup with the steam from a kettle, I know my own insanity. Take it! Take my life out of my own destructive hands and do with it what you will! Then give it back to me when and only when it belongs totally to you!

Lord, show me how to be humble, if possible, without having to be humbled. Show me how to deny myself, if possible, without having to be denied your blessings. Reveal to me the secret of taking up my cross only to discover that the burden is light. Let me be lost in You so that I can find myself. I choose to be content in the midst of paradox. I choose to bask in the certainty of You and nothing else.

Thank you for what you will do with this prayer…or perhaps what you will not do!

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I am a board certified psychiatrist, author, speaker and the Director of Counseling and Psychology at Criswell College in Dallas Tx. I also serve as an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. I have a passion for helping people through painful circumstances, be they physical illnesses of the brain, psychological conditions of the mind, social problems of everyday life, and/or spiritual crises of faith and worldview.

Interviews and More:

The Easy Way Out: Making Difficult Decisions
Change in a New Year
Endurance
Wanting, Willing, Waiting
Contentment and Its Nemesis
Go Ahead and Deal with Your Pain - watch 100 Huntley Street segment

Disclaimer

All information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for a professional evaluation or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress, please contact a mental health professional. Dr. Henderson cannot respond to inquiries about prescription refills, or medical or psychiatric emergencies over the internet. If you are a patient in need of assistance, please contact Dr. Henderson’s office directly, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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