t a l k i n g i t o v e r
with Dr. Clyde M. Narramore Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a pschologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States. TEEN-AGER ILL
problem you may become well soon. Do feel free to write me again. RECOVERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS Question: Sometime ago I wrote you about my specific emotional and men tal difficulties. I am happy to report that the Lord is bringing me out of them. 1 no longer have suicidal thoughts. I sat down and started from the beginning, writing out my fondly history and past experiences. It is not my psychiatrist that is helping me so much, but my pastor as well as my medical doctor who is a Christian. As we go through the whole thing to gether, I find that many of the things that were bothering me subconscious ly were a result of my childhood. As these experiences are talked out and brought before the Lord, solutions begin to appear. Answer: I rejoice with you that you are on the way to good health again. I am glad that your pastor and your Christian medical doctor understand the nature of emotional and mental illness and have encouraged you to identify your experiences, discuss each, and thereby break the impulses which have been binding you. Indeed your complete trust in the Lord and your Christian activities are essential in your recovery. How I wish more mentally disturbed people knew what is available through Christ and the dynamic Christian life! LISTEN TO DR. NARRAMORE over KBBI, 107.5 me, Los An geles, Monday through Friday, 12:45- 1:00 P.M. with "Psy chology for Living." (Also heard on selected stations across the country and foreign missionary radio installations around the world.)
Answer: I appreciate your writing me and I know I can help you. I am sending you separately, the name of a Christian psychiatrist who lives in a nearby city. You should see him immediately and he will discuss your problem with you. There are several possible reasons why you are feeling this way. One is physical. You may very well have a medical problem about which the psychiatrist will talk to you. He will undoubtedly give you a thorough medical examination or refer you to a medical specialist for this diagnosis. Another possible cause of your con dition may be psychological. You see, when God made us, he built in cer tain basic psychological needs (read my book, “This Way to Happiness” which deals with the basic psycholo gical needs of man). Evidently these needs have never been met in your life. Consequently, you have become ill. These deep feelings can be elimi nated through a series of discussions with the Christian psychiatrist I am referring you to. As you identify the causes, air them, discuss them, and gain a proper perspective toward them, they will lose their power on your life. Another cause of your condition may be spiritual. Although you have trusted in Christ, you need to estab lish a strong program for spiritual development. Your pastor, or another Christian leader in whom you have confidence, can help you. May I sug gest that you: (1) Daily read God’s Word, (2) Spend time each day in prayer, (3) Attend church regular ly, (4) Witness as God leads you, and (5) Saturate your heart and mind with fine, Christian books and Gospel music. Books and recordings are available at all Christian book stores. As you receive these three types of help you will begin to feel better. Since you seem to have unusual per ception and insight concerning your
Question: / am a teen-age girl 16 years of age, and very, very confused. I have accepted Christ as my Saviour, and for this reason I feel as though I have failed Him because of the trouble I am having. My home is not a Christian home, and since I have been saved I have received much trouble from my fam ily. Although we were never close, things are worse now. I am terribly afraid of many things, especially at night. I fear war, Communism, Christ’s return, and just being in the dark. I realize that the Christian is not supposed to fear the second com ing of Christ, but my picture of it is most frightening. I cry fifty percent of the time, and I feel as though I am walking on a long, dark road all alone. When by myself, I pretend 1 am married to a minister, and expecting a dear baby. I love to pretend that he loves me very much and that we are very happy. When doing housework, I pretend the house is mine, and that my husband is gone out on a call and I am cleaning the house for him. I have always lived in a dream world, one of make-believe. When I was a child, 1 really be lieved all of my dolls were real peo ple. Now I have a stuffed monkey, which l know, if taken apart, would be nothing. Yet, I talk to it and I actually feel he hears me. When l cannot pretend, I lock my arms around this monkey and cry. I have prayed many times about this, but 1 seem to get nowhere. I want to run and run and never stop. I know the Lord is grieved by my actions, but I have prayed about this for some time and I only seem to become worse. Is something wrong with me? Please help me so I may walk closer with my God. I feel as though I can last no longer. Your help and time would be most appreciated.
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