King's Business - 1959-04

Talking it Over by Dr. Clyde M. Narramore

Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school system r in the United States

A . A manic-depressive psychosis is a type of mental disorder character­ ized by alternating periods of exal­ tation with excessive activity and depression with inhibition. Mental Health Q. What does one mean by the term “ mental health,” and how is it related to spiritual conversion? A. Mental health might be de­ scribed as a positive, dynamic bal­ ancé amidst stress and strain. One who enjoys good mental health has a wholesome optimistic outlook on life, even though life may not al­ ways be rosy. The term mental health was once thought to be close­ ly related to the absence of mental disease; however, today a far more positive conception is prevalent. A prominent mental health association gives this definition: “ Mental health in its broadest sense has come to mean the measure of a person’s ability to 'shape his environment, to adjust to life as he has to face it and to do so with a reasonable amount of satisfaction, success, efficiency and happiness.” W ith this in mind, may I suggest that one cannot en joy the greatest measure of mental health unless he has placed his sins at the foot of the cross, has risen with the knowledge of the indwelling H oly Spirit, has taken God’s W ord as his guide, and has experienced the jo y o f a new victorious life! The Scriptures state “ But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up m ire and dirt. There is no peace, saith m y God, to the wicked” (Isa. 57:20, 21). In contrast, the condition o f the true believer is de­ scribed: “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound m ind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Questions Children Ask Q. M y w ife and I have a boy five years old. Lately he has been asking us “ where babies come from .” A l­

though we have told him some things, we don’t know just what or how much to say. Can you suggest a good Christian book along this line? Neither m y w ife nor I received much help when we were kids, and we’d like to avoid making the same mistake with our own child. A. This is a common problem. A natural phase of child-growth and development is that of becoming curious about one’s body and about the origin of human beings. A t the age of two or three, children make many observations. Nearly all chil­ dren are certain to begin to ask questions as early as three-and-one- half years and not later than five or six. Parents should be ready to an­ swer their questions intelligently rather than evade them. This helps children gain confidence in parents, and to develop wholesome attitudes. It also helps them spiritually. Chil­ dren should know and feel that Christ who forgives and saves is in ­ terested in their personal lives . . . that to the believer there is no dich­ otomy between the secular and the sacred, that everything is sacred. I do not know of many good books along this line with a Christian point of view. It is suggested that when children raise questions they should be an­ swered frankly and briefly. Small children do not desire a detailed scientific explanation. More impor­ tant to the child is the happy, posi­ tive and encouraging w ay in which a question is answered. In discuss­ ing matters pertaining to personal growth and development it is better to use correct terms which can grow with the child. Discussions of this nature are natural and normal for children. W e should not make them otherwise. Dr. Narramore will be one of the conference speakers during BIOLA Week at Mount Hermon, California, this summer. The dates are August 9-16. Write directly to the Mount Hermon Conference, Mount Hermon, for reservations.

DR. NARRAMORE Phobias

Q. W ou ld you please discuss the problem of phobias? Just what causes them, and how can a person overcome a phobia. A. The term phobia is ordinarily applied to persistent unwarranted fears. The person is aware of the unreasonableness of his emotion, but is helpless to control it. The phobia involves two factors, fear, and a resulting compulsive behav­ ior. Some of the common phobias are: Fear of open spaces (agoraphobia); Fear of being shut in or isolated (claustrophia) ; Fear of pointed ob­ jects ( a i c h m o p h o b i a ) ; Fear of blushing (erythrophobia) ; Fear of dirt and eventual infection (myso- phob ia); Fear of being afraid of something (phobophobia). Phobias are rare before adoles­ cence. They develop most frequent­ ly in children who are timid, con­ scientious, and painstaking. Be­ cause of his fear, the child feels himself different and less worthy and is apt to withdraw from com­ panionship with other children. M any of the phobias are mild and transient, but more severe psy­ chotic conditions may d e v e l o p . Treatment consists of correction of defects in the environment of the child, helping him to make social contacts, allowing him to talk freely about his difficulties, and giving him intelligent, sympathetic under­ standing. Definition Q. What is meant b y manic-de­ pressive?

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THE KING'S BUSINESS

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