talking it over with 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 systems in the United States. WILD WOMEN?
to be left alone and pray that God will use you to reach her at a later date. The best way to help her now is to send her literature by mail. Perhaps your pastor or Sunday School super intendent could suggest some valuable reading material. ADOLESCENCE Question: W e have a 12 -yea r-old daughter who is very moody. One minute she seems to be up in the clouds; the next she is down in the dumps. I am really worried about her. Do you think she is mentally unbalanced? Answer: No, I seriously doubt that she is mentally unbalanced. She has probably reached the age when her body is changing from that of a child to a young woman. This period of rapid growth is ac companied by glandular changes which sometimes cause moodiness of greater or lesser intensity. In fact it is unusual for boys and girls entering adolescence not to be moody. This is especially true of girls the age of your own daughter because they develop as much as two years earlier than boys the same age. Accept her actions as a part of nor mal development, ignoring her ups and downs. It will do very little good to criticize her. Treat her in a kindly Christian manner, no matter what her mood may be and you will no doubt find in a year or two that she will have gained her emotional equili- "brium. At this age especially, a firm belief in Christ will help her more than anything else. An abiding faith in God will give her poise and stability. She can always depend on God. Few of us realize how the dynamic Christian life meets the basic psycho logical needs of all human beings.
sessions with a psychologist or psy chiatrist. You and your wife should perhaps meet with the therapist to gain a better understanding of the causes and solutions. If the difficulty is neurological, a neurologist or psychiatrist will order an electroencephalogram (brain wave test) to determine the nature and extent of the impairment. This will undoubtedly be followed by medica tion and counseling sessions. In summary, what your boy most needs is professional diagnosis. Then intelligent suggestions can be given. MEMBER ON SIT-DOWN STRIKE Question: / am an Adult Sunday School teacher. The members in my class are all older people. I have a widow lady in my class who is giving the pastor and me, as w ell as the others, a great deal of concern. In the past, we have picked her up on Sunday mornings and brought her to Sunday School and church. W e also brought her home. But in spite of all we do, she has gone on a sit-down strike and w ill not come to Sunday School or church with us or with any one else. W e go to call on her and she w ill invariably have a note pinned on the door, “Sorry, but cannot be seen this morning .” 7 am concerned about her and would like your counsel on what I can do that we might gain her confidence. Answer: Your work as a Sunday School teacher is very important, and I am glad you have written about this prob lem. I can understand your concern for this lady who refuses to see you. However, there are definite reasons why she does not want to be disturbed. I can well imagine that you would be surprised if you knew all of the facts of the case. But since you do not, you must be content to respect her desire
Question: W hile in the hospital a cou ple of months ago, one of my con sultants suggested that it might be helpful for me to sit down and have a good talk with a psychiatrist. I have always been afraid of them, and I thought only wild women should see them. But I guess I am wrong oh this. Do you think a Chris tian girl should go to a psychiatrist? I would appreciate your opinion. Answer: May I assure you that many people other than “wild women” re ceive help from psychologists and psychiatrists. In fact, most people who receive psychological and psy chiatric help are healthy, normal people who have problems for which they are seeking solutions. There is no reason why you should not seek the services of a Christian psychiatrist. He will help you to diagnose the causes of your difficulty, then set up a number of counseling sessions to bring about new attitudes and feelings. This may be the way God will bring you help. As you know, He uses people to help people. OUR BOY SETS FIRES Question: 7 would like your advice about a boy who is always involved in an action of destruction such as setting fires or letting the cattle out of the field and watching them run. Is there some legitimate activity he could do to give vent to his feelings? He is our own son. Answer: Such behavior usually repre sents a serious personality disturb ance. This is his way of telling the world that he is emotionally ill and needs psychological help. You will be wise to seek professional diagnosis. If the trouble is psychological in nature the boy will respond to counseling
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JULY, 1961
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