When one faces a problem, many times it is easy to think through it or overcome it through logic, common sense, and prayer. But with the overwhelming frustration of mental illnesses, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder or schizophrenia, that process of overcoming problems is not easy. Thinking under the influence of mental illness defies logic and the diseased thoughts act as an undercurrent, dragging the thinker to chaos. These thoughts may be categorized into three groups: those based in truth, but applied incorrectly; those based on bad experiences and bad expectations; and those based on good experiences which may lead to grandiose expectations.
One example of a misapplied truth occurred after I had read about Hitler burning bodies in a mental hospital. A couple months later while I was in the hospital in Pennsylvania, I had a tremendous fear that the hospital was going to burn down and I was going to die if I was not allowed to go home with my parents. Of course the hospital was not run by Hitler, but in my mind it was, and I had great reason to fear. At that time I needed the counsel of my parents that I was safe.
Thoughts based on bad experiences can lead to generalities that are also not true. For example, after my boyfriend broke up with me and I lost my full time teaching position at public high school, I became convinced I was a loser overall. These lies were difficult to overcome and warped my view of my potential. The disease and depressed thoughts made it difficult to live from day to day. When my psychiatrist told me I lost my job because of my disorder, and not because I was a loser, I was still not completely comforted. I needed goals to help me face my disorder, such as reading a chapter of a favorite book for enjoyment or getting ready to drive again.
Even good things in life can bring disastrous results. After I had graduated with honors from both college and graduate school, I believed I deserved the best job. When I received the “dream position” of teaching gifted students, I thought everything in my life was perfect. When situations grew out of my control the following August, my thoughts digressed from my problems at school to the delusion that I was chosen by God to bring Joy into the world. I erroneously believed that it was the day of Pentecost, and when I called my mom, she could tell I was not all right. I needed professional psychiatric help.
The patterns of thinking of the diseased mind do not follow logic, but they can be helped. First, counsel that focuses on what is true follows the principle of Philippians 4: 8 (Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on such things.) (NIV) Second, it is important to avoid negative (and even positive) generalities that work against or focus too much on the person’s self- worth (Example: you’re are bad/good person). Third expectations need to be replaced with achievable goals. One goal may be to adjust to living with the illness by taking the prescribed medication every day. Another may be to keep a gratitude journal. These steps are part of overcoming thoughts that undermine mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery.
