Download - Mental Disorders & Our Ministries
The Reverend Dr.Kelly Murphy Mason,
Psy.D., M.Div., M.S., LCSW-QCSW:Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapist in Private Practice in NYC;
Community Minister in Metropolitan New York
Stressors/ = PsychologicalSupports Distress
Psychological Distress + X = Mental Disorder
(Clinical condition-Psychopathology)
Psychospiritual*
Sociocultural
Biophysical
Cognitive/Behavioral
Assessment accounts for multiple factors and is therefore “multiaxial”
Diagnosis is a medical term Diagnosis is both organized & coded in
the DSM, published by APA Psychiatrists provide medical
management for mental disorders, using prescription psychotropics in their pharmacotherapy
Developmental Disorders
Dementia Substance Abuse/
Dependence Schizophrenia &
Psychotic Disorders, inc. Paranoia
Dissociative Disorders Somataform Disorders
Eating Disorders Sleep Disorders Sexual/ Gender
Identity Disorders Personality Disorders Factitious Disorder Impulse Control
Disorders Adjustment Disorders Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders include: Panic; Phobia, including Social; OCD; PTSD; and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Mood Disorders include: Dysthymia, Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode or Recurrent; Bipolar Disorder; Mood Disorder due to…
Some disorders are self-limiting Episodic depression tends to worsen Self-esteem is often damaged Social isolation becomes problematic Neurovegetative symptoms are real Depression can be “masked”, esp. in
males, who are at higher risk for suicide Mania and psychosis sometimes figure in
the disorder
Depression & Anxiety-Spectrum Disorders frequently are comorbid, sometimes difficult to distinguish
Depression can be secondary to a general medical condition
Substance-induced mood disorders require dual diagnosis and specialized treatment
Alcohol Use Amphetamine Use Cocaine Use Hallucinogen Use Opioid Use Inhalant Use Cannabis Use
Sedative/Anxiolytic Use – the “iatrogenic effect”
Polysubstance Dependence
Substance Intoxication
Substance Withdrawal
Antidepressant SSRIs: Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.
Atypicals: Wellburtin & Effexor
Anxiolytics, inc. benzodiazapenes: Xanax, Ativan
Mood stablizers, eg. Lithium
Antipsychotics: Abilify, Zyprexa
Psychostimulants: Ritalin, Adderall
Sleep aids: Remeron
People often attempt to self-medicate with substances or self-soothe through the so-called “soft addictions” as a coping strategy
Some people may be higher functioning, others lower functioning
Some internalize, others externalize Some people are in an acute phase,
others in the management stage Many mental disorders go undiagnosed
Problems with primary support group, i.e., the family or marriage
Problems in the social environment Educational/Occupational problems Housing problems Economic problems Problems with health care
People may need to strengthen their relational skills and coping strategies, as well as adjust their mental schema
Good “hygiene” includes self-care honoring the mind-body-soul connection
Strong spiritual community & solid pastoral care can provide protective benefits
Preventative mental health care is optimal
People feel dignified by a holistic approach to themselves & their situations
A healthy congregation can be a therapeutic milieu
Preach compassion The faith community can work as a collective to
both destigmatize and normalize mental disorders
Psychoeducation can be a very important part of church programming & congregant learning
Social justice groups can advocate for mental health parity
Peer support and group work fill significant needs, especially if they are offered in a safe environment
Relational problems Possible abuse, history of abuse Spiritual or religious problems Bereavement or complicated grief Acculturation Phase of life problem
Interpersonal supports need to be enlisted
Psychotherapy is quite effective, both short- or long-term, and in combination with pharmacotherapy
Education and empowerment are linked in such treatments as bibliotherapy
Mental disorders tend to leave marks that last for a time…
Tend to your own mental health! Take good care of yourself…
Acquaint yourself with the spectrum of mental disorders
Know and respect your limits
Ministers and religious educators are not generally qualified as providers of mental health care and so must have an understanding of when professional mental health care is needed
Ideally, some sort of referral network is established before it is needed in a time of crisis
Certain conditions are chronic and not necessarily ever “cured”
Obsessive-Compulsive Personalities
Histrionic Personalities
Paranoid Personalities
Schizotypal Personalities
Dependent Personalities
Borderline Personalities
Avoidant Personalities
Narcissistic Personalities
Grossly disorganized behavior Delusions or hallucinations Indications of decompensation Suicidal statements, threats, or gestures Menacing actions Serious expressions of concern
Remember that mental disorders tend to have involved etiologies
Those struggling with mental disorders are much more than a coded diagnosis and may retain their signature strengths
Treatment outcomes for mental disorders continue to steadily improve, even in cases of recurrence
Eliminate us-and-them thinking, since lifetime prevalence is high
The Caring Congregations Program Online sources such as
www.mentalhealth.com Advocacy groups such as NAMI Public organizations such as NIMH Phone services like 1-800-LIFENET Local counseling centers and hospitals
Q: ?
A: “It depends…”