5 Aug, 2010
Mental Health Experts Ask: Will Anyone Be Normal?
Leading mental health experts gave a briefing on Tuesday to warn that a new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is being revised now for publication in 2013, could devalue the seriousness of mental illness and label almost everyone as having some kind of disorder. Citing examples of new additions like "mild anxiety depression," "psychosis risk syndrome," and "temper dysregulation disorder," they said many people previously seen as perfectly healthy could in future be told they are ill. "It's leaking into normality. It is shrinking the pool of what is normal to a puddle," said Til Wykes of the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London. The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It is seen as the global diagnostic bible for the field of mental health medicine. The criteria are designed to provide clear definitions for professionals who treat patients with mental disorders, and for researchers and pharmaceutical drug companies seeking to develop new ways of treating them. Wykes and colleagues Felicity Callard, also of Kings' Institute of Psychiatry, and Nick Craddock of Cardiff University's department of psychological medicine and neurology, said many in the psychiatric community are worried that the further the guidelines are expanded, the more likely it will become that nobody will be classed as normal any more.
Story and Photo taken from: http://www.reuters.com
Read: Romans 6:6,7
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:8
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
What does it mean to be normal? In today's world (as our story points out), we are increasingly moving to classifying everything as a disease or disorder. It becomes very difficult to decipher what exactly is normal anymore. When we feel depressed does that mean we have a depressive personality? When we spend too much money, are we a shopaholic? The list can go on and on.
What is clear in today's Scripture is that Paul discusses sin (not disorders) as our biggest obstacle to a life with God. According to the Scriptures, we "all" miss the mark in some way. What Paul discusses as Normal (to be expected) is that sin is not to have any power over us. But of course, it often does. Sin is a conscious decision to do things our way. It is also a culture that surrounds us and influences with activities that are clearly apart from God.
To be a normal Christian is to do battle with sin on a daily basis. We must put these sins to death and believe me that doesn't feel very good. Dying with Christ brings our hearts and minds in line with His and allows Him to work in us. The Normal Christian Life.
What do you think a normal Christian should look like? What is your first response when tempted to sin?
Realize doing battle with sin is normal for the Christian. When you feel like going down a clearly wrong road, remember this Scripture and present yourself to God. It probably won't feel very good because we are dying to our old way of thinking and trying to put on Christ's way.
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