By Dr. David Coats
In my first post (Understanding and Responding to Psychological Labels [Part 1]) I tried to give a brief, historical overview of the DSMs (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) categories so that we would understand why and how psychological labels came to be a “normal” part of our society.
Theoretical Background. What we have to remember about this historical process of categorization is the grounding in the developing psychologies of the day. Summarily, the psychoanalysis of Freud, Adler, and other contemporaries; the humanistic approach of Rogers, Maslow, and the “Third Force” group; and finally the behaviorism of Pavlov, Skinner, and other contemporaries are behind the underlying process of describing people’s problems and people’s behaviors with labels. And why should this group be of concern to us? Mainly, the psychologists listed above do not have a biblical view of people’s origins or a medical explanation of people’s behaviors. The diagnoses come from the symptoms that people describe to the psychiatrists.
It makes sense that scientists, who study animals in labs to determine how those animals respond to drugs and the results of the drugs, make determinations regarding humans since they believe man is simply another animal on this earth. But if you believe God created mankind and womankind in His “image” or likeness so that humans could know, worship, and serve God, then this biblical worldview changes everything when it comes to assessing human’s behaviors and problems. The biblical explanation of man and woman as physical and spiritual beings with the inner soul driven by spiritual desires completely transforms our approach to helping people. Yes, I realize this is a simplistic beginning, but we must start here if we are to help people biblically. What you should ask yourself is this: What basis do these professional psychologists have in telling us what is normal or abnormal? What moral or theological compass drives their assessment? Let’s take an honest look:
Motives. I will make a comment here about two groups that are involved with the psychological labels. The first group is those who are the therapists (many coming from a Darwinian philosophical mooring) trying to treat people with the labels. I believe these people, for the most part, are compassionate and interested in helping others because people’s problems are too difficult to undertake just for the sake of money. The second group is represented by all those who are involved in research and in the development of the drug industry related to the addressing of the behaviors behind the labels. Suffice it to say that I do not trust the motives of the latter. And yes, we are talking BIG money (One in five Americans as of 2010 take psychiatric medications Medscape.com.)
Biblical labels and descriptions–a theological compass. I would like to suggest an analytical look at the behaviors listed for each label; then as you unpack what is going on in someone’s heart and soul, try to find biblical ways of describing the behaviors instead of describing those behaviors with psychological labels. Basically, the label becomes their identity rather than hope in Christ’s sufficiency.
Let’s look at a few examples of biblical terminology vs. labeling: (I have modified the following descriptive terms from Garrett Higbee of Biblical Soul Care, Harvest Bible Chapel.)
Impulsive (descriptive, biblical terminology #1): impatient, lacks self-control (easily distracted), foolish and immature (childish traits), irresponsible, discontent, driven by temporal desires or pleasures and feelings, lacking eternal or long-term perspectives (the Bible addresses all of these traits.)
Instead of biblical terminology, the psychological labeling takes place:
- ADHD [careless, does not finish tasks, does not work at things he or she does not like, struggles in tasks of organization, distracted]
- Manic part of Bipolar [inflated esteem of self, distracted, insomnia, talkative]
- OCD [compulsive behaviors: must do these things to feel better]
- Kleptomania [recurrent desire to steal objects with no motivation other than the pleasure and feeling resulting from the act]
- Pyromania [recurrent desire to deliberately start fires; a fascination with fire and enjoying the thrill of setting fires]
- Alcoholic [pattern of abuse of alcohol]
- Eating disorder [binge-eating and purging]
Disruptive/Destructive (descriptive, biblical terminology #2): lying, angry, yelling, swearing, bitter, careless, foolish, immature, hurtful, destructive to things and people, will not listen or obey, annoys others, unaware of others, repetitious behaviors in things they enjoy (the Bible addresses all of these traits.)
Instead of biblical terminology, the psychological labeling takes place:
- Conduct disorder [serious misbehavior, aggressive behavior against people, animals, property, threatens, deceitful, disobedient or dishonest]
- Oppositional defiant disorder [angry, argues, defies authority, blames others, resentful]
- ADHD [lacks concern for others, won’t sit still during instruction, talks out without permission]
- Autistic disorder [impairment in development and understanding of self and others]
- Tic disorder [vocal or motor tics; sudden or recurrent]
Depressive (descriptive, biblical terminology #3): emotion-driven rather than truth-driven, feelings-centered, covetous, discontent, ungrateful, unforgiving, self-love, self-centered, self-pity, complacency, slothful/lazy, procrastination (a form of foolish, temporal behavior), financially foolish, temporal values unfulfilled, comparing self to others. Possible physical changes with which the individual allows these physical changes to dominate life patterns and choices (the Bible addresses all of these traits.)
Instead of biblical terminology, the psychological labeling takes place:
- Depression [depressed mood most of the day, lack interest in life, lack pleasure or drive in life, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, “dark cloud” that envelopes life, excessive sleep and lack of desire to get up]
- Depressive side of Bipolar [similar to above]
Apprehensive (descriptive, biblical terminology #4): anxious, fearful, self-reliant, covetous, fear of _____. Trust in _____ (instead of God). Failures in the past. Hurt and sin against them in the past. Unresolved relationships. Wrong goals and values. Potential fear of exposure of hypocrisy. Unable to live up to expectation of others or self, thus approval issues. Cannot control life, people, and events. Lacking trust in God in the immediate situation. Poor view of God in how they function. Unbiblical lifestyle exposed. Unwilling to clear conscience with God or man. Goals of security and safety are predominant (the Bible addresses all of these traits.)
Instead of biblical terminology, the psychological labeling takes place:
- Obsessive part of OCD [persistent thoughts that are distressing, often related to fears about things that have taken place or that they think might take place]
- Anxiety disorders or attacks [physical symptoms related to anxiety, agoraphobia and the behaviors of avoidance or control]
- PTSD [not just for military but for anyone who has gone through a traumatic event]
The circular reasoning (logical fallacy) involved in psychological labeling occurs like this:
Doctor: “What is your problem?”
Patient: “I am severely anxious out in public.”
Doctor: “So you are agoraphobic.”
Patient’s Mother: “What does that mean?”
Doctor: “It means this patient is severely anxious in public.”
Biblical reasoning arrives at a different conclusion like this:
Counselor: “What is your problem?”
Counselee: “I am severely anxious out in public.”
Counselor: “Tell me more about why, when, and how, your anxiety began. I believe the Bible talks about anxiety regardless of where and when it happens.”
Counselee: “Where is my hope of change?”
Counselor: “God gives us specific answers and great hope in Christ, who knows our anxieties and fears because He knows us inside and out.”
Obviously, this is an oversimplification of what actually differentiates the circular reasoning of labeling from biblical counseling. But we hope you get the point.
