Orland Evangelical Free Church | Emotional Stress: Where Do You Turn?

During a particularly difficult emotional period I remember riding with another driver who was speeding and drinking beer as we traveled home. What stands out in my memory is not that I was afraid that we might be killed in an accident, but that I truly did not care if that happened. I welcomed the prospect of relief from ongoing depression.

Ultimately, I turned to Psychiatry in hope of discovering how to come to grips with my problems. I wanted to find out how to overcome feelings of abandonment and loss that were the result of repeated beatings in infancy and being taken from my family via the adoption process.

This Fall I've asked various people where they turn when confronted with the same kinds of personal problems. Following is a sample of their responses.

What would you do if you were experiencing personal problems?

"I would talk to my spouse about it and pray for guidance." "Talk to friends and co-workers. Explain the problem and ask for advice. Find out what they would do if faced with the same problem." "Talk about my problems with my family and close friends." "Seek out and read self-help books and articles."

Have you or someone you know had emotional or relational difficulties and if yes, what kind?

"Depression, anxiety and marriage problems. Problems such as divorce or contemplated divorce." "Marriage, boy/girl and family problems." "Anxiety, depression and feelings of worthlessness." "Severe depression and anxiety. Marital problems."

If these folks sought help, where did they go?

"To a Counselor or Doctor." "To a Psychiatrist and Marriage and Family Therapist." "Pastor, Psychologist, Marriage Counselor or just go for a walk to think about things." "Secular and drug therapy." "Professional Counselors, Physicians or just confided in their families and tried to deal with the problem on their own."

Where would you go if you had chosen differently?

"For more serious problems I might go to counseling. I try to pray about problems but I feel guilty for only praying when I am experiencing something difficult or when I need help." "Prayer." "If I felt it was more than I could handle I would have gotten professional help - A Counselor or Doctor." "I'm not sure, but I do think I would try to discover a different strategy, something that I could use every day."

People seek help from many sources. My Psychiatric sessions consisted of me jabbering on about whatever popped into my mind, the Psychiatrist jotting this stuff down and anti-depressant drug therapy, (which produced its own set of problems). After a few months of this, I quit attending the sessions and taking the drugs. It seemed to me to be a colossal waste of time.