There is nothing quite like mental distress to bring out the best (and the worst) in us. One of the virtues required is patience, of that I am sure. You have heard of "the patience of Job" in James 5, verse 11. He is my hero for many reasons, not least of which is patience or "bearing up under" adversity. I've put the phrase "bearing up under" in quotes because the Greek word for patience is hupo (under) and meno (to remain, to abide). We may not have a choice in being "under" the stressors of mental illness, but we can learn how to "abide" under them and survive, even thrive.
Where is patience called for in dealing with mental illness? A better question is, where is patience not called for? Let's begin with diagnosis. If you sought treatment, were quickly diagnosed, and found help right away, good for you! Count your blessings. You are an exception to the rule, or so I'm told. According to the "Bible," so to speak, of the American Psychiatric Association, there are no less than 157 individual mental health diagnoses. Ugh! Add to this the seemingly endless combinations of so-called "comorbid" conditions, and it's no wonder that diagnosis can be challenging. I was first diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), then insomnia, then seasonal affective disorder (SAD), then unipolar depression, then bipolar spectrum disorder, then finally bipolar II. (Which is distinct from bipolar I. Do a web search if you are curious.) That one "stuck" and appears to be the best description of my condition over the years. In all, the process took several years from first symptoms to what I call a healthy "goldilocks" state (not too cold, not too hot, just right). But don't panic! I'm probably on the high end timewise. So hang in there! Remember, hupomeno!
Patience is also required in finding the right professional help for a mental disorder. For example, my first psychiatrist misdiagnosed my condition, which ended up delaying my getting proper treatment. It was difficult, and time consuming, to research and transition to a new doctor. Then there is always what I call "turnover." That's when life changes call for a new doctor. Once my talk therapist retired from practice. Another time I moved to a different city and had to start over with new doctors. Again, patience is required. Hupomeno!
Then there is the patience required in psychiatric treatment. (I'm assuming you are open to such treatment if you are reading this. See my prior blogs: "To Medicate or Not to Medicate" and "Revisiting Medications.") It can take several weeks for psychiatric meds to take effect. If you are desperate for an immediate solution, having to wait weeks can be excruciating. Again, hang in there. Hupomeno!
In the end, I found light at the end of my tunnel. And there will be light at the end of yours. Meanwhile, lean into the character of God. In the same "hupomeno" verse, we hear about both "the purpose of the Lord" (He has a plan for you and what you are going through!) and "how the Lord is compassionate and merciful" Amen!
Blessings!
The Christian Bipole
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