Mike Emlet, an expert on living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, discusses the prevalence, misconceptions, and key features of OCD. He explores the connection between compulsions and obsessive anxiety, the goal of becoming more like Christ while relieving suffering, and effective ways to care for individuals with OCD. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of understanding, patient listening, and applying scripture to suffering. Helpful resources for OCD strugglers are also discussed.
OCD involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, with themes including contamination fears and desires for symmetry or exactness.
In ministering to individuals with OCD, the focus should be on orienting trust towards God and providing practical support through refraining from compulsive behaviors and seeking reassurance from God.
Intrusive thoughts do not necessarily reflect a person's true desires and should be distinguished from genuine temptations, helping to alleviate unnecessary fear and misunderstanding.
Deep dives
Understanding OCD and its Diagnostic Criteria
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a clinical diagnosis characterized by intrusive and obsessive thoughts that are associated with high levels of anxiety. These thoughts often lead to compulsive behaviors or mental rituals in an attempt to reduce anxiety. OCD is commonly misunderstood and casually used in conversation. However, it is important to recognize that OCD is a real and challenging mental health condition that affects people's daily lives.
Common Themes and Types in OCD
Obsessions and compulsions in OCD can vary, but some common themes include contamination fears, aggressive or horrific impulses, excessive doubting, desires for symmetry or exactness, and sexual thoughts or images. Compulsions often involve repetitive behaviors such as checking, washing, or seeking reassurance. Furthermore, there is a subtype called scrupulosity, which specifically relates to religious forms of OCD. It is important to understand these different themes and types to provide effective support and guidance for individuals struggling with OCD.
Repentance, Trust, and Practical Support in OCD
When ministering to individuals with OCD, the goal is not simply to eliminate the struggle, but rather to orient their trust towards God in the midst of their suffering. Repentance is characterized by turning away from false views of God and embracing trust in His sovereignty and care. Practical support can involve refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors, seeking guidance from specific Psalms that emphasize God's knowledge and presence, and encouraging a shift from seeking reassurance from others to seeking ultimate reassurance from God. It is important to remember that serving and showing love to individuals struggling with OCD goes beyond just talking or counseling, but also involves practical acts of compassion and understanding.
Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts should not always be equated with the true desires of one's heart. While our thoughts often reflect the state of our hearts, intrusive thoughts are not necessarily reflective of our true intentions. It is important to distinguish between intrusive thoughts and genuine temptations. Intrusive thoughts may stem from various sources such as neurochemistry or spiritual warfare, but they do not indicate a person's true desires. Acknowledging this distinction can help prevent unnecessary fear and misunderstanding when it comes to intrusive thoughts.
Helping Those with OCD
When counseling individuals with OCD, approaching them as sufferers is crucial. The ministry priorities outlined in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 — admonishing the unruly, encouraging the faint-hearted, helping the weak, and exercising patience — should guide how we engage with them. Congregating biblical truth with practical faith-building exercises is an effective approach. Gradually exposing individuals to their fears and accompanying them through the process can lead to growth and trust in the Lord. Additionally, utilizing resources like Ian Osborne's book 'Can Christianity Cure Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder' and articles from the Journal of Biblical Counseling can provide further insight and perspective.
In this episode of The Messy Podcast, Scott Mehl interviews Mike Emlet on living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Sponsored by Eternity Bible College: https://www.eternity.edu
Resources:
OCD: Freedom for the Obsessive-Compulsive (Resources for Changing Lives) by Michael R. Emlet,
https://www.amazon.com/OCD-Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Resources-Changing/dp/0875526985
CCEF resources on OCD
https://www.ccef.org/topic/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
Scrupulosity: When Doubts Devour by Michael R. Emlet,
https://www.walesleadershipforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Scrupulosity-When-Doubts-Devour.pdf
Can Christianity Cure Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?: A Psychiatrist Explores the Role of Faith in Treatment by Ian Osborn,
https://www.amazon.com/Can-Christianity-Cure-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder/dp/1587432064
OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual by John S. March and Karen Mulle,
https://www.amazon.com/OCD-Children-Adolescents-Cognitive-Behavioral-Treatment/dp/1572302429
For counselors:
Biblical Counseling Coalition resources on OCD
https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/tag/ocd/
Counseling the Hard Cases: True Stories Illustrating the Sufficiency of God's Resources in Scripture (“Brian” and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Steve Viars),
https://www.amazon.com/Counseling-Hard-Cases-Illustrating-Sufficiency/dp/1433685795
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