We started recently a series on discovering exciting research
findings from Teleios! A list of our and others’ findings is on our website (www.teleiosresearch.com)
Anxiety is a very common condition and is often defined as intense,
excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations (1). Anxiety is most unpleasant! Further, this condition is associated with a higher
incidence of depression, suicide and substance abuse (2-4).
Fortunately, pharmaceutical treatments exist to help reduce
anxiety, as well as non-pharmaceutical based therapies such as: herbals,
meditation, yoga, psychological counseling, exercise, and refraining from
drugs/alcohol and healthy sleep habits (5-7).
In addition, religious-based activities have been shown to
alleviate stress and anxiety (8-11) and might be an important adjunct to other
therapies. We reviewed recently the medical literature to determine the effect
of religious practice on anxiety.
We found, in almost every study, that: religion in general,
religious training, spirituality, faith, prayer, and church-based social
support were associated with reduced anxiety (stress). In many instances
depression was helped as well. These effects were observed in both otherwise
healthy individuals and in various patient populations.
Importantly, the great majority of studies were performed in
historically Christian countries.
Why would religion, in this case in primarily Christian
countries, assist anxiety? The reasons are not known specifically, however, we
speculate the following:
· The belief in the care of an almighty God taking a personal
interest in a person’s psychological suffering (accessed through: prayer,
worship, and religious training) might give comfort and hope.
· God’s direct intervention to assist the condition.
· The hope of an eternal life that surpasses the suffering on
this earth might also give psychological comfort.
· Socialization with others of the same faith, inside or
outside a place of worship, might provide a distraction from a person's anxiety
as well as a reminder of their religion’s teachings.
Christianity is unique among religions in that it assures
access to God by faith alone in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross
(grace). In contrast, non-Christian religions, non-Bible believing
denominations, and Christian cults perceive access to God by a system of works
or a works/grace mixture. Such differences might make an important difference
in a person’s psychological health based on their perceived acceptance by God.
The medical literature tends not to differentiate religions,
or the extent of adherence to a particular religion, on the psychological
impact of the individual. Future research should explore different religious
tenants and their impact on mental health.
Our review suggests that religious practice and belief, as shown
primarily in Christian countries, may assist individuals suffering with
anxiety. Further research will hopefully provide better understanding of
religious practices across cultures to enhance how clinicians can use this
important aspect of patients’ lives to help treat their patients.
Thanks be to our glorious God that He has made
us in wisdom, cares for us and helps us with our infirmities. Thank you for joining me today and
come again next week as we continue the fruitful exploration of how Scripture
helps us.
WC Stewart
1.
Anxiety,
Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/basics/definition/con-20026282
2.
Beesdo
K et al. Incidence of social anxiety disorder and the consistent risk for
secondary depression in the first three decades of life. Arch Gen Psychiatry
2007;64:903-12.
3.
Gould
MS, et al. Psychopathology associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among
children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1998;37:915-23.
4.
Smith
JP, Book SW. Anxiety and substance use disorders: A review. Psychiatr Times
2008; 25:19-23.
5.
Sarris
J, et al. Complementary medicine,
exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: A
review of current evidence. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 809653.
6.
Bystritsky
A, et al. Current diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. P T
2013;38:30-8,41-4,57.
7.
Anxiety
Treatment, Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20024562
8. Hamilton JB, et al.
Reading The Bible for guidance, comfort, and strength during stressful life
events. Nurs Res 2013;62:178-84.
9. Krause N. Gratitude
toward God, stress, and health in late life. Res Aging,
2006;28:163-83.
10. Paukert AL, et al.
Integration of religion into cognitive-behavioral therapy for geriatric anxiety
and depression. J Psychiatr Pract 2009;15:103-12.
11.
Berry
D. Does religious psychotherapy improve anxiety and depression in religious
adults? A review of randomized controlled studies. Int J Psychiatr Nurs Res
2002;8:875-90.
Response policy - The purpose of the comment section is to promote discussion that
is encouraging, propels the further search of Scripture and raises interesting
and thought provoking Biblically related questions. You may feel free to
disagree with me in a constructive manner using appropriate language. I reserve
the right to remove your comments if they are profane, pornographic, libelous
or I do not consider them constructive or consistent with the policy
stated above. By posting you no longer own your comments and you are granting
me an unrestricted worldwide license to use your comments.
Copyright © 2016
Teleios, Inc. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment