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shrink notes

« MICHAEL R. LYLES, M.D.

Lessons on Managing Suffering

W e are taught in medi cal school that there is a difference between disease and suffering. Disease is the physiological abnor mality to which we attach diagnostic labels. Suffering encompasses how the disease affects the lives of the patient and their family physically, spiritually, and psychologically. Suffering from mental illness can be incredibly impactful as we struggle to understand the meaning and pur pose of emotional trauma. Mental suffering tempts us to isolate our selves from sources of support out of stigma and fear of rejection. We are

tempted to put on masks of wellness that distract from the struggle that is real. Only a few will often see the true extent of the masked suffering. The journey of the biblical charac ter Job closely resembles the process of suffering in my patients. The fol lowing are some lessons for managing suffering learned from the life of Job. 1. Accept that suffering is an unavoidable part of life. It is a “we,” not “they,” experience. Job was not a special or unique person. He was just a guy who loved God and his family and had the respect of his communi ty—like many of us. Yet, he suffered immense emotional anguish—like

Mental suffering tempts us to isolate ourselves from sources of support out of stigma and fear of rejection. We are tempted to put on masks of wellness that distract from the struggle that is real.

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christian counseling today VOL. 28 NO. 1