The Christian and Mental Health: Is Remission Possible?

If you struggle with your mental health, you may have asked yourself, "Is remission possible?" My psychiatrist recently told me that I was in remission. I was dumbfounded, since I sure don't see myself as being in remission. If you feel the same way, read on.

It sounds just too good to be true--remission. AI (Google) tells us that remission in medical terms refers to a period when the signs and symptoms of a disease, such as cancer, improve or disappear. To me this sounds like returning to the state I had before my initial diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorder type II (BSD-II). It's now been more than a decade since my earliest symptoms. Is it possible to go back? To return to "normal?

If this means that signs and symptoms disappear, I am skeptical. And if it means that signs and symptoms improve such that medications are no longer needed, I am skeptical. (See several of my previous blogs justifying the use of medications for Christians, if needed.)

But let's search further. When I searched "if remission from mental illness is possible," AI came up with this: "Yes, remission from mental illness is possible, meaning that symptoms can significantly decrease to the point where they no longer significantly impact daily life, and individuals can experience periods of stability and well-being, even it they may still require ongoing management with therapy or medication." I've underlined the part about therapy and medication, since this is so often a sticking point.

I believe that I am indeed in remission, meaning that I have seen symptoms decrease to the point that they no longer significantly impact my daily life. I am stable. I am even happy. I would call what I am experiencing as being "euthymic" (psych-talk for a stable, normal state both mentally and emotionally, from Greek "eu"=good and "thymic"=soul or emotion). That's what we all want.

But some would argue that this is not true remission unless management with therapy or medication is no longer needed. But this makes no sense. Think about what is called adjuvant therapy for cancer. The cancer is in remission, but the adjuvant meds are meant to keep the cancer from coming back. I'm pretty sure those individuals would consider themselves in remission. But I'm also pretty sure they would be loathe to give up these proactive medications.

So there you have it. I definitely believe I am in BSD-remission. But at the same time, I have no attention to give up my "adjuvant" treatments of talk therapy, meditation (Christian mind-full-ness) and yes, medication. These help maintain normalcy and keep the "cancer" from coming back.

This kind of remission is definitely achievable, and I am evidence for it. Of course, ultimate meds-free remission will take place when Christ returns, or He takes me home. Think about that! Leaving these fallen bodies behind. Bring it on, Lord!

Blessings!

The Christian Bipole