ADHD of the Christian Kind - ADHD, Depression & Anxiety: Is it a Heart Problem?

ADHD, Depression, Anxiety: Is it a Heart Problem?

I have been a Christian for 20 years. I was discipled, trained, and taught the ways of the Lord from day one. Throughout all my years of walking with the Lord, He has set me free from much. I believe the Word of God teaches that Christians can be delivered and set free from that which they are bound. [Isaiah 61:1] As a matter of fact, I believe we should seek deliverance and freedom from the chains that bind us. I do not believe that this happens all at once and instantaneously upon conversion (repentance or turning away from all sinful practices, receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Him). But there are a few challenges in my life from which I have not been delivered: ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorder.

From the time I was a young Christian I read Christian authors on the subject of depression (I didn't even know what ADHD was at that time), poured over the Word of God, confessing, believing, waiting for deliverance. I did receive reprieves, but I was never delivered. I learned to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, but, like Paul, I had a thorn in my flesh that was not going away.

There are times when I do better than others. When I am faithful to study the Word more, worship the Lord in my home, pray, cry out for strength, and trust in Him for each day I am more victorious. But I don't believe there is a fool-proof formula for freedom from ADHD, depression or anxiety. Sometimes I am doing everything right and I still struggle. As a matter of fact, there are Scriptural references to men of God experiencing depression in the midst of doing great things for the Lord and after a victory. [Judges 15:18, 1 Kings 19:3,4]

I do not believe my ADHD, depression, and anxiety are a result of a heart problem. The Lord does reveal heart problems, or dark areas, that must be dealt with from time to time, but the Lord heals me from one heart problem through confession, repentance and renewing my mind through the truth of the Word, only to have another area exposed: this is the ongoing process of sanctification. The ADHD, depression and anxiety remain.

I don't believe I can simply write an article sharing my own experiences and help everyone who suffers from these challenges. I can share my observations, how the Lord has helped me, and that I believe Christianity is a long, hard journey. Every Christian has challenges. Some are interpersonal, some are physical, some are emotional, and some are chemical. I believe that chronic ADHD, depression, and anxiety are physiological problems. I do not believe that chronic depression is a result of unconfessed sin. I do believe unconfessed sin can bring on depression, and we should continuously shine the light of the Word into our hearts for evaluation by the Lord, but what I am talking about is different.

Let's examine what professionals call ADHD, depression, and anxiety. They call them disorders. The prefix dis- means "lack or deprivation." So a literal definition of the word disorder is "lacking or deprived of order." The dictionary definition of disorder is "a lack of order or regular arrangement; an upset of health or functioning." Although the second definition is more accurate, and much kinder sounding, I would much rather believe that I have challenges.

Please excuse this poor analogy, but when someone is paralyzed from the waist down, do we just say they have a disorder or are they physically challenged? We say they are physically challenged. What is easy for most of us is a challenge for a paraplegic.

It is the same for those of us with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. What is easy for people who do not have these challenges can be very difficult for us. We are challenged in a hidden area. Someone cannot see that you might have a serious endocrine problem, low blood sugar, neurochemical deficiencies, or other problems. They can only see the symptoms of these problems: poor memory, difficulty keeping track of the many details of life, sleep problems, difficulty remembering appointments, problems with social skills, and difficulty meeting the needs of those who depend upon us. If chronic depression is part of the problem, sometimes we cannot even lift our own heads to pray.

Back to my flawed analogy: What if we only looked at the paraplegic's deficiencies? He cannot use the stairs. What if there were no elevators and he needed to get to work on the 5th floor? He misses work day after day because he cannot climb the stairs. Do we label him lazy? He cannot drive his car because it has neither a place for his wheelchair, nor hand controls for brake and accelerator control. We do not hold it against the paraplegic that he is challenged and must have accommodations made for him. We can see his area of challenge. He cannot use his legs, and must use a wheelchair. He needs a ramp to enter a building and an elevator to reach upper floors. Most paraplegics receive therapy, the tools needed to live an active, productive life, and ongoing support. Those of us with ADHD, depression and/or anxiety may need therapy, help finding the tools that can help us live responsible lives, and ongoing support and accountability.

As an ADHD adult, no one can see the noise in my head. No one can see that I don't have the same filters that most people have. I cannot filter out extraneous noise, ideas, thoughts, and stimuli. Actually, in my case, I have an additional challenge: Sensory Integration Dysfunction. My brain has difficulty filtering out irritating and uncomfortable stimuli. Clothes and jewelry bother me because I cannot filter out the sensory input on my skin. I hear every sound and feel all the energy in a place when I go shopping. I am aware of every person near me. The music playing in the background, voices, smells, and colors all send my system into overload. Most of my anxiety is derived from Sensory Integration Dysfunction. I get overstimulated and don't know how to deal with the resulting feelings.

I have also been diagnosed with glucose intolerance. This serious pre-diabetic condition derives from problems with the endocrine system. Blood sugar problems can cause a variety of problems including confusion, brain fog, irritability, depression, anxiety, and more. These are some of my unseen challenges.

Back to the ADHD itself. As a home keeper who does web development from my home, I find everyday life a challenge. Routine is the only structure in my life. I don't have an employer watching the clock, projects due at a certain time, and so on. I do have five children whom I homeschool, an entire house to manage and keep in order, and farm animals to care for. I have responsibilities within my local church and people who depend on me to be where I should be at certain times. I have the same demands on me and my time that most people have.

Although I suffer from periodic depression and anxiety in addition to the daily challenges of ADHD, I do manage relatively well with the help of the Lord. But no Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker am I. I had to finally give myself permission not to be the perfect wife, mom, and home keeper. There are those who keep a perfect home, but it might feel cold and there may be self-righteousness served along with that perfect meal. There are those who fail to keep their homes even moderately clean, and that can be just as uncomfortable, yet you will typically find humility in that home. My goal is to be more in the middle. It continues to be a challenge.

When I was diagnosed a few years ago with ADHD by a psychologist, she told me that I had great coping skills. Being ADHD herself, she could relate to my challenges. Those words of validation were like the balm of Gilead to me. I wasn't just deficient. I wasn't just a failure. There was a reason that I struggled so, and it was okay. I will now share some of my coping skills. But remember, my solutions might not be your solutions. Search for tools, force yourself into a routine, and be kind to yourself. Ask the Lord to help you learn to accept that you are different, that it is okay to be different, and to help you learn how to better manage your life so you can be available to serve Him.

Here is what I do to manage my challenges:

Planner: I keep a planner with monthly and weekly calendars, address book, and notes from church and work. I use a 8.5 x 5.5 size so it will fit in my purse or diaper bag. It goes with me when I leave the house, and must come back in when I get home (it is a common request of mine for one of the children to run out to the van and get my planner -- they always know right where it is). My planner is my lifeline to the outside world. A PDA (computerized data organizer) could meet this need.
Schedules and chore charts: I took the time to design and develop schedules, routines, and chore charts for my children. This is as much for me as it is for them. There is no arguing about who needs to do what. These resources are available online for free. See also Structure and Order for more ideas on managing a home with ADHD. Do the same for yourself. Make menus for a month, shopping lists, schedule monthly, season and annual chores with notations in your planner calendar. Keep a large, centralized family calendar where all appointments, activities, meetings, church responsibilities and meetings are recorded. Make it a habit of referring to this calendar before planning your week. All members of the family must learn to use this calendar for it to be effective.
Jesus is Lord of our Home: My husband and I read our Bibles and study the Word, sometimes diligently and sometimes sporadically, but it is a priority to us. We must have the Word ever before us, in our hearts, searching our very beings so we can be what the Lord wants us to be. [Hebrews 4:12-13] Life comes from the Lord; death reigns in our flesh. Sow to the spirit, and you will reap eternal life. Sow to the flesh, and you will reap destruction. [Galatians 6:7-8]

I lead our children in Bible study time each school day followed by a simple prayer time. This is done before we open any other books. I worship the Lord in front of my children, and often we have corporate worship in our home before Bible study. Children learn what is modeled, not just what they are told to do. You cannot fool your children. If Jesus isn't Lord of your life, then he won't be Lord in your home, and most likely, he won't be Lord in your children's lives, either.
Spiritual assessment: This might be the time to assess your own attitudes toward work, Bible study, prayer, worship, service among your brothers and sisters in the local church, your own appetites (movies, TV, books, computer games, eBay, work, and so on), and your own motivations. Get real with the Lord, and He will get real with you. Read and study 2 Corinthians 7:1, John 17:17, Ephesians 4:17-5:2 and Psalm 51:10-12. Ask Him to cleanse and purify you, and He will do just that. Open your heart to the Lord, and He will shine the Light in those dark places [John 1:1-18 and 1 John 1:5-10].
Draw near to others: [Acts 2:42] The Lord designed us to interact with and relate to other people. What happens when we are around others is that we are faced with ourselves as others see us, and, as painful as this can be, the Lord can then change us in ways that just won't happen if we stay aloof and apart from others. He places the lonely in families, but the rebellious live in a parched land. [Psalm 68:6] If you are not part of a local body of believers, then you are not where you need to be. No one can go it alone in the Kingdom of God.

Do be careful who you trust with your heart, though. Be very careful. Discretion is called for at all times. Find one or two trustworthy people to be close to. But do work alongside your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Do interact with them, care about them, care for them as needed, and serve the Lord with gladness even among those who won't always understand you. Jesus was misunderstood his entire life. He understands how it feels. When people react out of ignorance or self-righteousness, you must forgive them just as Jesus commands us. [Colossians 3:12-17]
Manage your own Health: You are ultimately responsible for your own health. You are responsible for what goes in your mouth, how much exercise you get, and your choice of healthcare providers. Do not blindly medicate, and do not blindly not medicate, especially out of fear. Explore, research, and empower yourself (I strongly dislike that term, but it seems to fit here) to make knowledgeable decisions about how to manage your ADHD, depression, anxiety, or whatever other challenges you face. Do not live in denial. Do not make excuses.

Medications: If you are not comfortable with the idea of taking anti-depressants for depression or anxiety or stimulants for ADHD, then find a natural physician, preferably an MD who practices natural medicine, or try a homeophathic practitioner. If you are fine with medications, start med trials after a complete physical examination with blood work. Be sure to ask to be screened for thyroid, blood sugar, and candida yeast problems before you fill that prescription for meds. See your physician every few weeks or months if necessary, and find a counselor to help you learn to find your own coping skills.

Diet: Avoid sugar, simple carbohydrates, and other empty calorie foods. Eat plenty of protein at every meal and preferably at snack time as well. Avoid artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and MSG. See the article Environmental Factors and ADHD for more info on diet and even cleansers, laundry soaps, and other environmental irritants.

Supplements: Consider taking essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive enzymes, and/or acidolpholous. If you are stressed and hyperactive, take calcium/magnesium/zinc along with Primrose Evening Oil, and drink calming herbal teas: lemon balm, catnip, and chamomile. I personally take chromium for blood sugar regulation, a natural thyroid med, and other supplements as needed (although it is so hard to be consistent with these as I just plain forget to take them).
Find support: I have several ADHD friends locally, and lots of ADHD friends online. My family physician is an herbalist, and she works with me to manage my challenges. I am connecting with my pastor and have church leaders who speak into my life.

Find help if you are not doing well. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, get help. If your spouse is at the end of his/her rope because you are driving them crazy, get help. Do not make excuses or live in denial. And do let your spouse know that you are taking responsibility for your challenges. You might have to do some serious apologizing if you have been a thorn in the side of others over the years. Humble yourself, reach out to others for help. Ask your pastor to hold you accountable to deal with your challenges. Begin seeing a psychologist (Christian, preferably) to help you work through the world of ADHD, depression or anxiety. Hire an ADHD coach if you can afford it. And be sure to join one of our email lists if you need support from others who face similar challenges. Do something.

I do not believe the existence of ADHD, chronic depression and/or anxiety in the life of a Christian are indications of a heart problem. I do not believe all difficulties and challenges are the result of sin (though they can be). The Word says that Jesus learned obedience through the things that he suffered. [Hebrews 5:8] Do we truly believe that we will not struggle, or suffer, to learn obedience?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance . . ." James 1:2-4

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

This article is written from my heart. There are answers and solutions to your problems and challenges. There are methods and tools available. You just have to find them. God's mercies are new every morning. Seek them. Seek Him. Pray, seek, assess, and act.

Submitted by Michele Haynes.