Impossible Patient?

Volume 24, Number 2 April-June 2007

Editorial
A Tough Question about Mental Illness by Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner
Through her editorial, Schoonover-Shoffner helps readers wrestle with a tough question: Does sin have anything to do with mental illness? Secular psychology and Scripture have differing views. What is one to think?

Impossible Patient? It May Be Borderline Personality Disorder by Diane Elliott-Lee
Learn about borderline traits and biblical principles for patient management. Borderline Behavior Management Protocol and diagnostic criteria is provided with the article. CE is available with the article.

Religion and Mental Illness: Safe Spirituality or Risky Religious Intervention? A JCN Resource Article
Research regarding the role of religion and mental illness is outlined. Important considerations for relating to those with mental illness are provided in this JCN Resource article. CE is available with this article.

Good Spiritual Care: Befriending the Mentally Ill by Ada Scharf
Sidebar material illustrates one nurse's friendship with two mentally ill women. Scharf offers helpful insight into spiritual care for the mentally ill.

Even Christian Women Get Depressed: How Can We Help? by Debi A. Schuhow
Christian women often face double trouble when dealing with depression. How does a perceived disconnect from God affect depression? Signs, symptoms, treatment, and practical interventions are offered.

Compassion or Pity? by Kristene Diggins
Diggins writes, "How often in my nursing career has compassion turned to pity?" In her reflective style Diggins causes nurses to grabble with the issue of compassion or pity.

Something More: Presence in Nursing Practice by Amy Rex Smith
Presence, a vital nursing intervention, is related to the practice of Spiritual Direction. A short history of spiritual direction and practical aspects are offered in this thoughtful article. Learn how presence affects healing.

Research
Are We Speaking the Same Language? Laura Castaneda, Brian Habert, Pam Witt, Dawn Younker, Nancy Crigger
Working from the love languages theory of Christian psychologist Gary Chapman, the authors consider whether people also have a primary caring language. How love and caring languages relate is discussed in this research article.

The Last Resort? by Patricia Hammond
While caring for a dying woman, Hammond realizes that she sometimes turns to Jesus as a last resort. Her story may give you reason to ask hard questions of how you view Jesus in your nursing practice.

Missions
Cultural Sensitivity: Beyond First Impressions by Linda S. Johanson
The author learns three important insights to increase her cultural sensitivity and make her a better nurse at home or on a mission trip.

Called to Teach
Dew Drops and Gentle Rain by Sharon Fish Mooney
Guest column author Sharon Fish Mooney looks at the words Moses spoke as noted in Deuteronomy 32:2, "May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew. . . ." Mooney challenges educators to use clear, firm, and gentle teaching.

Christian Ethics
A Pain Scale from Scripture by Susan Anthony Salladay
What constitutes best practice when a patient suffers from spiritual distress and mental illness? Salladay gives us a glimpse based on a personal experience.

Practicing
An Unexpected Easter Blessing by Bonnie Reynolds
Reynolds, an emergency room nurse, packs Easter baskets for her colleagues to enjoy. The baskets ultimate serves as a blessing to a mother and her young children. Reynolds encourages nurses to be mindful of where God is at work in their nursing situations.

FAQs in Spiritual Care
Is Forgiveness Important in Spiritual Care? by Mary T. Sweat
Following up on the Christian Ethics column, A Pain Scale from Scripture, Sweat discusses the role forgives or lack of forgiveness plays in illness.

Resources
Faith and Mental Health, Faith Community Nursing, Becoming a Forgiving Person

PulseBeats
Suicide risk of antidepressants, impact of congregational health ministry, diagnosing employee satisfaction