WE ARE NOT OK

MENTAL ILLNESS = a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning and often results in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Quick Recap:
- ~25% of US adults experience a diagnosable disorder in a given year
- half of all cases originate before age 14; 75% of cases before age 24
- ~17% of US adults experience major depressive disorder in their lifetime
- ~18% of US adults are affected by anxiety disorders
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THE TRUTH

TRUTH #12
Your now is not your forever.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
–Romans 8:18

TRUTH #13
You don’t have to be “strong enough.”

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:9

TRUTH #14
God has given you the resources you need.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
– 2 Timothy 1:7

His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness…
– 2 Peter 1:3
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ADHD
(Sabotaging My Best Intentions)

QUICK FACTS
- About 11% of children age 3-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD

- Symptoms usually begin before age 6 and is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls

- There is a strong genetic component, but environment also plays a role

- These disorders are caused by over- or under-activation of certain brain structures and a decrease of certain neurotransmitters.

- Increased chance of other disorders like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, Autism, or behavioral disorders

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE CONFUSING

Dysregulation of Executive Function
- negatively affects attention, concentration, memory, motivation and effort, learning from mistakes, impulsivity, hyperactivity, organization, and social skills

Brook Hazelgrove:
"There isn’t always enough fuel in an ADHD brain for making decisions, carrying out tasks or keeping your emotions in check. Furthermore, the difficulty with choosing what you’ll focus on can make it difficult to use this fuel “responsibly” (that is, exclusively on “important” things). The result is impulsive behaviour and decision paralysis, unfinished tasks, last-minute everything (no matter how hard you plan), and intense emotional responses to things."

Different Types of ADHD
1) Inattentive: difficulty planning or completing a task, following directions or discussions, or following instructions; can also get easily distracted or forget the specifics of daily routines

2) Hyperactive: tend to talk a lot, often interrupting others, unable to wait their turn, or speaking at inappropriate times; fidget, grab things from people, and have difficulty sitting still for long periods; feel restless and can act impulsively

3) Combined: demonstrate symptoms from both inattentive and hyperactive ADHD

We Need Our ADHD Friends
- Pattern recognition
- Vibe Check - trust their judgment of character / situation
- Creative, outside-the-box thinking
- Hyperfocus - clutch under pressure
- Loyal - ride or die (you just may need to remind them you exist...)

FINDING HEALING

MIND: For most people, a combination of therapy and medication works best. It will take time to find the right treatment.

BODY: Exercise, a healthy diet, and proper sleep will aid you on your healing journey.

SPIRIT: Lean in to the creative work of the Spirit, find ways to worship through all of your senses (start with the Gospel of Mark)

RELATIONSHIPS: Remember that people love you and accept you just the way you are. Keep reminders of those people around you.
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*From readers of ADDitudeMag.com

"In trying times, it’s our faith that God has a plan for us that keeps things in perspective. Adults and children with ADHD have many gifts that can bless others."

"My faith strengthens my ability to deal with everything, including my inattentive ADHD. I ask God several times a day to keep me focused and on track with my daily activities. When I sit down to read my Bible or listen to a sermon, my mind runs down little “bunny trails” that are opened up by what is being said or what I am reading."

"One of my daughter’s favorite thoughts about her ADHD is that God does not make mistakes. He has a very special plan for her in life."

"The Serenity Prayer keeps things in perspective in dealing with my ADHD. Recognizing that some things are beyond my control helps me calm down – and when I’m calmer, I manage my symptoms better. I also say to myself, “This too shall pass.” Things might suck today, but there is a chance that they will be better tomorrow."

"ADHD has always set me apart from others, but my faith keeps me anchored in the knowledge that, even if no one else understands me, God does."

"Although ADHD sometimes keeps me from staying on track according to my time line, I may be right on time on God’s time line."
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TRUTH #15
Just because you don’t “fit” someone else’s expectations doesn’t mean God is mad at you.

GOING DEEPER | Study & Discussion Questions

1. Which one of these TRUTHS did you need to hear today? Why does that resonate with you?

2. Why do you think children (and adults) with ADHD might struggle to fit the expectations of our culture? What could we do to help change that?

3. Why do you think God allows some brains to work differently from others? What can we learn from those with ADHD? What gift(s) can they bring to the church? How do they benefit the Kingdom?

4. Why might the typical advice of routine prayer, daily Bible reading, and self-discipline backfire for certain people? What sorts of activities can help those with ADHD grow spiritually?

5. Read Romans 7:14 – 8:1 again. How can this passage help us understand the struggle of ADHD and also offer hope to those who are affected?

ONE (MORE) CHALLENGE
one small step of discipleship every week
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Read one PSALM each day and meditate on it.