Elahe Hessamfar

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In the Fellowship of His Suffering: A Theological Interpretation of Mental Illness – A Focus on ”Schizophrenia”

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These are my reflections on those Scriptures that God has used to comfort me as I have travelled through the "valleys of Shadow of death." I am hoping that they will comfort those fellow-travelers who are going through the wilderness of life. At times, I will also write blogs relevant to mental illness, particularly as it relates to issues of faith, theology and community. All Scriptures used here will be from New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise specified.
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What if Some of Our Psychiatric Symptoms are Iatrogenic?

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Elahe Hessamfar

Illustration: Jon Han Many psychiatric treatments are iatrogenic, meaning the treatment itself creates new disordered symptoms. Unfortunately, not all physicians are familiar with all side effects of these drugs.  This is partially because pharmaceutical companies don't expose all side effects, ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Research Tagged: Akathisia, Antipsychotics, iatrogenic, psychiatric drugs, Schizophrenia, SSRI

A Theological Interpretation of the Language of Madness

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Elahe Hessamfar

I presented the following paper at the 20th international congress of International Society For Psychological And Social Approaches to Psychosis, in Liverpool , UK, on Sept. 2nd, 2017.   Good morning everyone!  My name is Elahe Hessamfar. In the paper I am presenting to you today, I ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Research Tagged: God, madness, Mental Illness, psychosis, Schizophrenia, theology

What Should We Make of Hearing Voices?

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Elahe Hessamfar

I was reading a recently published article in the New Yorker, by Jerome Groopman, about those who hear voices.  The article questions why some people hear voices, and when such voices might become a problem.  I found the article interesting. The article builds upon the concept of self-talk and the ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Personal Reflection, Research Tagged: demonic possession, Hallucination, Schizophrenia, self-talk, voice-hearing

Care for Severe Mental Illness— What We Can Learn from Geel

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Elahe Hessamfar

The care of the insane has presented major challenges to Western civiliza­tion in the past sixty years. With the advancement of psychopharmacol­ogy, the insane have been sent back into communities hoping for an “ordinary” life. But the ordinary life has been challenging and mostly out of their ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Research Tagged: Care of souls, Christ, Christian, church, Community, Compassion, Geel, home care, hospitality, madness, Mental Health, Mental Illness, psychiatric, psychosis, Schizophrenia

It Could Have Been My Daughter

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Elahe Hessamfar

On Monday March 9th, 2015, Robert Olsen, a white police officer in metro Atlanta, shot and killed Anthony Hill, a twenty-seven-year-old unarmed and completely naked black man. It could have been my daughter. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution[1] reports that Officer Olsen responded to reports of ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Personal Reflection Tagged: Anthony Hill, Atlanta, Compassion, Helia, Justice, Love, Media, Mental Illness, Murder, My Daughter, Patience, Police, Schizophrenia

God is With You Even When You Feel Completely Crushed: Reflections on Psalm 38

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Elahe Hessamfar

I use my time on the cardio exercise machine to read Psalms and Proverbs. It’s a good time to let those eternal, wise, and healing words to penetrate my soul. This morning I found myself reading and re-reading Psalm 38, a Psalm of David, a “Prayer of a suffering Penitent.” I could not move on! I ... [Continue Reading]

Category: Personal Reflection Tagged: Christianity, Faith, God's Absence, Helia, In the Fellowship of His Suffering, Mental Illness, Psalms, Schizophrenia, Sovereignty of God, Suffering

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Recent Posts

  • What if Some of Our Psychiatric Symptoms are Iatrogenic?
  • Gaining Freedom in the Midst of Darkness: A Theological Perspective
  • A Theological Interpretation of the Language of Madness
  • What Should We Make of Hearing Voices?
  • Do Not Trust in Riches and Worldly Goods

In the fellowship of his suffering.

A Theological Interpretation of Mental Illness. - A Focus on "Schizophrenia"

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