Christians with Mental Health Issues

[Christ_empowered]

deal is...no one ever died of schizophrenia. or bipolar I. or schizoaffective. the available treatments suppress symptoms. that's...it, on a good day. personally, my 1 tablet per day suppresses my symptoms well enough (mixed with vitamins, in my case) that I can keep on keepin' on, and it does have a positive affect on my overall quality of life. this is -not- true of a lot of people.

ugh. i think since most psych prescriptions in the us come from non-psychiatrist prescribers, anyway (plenty of family docs play their hand at psychopharmacology), why don't we just scrap psychiatry, as a branch of medicine? any skilled doctor can match a person up with something that will suppress the worst of their symptoms, and general practitioners are better about -not- piling on tons of pills. they also do their own blood work, etc. which...is -not- the case with psychiatrists. i just don't see the point of the specialty, basically.

--off soap box--

 

[humble soul]

deal is...no one ever died of schizophrenia. or bipolar I. or schizoaffective. the

But what about dying at the hands of some one with that illness, that stopped taking their medication? It happens in the news. Last month some guy killed his parents, after ceasing medication.

 

[Link1983]

Link1983...



Technically it is true but I said it tongue in cheek. Cuz alcohol doesn't ever really help any situation. We know that. I'm not a drinker so maybe that post was in poor taste. Sorry folks. Just kidding a little.

That's ok Edward i understood the humor in it. I personally like to make humor of everything. Even the worst things. It should be tasteful tho.
So good on you to add this.
Me having seen the bad side of alkohol on someone close to me..
God bless.

 

[Link1983]

But what about dying at the hands of some one with that illness, that stopped taking their medication? It happens in the news. Last month some guy killed his parents, after ceasing medication.

Cause... effect...

 

[Link1983]

deal is...no one ever died of schizophrenia. or bipolar I. or schizoaffective. the available treatments suppress symptoms. that's...it, on a good day. personally, my 1 tablet per day suppresses my symptoms well enough (mixed with vitamins, in my case) that I can keep on keepin' on, and it does have a positive affect on my overall quality of life. this is -not- true of a lot of people.

ugh. i think since most psych prescriptions in the us come from non-psychiatrist prescribers, anyway (plenty of family docs play their hand at psychopharmacology), why don't we just scrap psychiatry, as a branch of medicine? any skilled doctor can match a person up with something that will suppress the worst of their symptoms, and general practitioners are better about -not- piling on tons of pills. they also do their own blood work, etc. which...is -not- the case with psychiatrists. i just don't see the point of the specialty, basically.

--off soap box--

Do you know the cause of your "problems"?
Just wondering. Not really my deal to intrude..

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well like I said, I'm no doctor nor do I play one on tv, but Im pretty sure those drugs will have a certain calming effect and make them more controllable...but don't really do anything to help cure people or the underlying problem. They just treat the symptoms.

Some stuff is not curable. Diabetes, for example, can be managed, and it can be "reversed" as they call it, which is to say through a strict diet and exercise routine you can keep your blood sugar down to a healthy range. But if you go off the diet, the problem comes right back. Some mental health issues are curable, some are lifelong.

 

[Christ_empowered]

We like talking about scriptures...but we also like talking about a lot of other things too.

We are all a huge group of people who have become friends with each other. And we come from everywhere in the world that speaks English...so there are the cultural differences that we have to bridge but Our Father helps us with it all.

Welcome to the group!

Do you know the cause of your "problems"?
Just wondering. Not really my deal to intrude..

i think...my "problems" are from having started as a low status, short, button nosed, prematurely aged flamboyantly gay dude (age 17), who -quickly- messed up (reefer, pills, sodomy...), and predictably became estranged from my (loving, wonderful...did I mention we've reconciled?) parents, plus...

-poverty-

my poverty was not nearly as severe as it could have been (did I Mention my parents?), but it was rough...that coupled with stigma and being homely and physically sick (i may have had cancer...suspend your disbelief, I guess...my life 'out there' was rough...broad road is not the place for me, no sir), plus...

ugh. im not -big- on genetic factors in 'severe mental illness,' but some relatives up the family tree got to a point where the pressure got to be too much, and...that was it. not state hospital - level losing it, but...hospitalization, some shock treatments here and there, that kinda thing. me? factor in the uppers, downers, poor health, fake friends, family conflict, poverty, general misery...

-sigh- God had mercy (pity?) on me. I survived...a lot. the 1 good thing I can say about the involuntary shock is that I don't remember much, at least...no where near as much as I would had I not been zapped. and, now...

Praise God! A tad less than 8 years into my genuine walk with The Lord, I don't have to live in real poverty (long story), I'm physically healthy (no medical treatment, whatsoever), and my need for psych drugs is relatively minimal, all things considered (the 'atypical' tranquilizer, rarely a "non-addictive" sedative at night to simmer down), and...

ugh. they're still just palliatives, you know? its like having a chronic cough, and doing nothing about it except chugging Robitussin. it was it is...

all the stigma and general junk that goes with...being me, in this area, right now...aside, God has seen fit to bless me. I don't put too, too much stock in the concept of IQ, but the truth is: 120, my old IQ estimate, about summed it up. Bright, not brilliant. now? somehow, I get to have a 145-150 IQ, for...you know, however long my life lasts and all that. the difference? oddly enough, The Lord has made me into a closer approximation of who I wanted to be, now that I think about it. I have social skills, I"m healthy, I'm no longer short (5'7 15 years age, age 20...5'10 now) , I actually look a bit younger than my age, I have tact, I"m remarkably polite, even, and....

I can articulate things better, understand the world around me better, write better, speak better, more clearly, on things that matter (to...me, at least). That's His work in my life...and I -am- increasingly grateful.

The..."affliction" ? I dunno. I'm not violent, even off meds. confused, yes. that's 1 reason I "voluntarily" continue tranquilizer treatment, etc....off the 'atypical,' I get chipper and talkative, almost...giddy...and my mind just moves all over, plus whatever it is that 'filters' the outside world, etc...yeah, I don't have much of that 'filter,' without a tranquilizer.

Oh, and...in part because of my own drug use, in part because of psych 'treatment' (much of it -not- voluntary, btw), my IQ estimate dipped to 95 for a season. and I was traumatized, obviously brain damaged, dead eyed. now? normal, bright eyes, no obvious brain damage, the 145-150 IQ estimate, and...

trauma? kind of an overused word, honestly. college kids talk about "trauma" and "triggers" when unwanted speaker comes to campus. I don't mean that, I mean...low grade stuff, yes (peer rejection, big time), plus big stuff (bashed on the head with a pipe), plus...

blah blah blah. fallen world. broad road...not a good place. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was all my fault, take personal responsibility, its more like...

take up the plow, now push forward. don't look back. and... 'put aside what is behind, and press forward...'

and yet, my mind just disintegrated, you know? or at least...the filtering part of it, the part that keeps the inner and outer worlds separate and makes the world kinda sorta make sense. just...stopped working, hasn't gotten back into full 100% operation since the breakdown, over 10 years ago. maybe He will fully heal me, and I'll be able to slowly, slowly, slowly and only under a compassionate doctor's care taper or reduce the tranquilizer? maybe. in the meantime...

-sigh- it is what it is. The Lord has shown -incredible- kindness and mercy towards me, and I am increasingly thankful. from lost sheep to one of the 99...

 

[evenifigoalone]

Some stuff is not curable. Diabetes, for example, can be managed, and it can be "reversed" as they call it, which is to say through a strict diet and exercise routine you can keep your blood sugar down to a healthy range. But if you go off the diet, the problem comes right back. Some mental health issues are curable, some are lifelong.

I will add to this, that meds are probably overprescribed. There's stuff you can do and different types of mental therapy you can practice, that is effective and at least takes the edge off your symptoms if nothing else. I don't think psych meds are bad, but I don't think they're usually needed in more mild cases.

But I'm that girl who doesn't know how to say no, so. Yeah, I'm on psych meds. Do I think I need them? Probably not. My anxiety has always been on the less severe end of the spectrum, even my OCD.
OCD is, I think, just how my brain is wired to deal with anxiety and uncertainty. But social anxiety, was more a result of, I guess, traumatic experiences in my teens, and dealing with that was more a matter of unlearning the way I thought about and processed the actions of other people.

 

[humble soul]

God of course helps. The real God, not the fake one. But no need to lose commonsense over this. God created intelligent doctors and researchers who can help the mentally ill. Help them with useful drugs that can minimise violent behaviour.
For society's sake we need antipsychotic drugs.
Sometimes we need to separate psychiatry/psychology and spirituality. They are related but are not the same. Spirituality can help anyone. God can help anyone.
Ideally a severely mentally ill person can access both.

 

[humble soul]

I don't think psych meds are bad, but I don't think they're usually needed in more mild cases.

That's a reasonable statement. I don't think antidepressants are useful for me, for example. Though some medication seems to help me. I would be too addicted to benzos to get into them.
If I were severely mentally ill, I would have to accept the fact that medication is mandatory.

 

[Link1983]

i think...my "problems" are from having started as a low status, short, button nosed, prematurely aged flamboyantly gay dude (age 17), who -quickly- messed up (reefer, pills, sodomy...), and predictably became estranged from my (loving, wonderful...did I mention we've reconciled?) parents, plus...

-poverty-

my poverty was not nearly as severe as it could have been (did I Mention my parents?), but it was rough...that coupled with stigma and being homely and physically sick (i may have had cancer...suspend your disbelief, I guess...my life 'out there' was rough...broad road is not the place for me, no sir), plus...

ugh. im not -big- on genetic factors in 'severe mental illness,' but some relatives up the family tree got to a point where the pressure got to be too much, and...that was it. not state hospital - level losing it, but...hospitalization, some shock treatments here and there, that kinda thing. me? factor in the uppers, downers, poor health, fake friends, family conflict, poverty, general misery...

-sigh- God had mercy (pity?) on me. I survived...a lot. the 1 good thing I can say about the involuntary shock is that I don't remember much, at least...no where near as much as I would had I not been zapped. and, now...

Praise God! A tad less than 8 years into my genuine walk with The Lord, I don't have to live in real poverty (long story), I'm physically healthy (no medical treatment, whatsoever), and my need for psych drugs is relatively minimal, all things considered (the 'atypical' tranquilizer, rarely a "non-addictive" sedative at night to simmer down), and...

ugh. they're still just palliatives, you know? its like having a chronic cough, and doing nothing about it except chugging Robitussin. it was it is...

all the stigma and general junk that goes with...being me, in this area, right now...aside, God has seen fit to bless me. I don't put too, too much stock in the concept of IQ, but the truth is: 120, my old IQ estimate, about summed it up. Bright, not brilliant. now? somehow, I get to have a 145-150 IQ, for...you know, however long my life lasts and all that. the difference? oddly enough, The Lord has made me into a closer approximation of who I wanted to be, now that I think about it. I have social skills, I"m healthy, I'm no longer short (5'7 15 years age, age 20...5'10 now) , I actually look a bit younger than my age, I have tact, I"m remarkably polite, even, and....

I can articulate things better, understand the world around me better, write better, speak better, more clearly, on things that matter (to...me, at least). That's His work in my life...and I -am- increasingly grateful.

The..."affliction" ? I dunno. I'm not violent, even off meds. confused, yes. that's 1 reason I "voluntarily" continue tranquilizer treatment, etc....off the 'atypical,' I get chipper and talkative, almost...giddy...and my mind just moves all over, plus whatever it is that 'filters' the outside world, etc...yeah, I don't have much of that 'filter,' without a tranquilizer.

Oh, and...in part because of my own drug use, in part because of psych 'treatment' (much of it -not- voluntary, btw), my IQ estimate dipped to 95 for a season. and I was traumatized, obviously brain damaged, dead eyed. now? normal, bright eyes, no obvious brain damage, the 145-150 IQ estimate, and...

trauma? kind of an overused word, honestly. college kids talk about "trauma" and "triggers" when unwanted speaker comes to campus. I don't mean that, I mean...low grade stuff, yes (peer rejection, big time), plus big stuff (bashed on the head with a pipe), plus...

blah blah blah. fallen world. broad road...not a good place. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was all my fault, take personal responsibility, its more like...

take up the plow, now push forward. don't look back. and... 'put aside what is behind, and press forward...'

and yet, my mind just disintegrated, you know? or at least...the filtering part of it, the part that keeps the inner and outer worlds separate and makes the world kinda sorta make sense. just...stopped working, hasn't gotten back into full 100% operation since the breakdown, over 10 years ago. maybe He will fully heal me, and I'll be able to slowly, slowly, slowly and only under a compassionate doctor's care taper or reduce the tranquilizer? maybe. in the meantime...

-sigh- it is what it is. The Lord has shown -incredible- kindness and mercy towards me, and I am increasingly thankful. from lost sheep to one of the 99...

A lot of compressed thoughts.. you sound a lot like me. Minus some things, plus some other things. Well.. you found more than all of it!
Some smart moves there. Like not looking back, pressing forward. Not playing the blame game. Some revelations. Amen!
Iq. Did you test or estimate along the way? ?
Diagnosis labels and religious dogmatism is really mostly irrelevant.

On my darkest moments, it seems like, when i ignore the fears, im closer than i ever was. Seems to me that God doesn't mind me going into the void.
I think it's because He wants me to be completely dependent and trusting Him..
Comfort makes me dull. The strongest trees grow in the most hostile conditions..

Fear is the opposite of love and faith. Fear is the father of most all physical and mental disorders.

God has made ready complete freedom and peace for everyone. Not when we die. Now!
I am. God is now!
Our potential is ready for the taking. It's effect is more than we have realized. Even the great Christian pioneers only got a taste.
We, me the sincere ought to realize this potential.

Thanks for your honest response.

End with a great saying; "I am not moved by what I see, i am not moved by what I feel, I am only moved by what I believe!"

 

[Link1983]

Some stuff is not curable. Diabetes, for example, can be managed, and it can be "reversed" as they call it, which is to say through a strict diet and exercise routine you can keep your blood sugar down to a healthy range. But if you go off the diet, the problem comes right back. Some mental health issues are curable, some are lifelong.

I personally believe that all or at least most physical illnesses is caused by our mental conditions.
I won't say i know this, but by experience it's seems like it is so.

I have seen the worst drug addict and with one of the worst sicknesses known to man, gro old, and 65 looking like he is 25 years younger. Not one gray hair. Another friend got half of her hair grey. Putting on pounds and looking poorly.

When i see and followed them both all my life. I see that the difference between the is mainly their hangups..
Their tendency to worry.
Both do. But one doesn't really mind. The other seems caught in it..

Salvation is really translated as "beeing set free" or "released"
Something to ponder on and understand..

 

[Edward]

Some stuff is not curable. Diabetes, for example, can be managed, and it can be "reversed" as they call it, which is to say through a strict diet and exercise routine you can keep your blood sugar down to a healthy range. But if you go off the diet, the problem comes right back. Some mental health issues are curable, some are lifelong.

I don't get it. How do you know some stuff is not curable?
Are you a doctor or scientist and can explain why not?
Or did someone tell you these things?

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming that you are not a scientist and some doctor type told you these things.
So actually, you do not know for sure. You have no proof that anything is not curable.

But to be fair, I have no actual proof that everything is curable by the One who created you. The Great physician, Jesus Christ. I came to a belief in my position through the word of God. (If you want, just ask and I will give you the scripture references for this). I trust God, and have heard His word spoken and preached. So I have faith in His word and in Him.

Now faith comes by hearing. And hearing by the word of God.

So what I believe that we're looking at here, is that I speak my belief that our Lord can heal every ailment that you have because I have faith in Him and that His word is true.

And (I assume) that you have faith and trust in your doctors of the world and they have told you, uncurable. And you believe them.

This brings us to a predicament now. We are both professed Christians and yet we are far apart in this discussion. Sister, this should not be. So...may I ask,
Do you not trust the word of God?
Do you not trust God?
Do you not believe that God has ever healed anyone?

There are many stories of people being healed by God, in His word. There are very many Testimonies being told every day in churches, on Youtube and person to person. I myself have a personal healing Testimony of God healing me one night. I'd happily share it with you if you would like to hear it.
I have nothing to gain by sharing my Testimony. I promise not to ask for your credit card number, so why would I lie about it? I do not.

Or maybe I have this all wrong and you do have proof that you are uncurable?

 

[evenifigoalone]

I don't get it. How do you know some stuff is not curable?
Are you a doctor or scientist and can explain why not?
Or did someone tell you these things?

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming that you are not a scientist and some doctor type told you these things.
So actually, you do not know for sure. You have no proof that anything is not curable.

But to be fair, I have no actual proof that everything is curable by the One who created you. The Great physician, Jesus Christ. I came to a belief in my position through the word of God. (If you want, just ask and I will give you the scripture references for this). I trust God, and have heard His word spoken and preached. So I have faith in His word and in Him.

Now faith comes by hearing. And hearing by the word of God.

So what I believe that we're looking at here, is that I speak my belief that our Lord can heal every ailment that you have because I have faith in Him and that His word is true.

And (I assume) that you have faith and trust in your doctors of the world and they have told you, uncurable. And you believe them.

This brings us to a predicament now. We are both professed Christians and yet we are far apart in this discussion. Sister, this should not be. So...may I ask,
Do you not trust the word of God?
Do you not trust God?
Do you not believe that God has ever healed anyone?

There are many stories of people being healed by God, in His word. There are very many Testimonies being told every day in churches, on Youtube and person to person. I myself have a personal healing Testimony of God healing me one night. I'd happily share it with you if you would like to hear it.
I have nothing to gain by sharing my Testimony. I promise not to ask for your credit card number, so why would I lie about it? I do not.

Or maybe I have this all wrong and you do have proof that you are uncurable?

All the reliable data we have on diabetes has yet to uncover a cure, if there is one. Diabetes is either the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin (type 1), or your cells have become insulin-resistant (type 2).

Can God cure my diabetes? Sure, God can do whatever He pleases. Will He cure my diabetes? Who can say. But based on what I've seen, full curing from diseases seems pretty rare. Frankly I'm not counting on it.
Look. I spent a solid decade believing God would miraculously cure my stepdad of his paralysis and other chronic health conditions that left him constantly in and out of the hospital. That never happened, and he eventually died. Am I upset or bitter? Nah. And I don't at all regret the earnest belief that I had. But sometimes the answer is no.

Me saying my diabetes is incurable is simply based on the available data we have. It's not a lack of faith, it's just a statement that by our human, natural means, I have this disease for life.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I follow a therapist on Tiktok, and they had a tip for anxiety that I thought was super helpful:

Anxiety is physical, it's literally your fight or flight response acting when it's inappropriate to do so. This is why exercise, like going for a 15 minute walk, can help with anxiety: you're tricking your body into thinking you're outrunning the danger.

 

[humble soul]

Helpful for those of us who sometimes takes things personally.

 

[humble soul]

Do you want to be right or be happy?
(Both if possible ?)

 

[SailorWriter]

Perfect timing to spill out.
I might not be officially diagnosed with OCD, but my actions and that I do them because out of fear I might do something immoral in the future. The question is, what can I do about this?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Perfect timing to spill out.
I might not be officially diagnosed with OCD, but my actions and that I do them because out of fear I might do something immoral in the future. The question is, what can I do about this?

I'll type out something more detailed later, but for now: do you have Facebook? Look up the group Christianity and Anxiety Disorders - Let's Talk
The admin has OCD and knows a lot about it.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Perfect timing to spill out.
I might not be officially diagnosed with OCD, but my actions and that I do them because out of fear I might do something immoral in the future. The question is, what can I do about this?

Sounds like you have scrupulosity OCD.
The best treatment for OCD is ERP (Exposure Response Prevention). You can practice it yourself, but depending on the severity you may need a therapist who is experienced in OCD.

OCD is made up of two things: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are the things you worry about, the thoughts that are persistent and you just can't get rid of. Compulsions are the things you try to do to settle the obsessive thoughts. Compulsions can be internal or external. When you have OCD, the obsessions and compulsions create a vicious cycle, as doing compulsions only reinforces that the obsessive thoughts are a threat. So they become stronger and more insistent.
The best way to break this cycle is by allowing your obsessive thoughts to scream at you while avoiding doing any compulsions. When you do this, the obsessive thoughts slowly lose their power. It's way easier said than done, of course.