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L
Thanks Chelsea for your thoughts.
No, he was never on medication during that period that he was doing well and he wasn't seeing a doctor either.
He didn't feel better because he wasn't drinking and drugging, rather, when he was saved, God took away that desire to drink and drug -- delivered him from it.
No, he was never on medication during that period that he was doing well and he wasn't seeing a doctor either.
He didn't feel better because he wasn't drinking and drugging, rather, when he was saved, God took away that desire to drink and drug -- delivered him from it.
Hi Lauren, First let me say I send my heart and prayers to you during this difficult time. I believe that there are two causes to mental illness. First medical, I have a few relitives and my daughter suffer form different types, all chemically based. My daughter battles depression, by polar, anxiety. All a direct result of a genetic deletion. It is managed with medicines and suppliments. I have also seen those in lock-up psy. care and out patient that there was no doubt in my mind that there was demonic influence. One of the most telling clues is if the person is able they will refur to an outside influence such as it or they that affects or makes them do it . One person reacted to me when introduced that when she touched my hand it burned. There are those that lose themselves because of oppression and refuse or are to weak to accept what is in there lives. I have also seen those that are medically ill but also opressed. Some are ill due to a temp. illness such as a thyroid imbalance. If you have concerns that your hubby may be dealing with more than just a mental illness it would be wise to seek a good dicerning christian that works in this area. I know that there are psy. drs. that support and believe that this exsits. Although most are quiet about it.I wish I could direct you where to look but I am just starting to consider work in this area myself. I will continue to keep you and your hubby in my prayers . God bless, pickles
L
Slepsog, I find this very interesting what you said.....especially the second reason. I've never heard of this really as a reason for mental illness, but it could definitely apply to my husband in the area of personal failures. Can you provide any more information, articles, etc?
Also, number 3 makes sense. His father was not a nice man and I know my husband was abused when he was little....although I don't know much of the specifics of whether it was mental or physical abuse. I believe there may have been some other incidences in his life later on too which he never talked about but alluded to.
Thank you for that information -- gives me something to think about.
Also, number 3 makes sense. His father was not a nice man and I know my husband was abused when he was little....although I don't know much of the specifics of whether it was mental or physical abuse. I believe there may have been some other incidences in his life later on too which he never talked about but alluded to.
Thank you for that information -- gives me something to think about.
L
Very interesting information, thank you. My husband doesn't refer to an outside influence......I remember once when my husband was in the psych unit, and he befriended another man. Now that I think about it, it really did seem like there was this other being that was torturing him. Interesting. I am glad that I posted because I'm learning a lot here.
C
Oh okay. Right, I figure not being under the influence of those things, alcohol and drugs, would have to have helped his disposition.
At the place he's at is he getting counseling? I'm sure he is but I'm just wondering. Also, a Christian counselor/psychiatrist might help as well. Or maybe having a pastor visit him?
Also, for you I definitely agree that a support group is a good idea if you're feeling alone. And if you just need someone to unload on, I'm here for ya.
God bless you and your family.
At the place he's at is he getting counseling? I'm sure he is but I'm just wondering. Also, a Christian counselor/psychiatrist might help as well. Or maybe having a pastor visit him?
Also, for you I definitely agree that a support group is a good idea if you're feeling alone. And if you just need someone to unload on, I'm here for ya.
God bless you and your family.
L
MaggieMye, I thank you for the information you've given. I intend to reread it several times to digest it and take away what I can from it.
I asked that this thread not turn into a shouting match, which I can begin to see the makings of. I ask that you respect my current situation and vulnerability and perhaps tone down the refuting a bit. I understand that this is a topic close to your heart, but it's beginning to sound like an argument rather than a civilized discussion.
Please.
I asked that this thread not turn into a shouting match, which I can begin to see the makings of. I ask that you respect my current situation and vulnerability and perhaps tone down the refuting a bit. I understand that this is a topic close to your heart, but it's beginning to sound like an argument rather than a civilized discussion.
Please.
L
I'm sure there's some counseling there Chelsea, but he is really far gone at this point. I don't know if he could even carry on a two-way conversation for more than a minute or two.
I just spoke to the nurse on his ward as it's his birthday and I wanted to wish him a happy birthday, and she said, "well, you might get a minute or two of lucidity, but that's about it". It's kind of hard to describe; it's just like he's in another world
I saw him like this once before, several years ago, and he did eventually "come back to reality" but he's never been 100%.
I just spoke to the nurse on his ward as it's his birthday and I wanted to wish him a happy birthday, and she said, "well, you might get a minute or two of lucidity, but that's about it". It's kind of hard to describe; it's just like he's in another world
I saw him like this once before, several years ago, and he did eventually "come back to reality" but he's never been 100%.
C
Oh btw, Chelsea, I used to just love Steven Wright. Man, his humor was just hilarious. I haven't seen him in a long time -- I wonder if there's a video you can buy of him, that would be great for a good laugh 
Sometimes we just need to laugh
Lauren:
I am by no means an expert either but ten years ago, I was working on a Master's degree in psychology and working at a school for developmentally disabled children (my husband at the time left for someone else; I had to quit school and take a full-time job and have never been back to school.)
I personally believe that all illnesses, whether mental or physical, can have multi-dimensional causes because God made us as multi-dimensional beings (body, mind, spirit.) I believe that if something goes wrong in one area, it will affect the other areas as well, and the cause of such things can be both spiritual (demonic) and/or physical/psychological. However, I do believe that if someone is willfully choosing the wrong things, it can, of course, make things much worse.
I have struggled with severe depression all my life that has manifested in a multitude of symptoms (including a suicide attempt that caused the loss of a few friends--I prefer to think that, although of course, my choice was wrong, it also helped me see who my true friends really were--not as an excuse, but as a testimony that God can use even our worst choices for a better purpose.) I have also heard the arguments that I wasn't a Christian, was going to hell, had no need for medication, etc., and was in and out of a combination of counseling and meds for at least ten years.
It has taken a very long time, but one of the things I've found out about myself is that I was borderline Type 2 diabetic--for some reason, my system does not metabolize insulin in the way that it should and so I had been living my entire life with excess insulin constantly running through my body, which creates a lot of stress and imbalance. I was just diagnosed with this last year because the doctor I went to approached my issues from another perspective and ran some tests no one else had even suggested. I am no longer on any anti-depressants, but just one medication for high blood pressure and another to help my body process insulin properly (I also had to make changes in my diet) and I can honestly say I'm doing better than I think I ever have been in my life. I will probably be on these medicaitons for the rest of my life (I'm 35), but I had no idea that something like this might possibly be a major contributing factor to my constant depression. I have also noticed that my depression is always worse if I eat a lot of processed sugar, so I know that for myself, cutting back on sugar and carbs (I don't drink but I know alcohol would be in this category too) makes a major difference in my moods. It may not work for everyone but it's helped a lot in my experience.
However, during the past 4 years, I have also spent a lot of time becoming involved in most anything my church had to offer as far as counseling, various ministries, serving on the prayer team, etc. I had to make a lot of hard choices, letting go of old crutches and moving in the right direction, stick with the right choices consistently, and it wasn't easy, but I have no doubt that it is a combination of all of these factors that God has used to help me get on the right track.
You and your husband are in my prayers. I know he needs to work out the pain of losing his first wife and adjusting to his responsibility to you as your husband now. I pray that his heart will soften to make the right choices and accept the help he's offered... and that these hard times will bring you closer together, and of course, more importantly, closer to God, in the end. And I pray that God will comfort, strengthen, and bless your desire to be a supportive, loving wife to your husband. God doesn't forget that you need support as well, so I sincerely hope you can find others in your area going through the same issues so that they can encourage you without judging or criticizing.
Blessings to you.
I am by no means an expert either but ten years ago, I was working on a Master's degree in psychology and working at a school for developmentally disabled children (my husband at the time left for someone else; I had to quit school and take a full-time job and have never been back to school.)
I personally believe that all illnesses, whether mental or physical, can have multi-dimensional causes because God made us as multi-dimensional beings (body, mind, spirit.) I believe that if something goes wrong in one area, it will affect the other areas as well, and the cause of such things can be both spiritual (demonic) and/or physical/psychological. However, I do believe that if someone is willfully choosing the wrong things, it can, of course, make things much worse.
I have struggled with severe depression all my life that has manifested in a multitude of symptoms (including a suicide attempt that caused the loss of a few friends--I prefer to think that, although of course, my choice was wrong, it also helped me see who my true friends really were--not as an excuse, but as a testimony that God can use even our worst choices for a better purpose.) I have also heard the arguments that I wasn't a Christian, was going to hell, had no need for medication, etc., and was in and out of a combination of counseling and meds for at least ten years.
It has taken a very long time, but one of the things I've found out about myself is that I was borderline Type 2 diabetic--for some reason, my system does not metabolize insulin in the way that it should and so I had been living my entire life with excess insulin constantly running through my body, which creates a lot of stress and imbalance. I was just diagnosed with this last year because the doctor I went to approached my issues from another perspective and ran some tests no one else had even suggested. I am no longer on any anti-depressants, but just one medication for high blood pressure and another to help my body process insulin properly (I also had to make changes in my diet) and I can honestly say I'm doing better than I think I ever have been in my life. I will probably be on these medicaitons for the rest of my life (I'm 35), but I had no idea that something like this might possibly be a major contributing factor to my constant depression. I have also noticed that my depression is always worse if I eat a lot of processed sugar, so I know that for myself, cutting back on sugar and carbs (I don't drink but I know alcohol would be in this category too) makes a major difference in my moods. It may not work for everyone but it's helped a lot in my experience.
However, during the past 4 years, I have also spent a lot of time becoming involved in most anything my church had to offer as far as counseling, various ministries, serving on the prayer team, etc. I had to make a lot of hard choices, letting go of old crutches and moving in the right direction, stick with the right choices consistently, and it wasn't easy, but I have no doubt that it is a combination of all of these factors that God has used to help me get on the right track.
You and your husband are in my prayers. I know he needs to work out the pain of losing his first wife and adjusting to his responsibility to you as your husband now. I pray that his heart will soften to make the right choices and accept the help he's offered... and that these hard times will bring you closer together, and of course, more importantly, closer to God, in the end. And I pray that God will comfort, strengthen, and bless your desire to be a supportive, loving wife to your husband. God doesn't forget that you need support as well, so I sincerely hope you can find others in your area going through the same issues so that they can encourage you without judging or criticizing.
Blessings to you.
M
Shawn: I also have compassion for them. How could I not having a son that is mentally ill?? But I encourage you to remember that Psychology and psychiatry are the WORLDS methods of dealing with sin and curses of the spiritual realm. If you think about it for even a minute, psychology and psychiatry RARELY see one of their patients truly CURED. They give meds, the meds are a bandaid to subdue the manifestations of the symptoms. Whereas Deliverance sets the person free. I encourage you to learn BOTH sides of the coin, so to speak, so as to be able to give your future clients the absolute BEST.
Pigs in the Parlor is a good place to start. How To Cast Out Demons by Doris Wagner is next. You WILL find these books intriguing!
Maggie
Oh...and I use CAPS when I want to empasize something, not to yell. Is there another way to put emphasis on a word? Bold print, I guess.
Pigs in the Parlor is a good place to start. How To Cast Out Demons by Doris Wagner is next. You WILL find these books intriguing!
Maggie
Oh...and I use CAPS when I want to empasize something, not to yell. Is there another way to put emphasis on a word? Bold print, I guess.
It's cool Maggie. I think medication is way over prescribed. I prefer neuropsychology. Through stimulation (play, talking, running) different areas of the brain develop and heal. No medication required.
As for this subject - I do not doubt you have compassion, but, I do not agree with your approach at all.
As for this subject - I do not doubt you have compassion, but, I do not agree with your approach at all.
G
I also do not believe that mental illness is caused by demons, but there are many Christians who do. I watched a sermon series by Mark Driscoll, the pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, that was called "Spiritual Warfare," I think. In one of the lessons, he outright said that demon possession is real, and that so many mental or emotional problems are caused by demons. He talks about performing exorcisms, with witnesses, in his office, and that after these, people who had problems with depression or schizophrenia became immediately well, an stayed that way. He did acknowledge that mental illnesses or depression, etc, are sometimes caused by chemical imbalances, but he believes that most of the time mental problems are the result of demon possession. I don't agree with him, but it was an interesting sermon because I had never heard anyone say those things before; I'd recommend checking those out if you're interested. You can find them at the Mars Hill website, I'm sure.
M
Actually, before people are exorcised, the exorcist MUST make sure the person is not mentally ill. Just a neat fact I thought I'd share.
According to whom??
And it makes no sense for this reason: If the mentally ill person is mentally ill BECAUSE they need deliverance, then you'll get nowhere fast. Many mentally ill people have had demons cast out and then, like in the Bible, are in their right mind.
"out of their mind" = insanity; in their right mind" = sane.
The testimony of Ana Mendez, who was committed to a psych institution for the rest of her life was schizophrenic and severly out of touch with reality. This happend after being involved in voodoo and a myriad of other occultic ceremonies and practices. She heard demonic voices all the time and was full of fear (paranoia). After receiving Christ and then deliverance, she literally emptied the hospital, going from room to room laying hands on the mentally ill and casting out demons and healing them. She now travels the world teaching on setting the captives free.
Voice of the Light Ministries, if you're interested.
Maggie
Maggie
According to whom??
And it makes no sense for this reason: If the mentally ill person is mentally ill BECAUSE they need deliverance, then you'll get nowhere fast. Many mentally ill people have had demons cast out and then, like in the Bible, are in their right mind.
"out of their mind" = insanity; in their right mind" = sane.
The testimony of Ana Mendez, who was committed to a psych institution for the rest of her life was schizophrenic and severly out of touch with reality. This happend after being involved in voodoo and a myriad of other occultic ceremonies and practices. She heard demonic voices all the time and was full of fear (paranoia). After receiving Christ and then deliverance, she literally emptied the hospital, going from room to room laying hands on the mentally ill and casting out demons and healing them. She now travels the world teaching on setting the captives free.
Voice of the Light Ministries, if you're interested.
Maggie
Maggie
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