Mental Illness

[Dread_Zeppelin]

worst part is that the medications people take over the long term only end up making organs fail, liver,pancreas etc

Worst part of people taking medications is that their Christian friends judge them on it so they feel ashamed and scared to open up to anyone at all, then suffer quietly instead of being supported and loved by people who are trained to do so under God.

I find this funny whenever we talk about mental illness. As an ex-mental illness sufferer, I was SO suprised that Christians cared more about the fact that I took medicine instead of my WELL BEING. Kind of makes you think doesn't it? I realized those people didn't care about me at all, just their own personal righteousness being heard.

Not everyone who suffers mental illness has a demon (not everyone who does isn't demon possessed either). If you disagree then do so respectfully on behalf of the people who are suffering. Its extremely insulting being told to your face you're demon possessed. Stop making it all about your morals and pray for the individuals that suffer, that they'd find the love and support to get out mental illness and the treatment they need- whether it be medication or not. That should be our Biblical answer.

 

[dothackzero]

As some may know I am a third year Occupational Therapy (OT) student here in New Zealand.
I am currently completing a internship for a non profit organisation called Supporting Families. They pretty provide group education and support and counseling for the families of those with a serious mental illness (namely Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, Anxiety disorders) in particular to children and teenagers.

My question is, has anyone here got a family member (or even a friend) with mental illness. I would be particularly interested to hear from people who as a child or teen dealt with a parent/sibling going through this stuff. And what kind of supports (or lack of) YOU (not the family member) received from either health care professionals/services, the community (including church) and within your own families.

What is your understanding of these particular mental illnesses and those who deal with them?

I have and have been diagnosed with Generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and a bit of depression(Though I don't think it's really effect). I might even have a bit of hypochondria though it's never been officially diagnosed.

What do you need to know or what would you like to know?

 

[Consumed]

Yes, my husband was taking one medication that caused him to develop compulsive like symptoms (for lack of a better description) - constant foot tapping, hand tremors, leg swaying. It was terrible, like his body could never rest. Even in his sleep he would twitch and move, always restless. I then researched the medicine and found that the symptoms could be potentially irreversible even if he stopped the medication. Fortunately, they did stop after he ceased the medicine, but it took many months for his body to return to normal.

i stand with you in prayer lauren and for all the posts onthis thread for those who are ill and respective families, We believe Lord, Lord help us with our unbelief, we claim victory "it is finished" in Jesus name

 

[Consumed]

Worst part of people taking medications is that their Christian friends judge them on it so they feel ashamed and scared to open up to anyone at all, then suffer quietly instead of being supported and loved by people who are trained to do so under God.

I find this funny whenever we talk about mental illness. As an ex-mental illness sufferer, I was SO suprised that Christians cared more about the fact that I took medicine instead of my WELL BEING. Kind of makes you think doesn't it? I realized those people didn't care about me at all, just their own personal righteousness being heard.

Not everyone who suffers mental illness has a demon (not everyone who does isn't demon possessed either). If you disagree then do so respectfully on behalf of the people who are suffering. Its extremely insulting being told to your face you're demon possessed. Stop making it all about your morals and pray for the individuals that suffer, that they'd find the love and support to get out mental illness and the treatment they need- whether it be medication or not. That should be our Biblical answer.

sorry if i come across like that, i trueyl am, Jesus come to destroy the works of the devil and declared it is finished as He hung on the cross Iv worked in ministry helping people with all kinds of "disorders" and found that as soon as they were labeled by a psychiatrist that they had eg bi polar etc that in itself became a stronghold in some peoples minds, i prayed God would intervene and bring an end to the psychiatrist(non christian)t that the ministry was using, the Dr rang one day and said "i refuse to see any more people from your ministry" . We have a doctor at church who took over, except he doesnt use the prescription pad that much, only a temporary measure, but thru good christian counselling and prayer deliverance came. Dont think i discount any aspect of mental health, far be it from me, but to see that we are just happy to treat the effects and not the root cause is dis heartening for by His stripes we are healed

 

[nat4JC]

um...epilepsy is not a mental illness....so it doesn't even pertain to this entire discussion....it is classified as a developmental disability in DSM-IV axis diagnosis...

 

[Consumed]

um...epilepsy is not a mental illness....so it doesn't even pertain to this entire discussion....it is classified as a developmental disability in DSM-IV axis diagnosis...

that is interesting yet my whole point is that with Jesus nothing is impossible, even DSM-IV, bi polar, schizophrenia etc etc etc etc thats all. to give hope that ones faith can rise, for Jesus did say to some people "let it be done according to you faith"

"do you believe" yes Lord i do, help me with my unbelief
amen

 

[Kaitlin]

Kiwi, sounds like you're doing a great work. I partly agree with Consumed, because I do believe that sometimes (but not necessarily every time) some illnesses are demons. Even knowing that some medications cause damage on our bodies, sometimes - for the wellbeing of the person(s) involved - it's unavoidable to prescribe it.

Kiwi, it's so great that you being a born again Christian and can share the love of Christ with people having these kinds of illnesses. May I recommend, if you really want a whole picture, to look into/study orthomolecular medicine also. Orthomolecular is about nutrition, or lack of nutrition and how it affects the body. Many illnesses are a result of bad/lack of certain nutritions. I believe it can support your work positively.

 

[pickles]

By the way I forgot to add, Pickles I agree with you. Physical illness can actually affect the brain which can then display mental illness symptoms. Having a parent with a mental illness makes you twice as likely to be unwell later in life as well, though researchers believe it is both a social and a genetic thing.

One question though, how does you child have both bipolar and depression? Bipolar means the person has episodes of both hypermania and depression. So depression is already included in a bipolar diagnosis, not as a seperate entity. *Shruggs shoulders - just a thought.

Many prayers with you

I know its a different diag. My child has clinical depression, but homones trigger the bypolar.
For about 10 days each month it falls under bypolar, dr is considering manic.
If you like I can pm the unussual reasons why. In fact her dr is doing a study on my child simply because of the rare nature of the medical issues.
God bless, pickles

 

[Consumed]

i do understand that medication has its place during the process, however if we just treat the symptoms and not kill the root where is the freedom as promised by Christ Jesus, too many times we focus on the symptoms and not the cure for there is nothing impossible with God, not nothing

 

[kiwi_OT]

Lets not get into arguments about the pros and cons of medication ok? I want people to focus on what Im asking and not get side tracked please

 

[kiwi_OT]

Kiwi, it's so great that you being a born again Christian and can share the love of Christ with people having these kinds of illnesses. May I recommend, if you really want a whole picture, to look into/study orthomolecular medicine also. Orthomolecular is about nutrition, or lack of nutrition and how it affects the body. Many illnesses are a result of bad/lack of certain nutritions. I believe it can support your work positively.

Ahh thankyou for the compliment but for now apart from making to graduation this march, I have no wish to study medicine. What you suggested sounds very interesting though I should add that OTs usually work in an MDT environment (multi disciplinary team), and most often a dietition would be on the team and provide me with that useful collaboration. I chose OT as a career because it looks at how lack of or negative functional activity affects a person. So other than becoming an OT and a wife thats all I really have time for lol

 

[seoulsearch]

Hi Melody,

I've been following this thread a bit and wanted to see how it went before posting, as I agree with and appreciate your direction in not wanting to turn it into an argument.

I've never been labeled as "mentally ill" but I think I would definitely qualify. Most people are shocked to learn that I've struggled with severe depression since early childhood (I can remember something "snapping" in mind at around age 9 and then feeling as if it were full-blown at around 13) and went through a period of being in and out of counseling, as well as on and off meds, for about 10 years. It might help for a short while, but I would always seem to revert back to being the same way. I had suicide attempt about 10 years ago that landed me in the hospital for a week as well.

One of my biggest sources of grief is that people never believe what I say. They'll say, "But Kim, you always seem so bouncy and happy," and I want to shout, "That's because you expect me to be, and when I try to tell you what's really going on, you turn your head and walk away."

Or, they'll say, "But you're always cracking jokes and making people laugh..." and I want to tell them, "Do you not realize that some of the most famous comedians in history and in modern times are bipolar and will confess to being consumed by suicidal thoughts?"

People will tell me how selfish it is to think that way but really what they're saying is, "I have no idea how to help you and you're making me very uncomfortable so why don't you make it easier for the both of us and pretend it's all ok, because I really can't handle what you're trying to tell me."

The doctors always said I had depression or was unipolar--like a straight line that dips. They didn't think I was bipolar because I never did crazy things or went on supposed binges of irresponsibility. But as I get older, I'm almost sure I have bipolar disorder and I've been praying for a long time about what God wants me to do as far as treatment. Right now I'm also in the midst of normalizing some other health issues and there is only so much time and money to go around for medical issues.

As other people have posted, I've had problems with Christians telling me it's a matter of my faith being weak and not allowing God to heal me, but even Paul had a thorn in his flesh that God decided not to remove, and we don't know specifically what that thorn is. While it might not have been mental illness, I do believe that not everyone receives instant healing at all times--for others, it can be a long journey and this seems to be my case as well.

Being adopted with no record of my history, I have been to many prayer groups, classes, and Christian counselors who also feel my fight has biological and inherited foundations as well.

God bless you for being concerned about those of us trying to keep our heads above water in this area.

 

[KisDawn]

Or, they'll say, "But you're always cracking jokes and making people laugh..." and I want to tell them, "Do you not realize that some of the most famous comedians in history and in modern times are bipolar and will confess to being consumed by suicidal thoughts?"

I'm adopted too. <3

Also yea you get really good at hiding what you don't want other people to see. I'm like that with my ocd. I'm a little bit of a germaphoba enough to be quirky not like it takes up most of my life. That's though not why I have ocd, it's because of my dermatillomania which I don't really talk about. I really hate piety and don't want people to feel that for me at all so it's easier just to not say anything.

I get so annoyed though when people say it's demons because the only thoughts in my head are my own. I see calling things with that label it puts a negative view on people who are just a little bit different from everyone else. There is like a judgment in it when it shouldn't be like that at all. Also it hurts development in science to find things that do really help people. One persons body chemistry is different from everyone else's which is why it helps when there are a lot of different treatment options because one that works for someone else might not work for you. That's why I see labeling such things as being demonic as dangerous becasue then at least from what I've seen it stops at that and people really don't want to get to know you and see yes it is a part of your life but it isn't all your life.

 

[Consumed]

Lets not get into arguments about the pros and cons of medication ok? I want people to focus on what Im asking and not get side tracked please

its not about the pro and cons of medication its all about the truth that sets us free, Jesus is the same yesterday today forever. i once suffered severe depression,was demonised, had seen demons no delusions i assure you, enough so that i nearly hung myself, only by the grace of God showing up I didnt,

so to think ive never seriously experienced it is not the case, before that i used to do drugs hard core,self medication, to the point id wake up in the morning,walk out onto the balcony,say God "its a good day to die and see you face to face and scream at you just what the hell are you doing". Id then go inside and inject enough cocaine to kill a horse, drop from the chemical reaction, my chest would balloon to twice its size and i tell you i thought this is it im coming now God , but by the grace of God He wouldnt take me,so id go back to selling again more to make enough to get even more for the next mornings attempt, this went on for a week.

No one can ever ever tell me that the power of Gods spirit is not nor never can be the answer, iv seen demmons,been tormented since a very young age and it is God who delivered me, i went on to own my own buisness,family and children so please dont assume that when some one posts comments about the power of God that i personally havent experienced it in my own challenges in life.

A friend of mine at church,who when he first came to the ministry told us he is Jesus that has come to save the world, today is perfectly normal married,working runs his own buisness, you ever try to get someone who believes whole heartly they are Christ Jesus to accept Jesus as Lord and saviour, after a few hours of absolute love and prayer he did, he is a walking talking testimony to this day. No medication ever, self medicated on ecstasy before coming to the saving knowledge and grace of Christ Jesus........


People believe in Jesus yet seem to discount Him in His full glory

love you all

 

[KisDawn]

so to think ive never seriously experienced it is not the case, before that i used to do drugs hard core,self medication, to the point id wake up in the morning,walk out onto the balcony,say God "its a good day to die and see you face to face and scream at you just what the hell are you doing". Id then go inside and inject enough cocaine to kill a horse, drop from the chemical reaction, my chest would balloon to twice its size and i tell you i thought this is it im coming now God , but by the grace of God He wouldnt take me,so id go back to selling again more to make enough to get even more for the next mornings attempt, this went on for a week.

Ok I'm not saying this to be mean or to make you down God however your experiences could have been hallucinations. Cocaine is a stimulant of the central nervous system so it can cause you to feel things that aren't real. Hallucinations: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia This again isn't meant to mean but if it was hallucinations brought on by drugs I don't get how that is demonic? Yes doing hard drugs hurts your body however it is a chemical there is no good or evil associated with it, it's what you use the drug for that determines it's effect in the body. (If your doing it to help with an illness like painkillers then the chance that you'll get addicted is relatively low. If your using it as recreational and not therapeutic however that rate is much higher.) It sucks you went though that but using that as proof of demonic possession only hurts the case in the argument of it being real. That's also too why some people who are more scientifically orientated might look at Christianity and think things about it that aren't true.

 

[seoulsearch]

I'm adopted too. <3

Also yea you get really good at hiding what you don't want other people to see. I'm like that with my ocd. I'm a little bit of a germaphoba enough to be quirky not like it takes up most of my life. That's though not why I have ocd, it's because of my dermatillomania which I don't really talk about. I really hate piety and don't want people to feel that for me at all so it's easier just to not say anything.

I get so annoyed though when people say it's demons because the only thoughts in my head are my own. I see calling things with that label it puts a negative view on people who are just a little bit different from everyone else. There is like a judgment in it when it shouldn't be like that at all. Also it hurts development in science to find things that do really help people. One persons body chemistry is different from everyone else's which is why it helps when there are a lot of different treatment options because one that works for someone else might not work for you. That's why I see labeling such things as being demonic as dangerous becasue then at least from what I've seen it stops at that and people really don't want to get to know you and see yes it is a part of your life but it isn't all your life.

Excellent post, KisDawn.

If anyone out there wants to understand what a loved one is going through, ask God for the wisdom and insight and He'll give you a glimpse of their pain and show you how to help them.

I have a very close friend who has down spells in life like anyone else, but he told me he did not understand the deep depressions I tried to describe to him and he wanted to know what I was going through. He asked God to show him what it felt like.

For about three days, he was hit with a black despair, like a cloud you can't see through (think of the darkness during the Ten Plagues when the Egyptians couldn't see anyone around them, nor go anywhere for 3 days), and it felt like walking death. I told him, "Yup, that's pretty much how it's been for me for very long stretches since I was a kid."

Because of his experience, he now prays for people with depression, and sometimes when I'm having a bad spell, I can feel it start to lift, because I know in my heart that God is telling me He's reminded my friend of what it feels like and is asking him to pray for me. And just recently, as I've started researching bipolar disorder and asking God what I should do as far as seeking treatment I can afford, a friend of mine told me she'd suspected I was bipolar for a long time and has been praying for me for 6 months without me even knowing it.

Prayer, groups, Bible study, etc... does help, no doubt about that!! I thank God for the very few, but very close friends I have who know me well enough to care even when the issues are tough. But in my situation, at least, it has not yet been a full cure. (And by the way, I've never touched drugs that weren't prescribed for me and even then, I usually don't stay on them for indefinite amounts of time because I hate the way most chemicals make me feel, nor do I drink--I know those factors can make many people's symptoms even worse but mine were already enough of a challenge without any illicit substances.)

Once again, I just want to say thanks and many blessings to the people out there who are compassionate enough to want to understand and help (praying is a great place to start! ).

 

[Consumed]

Ok I'm not saying this to be mean or to make you down God however your experiences could have been hallucinations. Cocaine is a stimulant of the central nervous system so it can cause you to feel things that aren't real. Hallucinations: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia This again isn't meant to mean but if it was hallucinations brought on by drugs I don't get how that is demonic? Yes doing hard drugs hurts your body however it is a chemical there is no good or evil associated with it, it's what you use the drug for that determines it's effect in the body. (If your doing it to help with an illness like painkillers then the chance that you'll get addicted is relatively low. If your using it as recreational and not therapeutic however that rate is much higher.) It sucks you went though that but using that as proof of demonic possession only hurts the case in the argument of it being real. That's also too why some people who are more scientifically orientated might look at Christianity and think things about it that aren't true.

oh kisdawn, i come from a family who practised occult practices, i assure you, God has blessed me and set me free from the demonic spiritual world,i thank you for sincerity but because i choose not divulge all the facts that's my fault i admit, whether it even be physical or spiritual can never deny that Jesus cures the root of the issue, in my case 100% spiritual, I've seen practices that would make one really believe in the spiritual world. Most of my experiences happened in my early youth encountering demonic spirits, drugs was the medication i used to alleviate my fears and pain, i believed there was a God then thruout it all, just didn't know Him. please understand, if someone tells me that they heard or seen something, most people would say "you do drugs,must be hallucinating" that hurts,truely, gets one even questioning themselves. i know for they may well be under spiritual forces coming to steal kill and destroy. Praise God that He uses me to pray for people and have seen demons bound and cast out, i assure you, no hallucination in that area too, my Pastor would testify to that. Word says we overcome by the blood of the lamb and our testimony, i give my testimony as a given with Christ Jesus blood setting me free.

don't think because Hollywood has trivialized witchcraft as fantasy that it is, it is real i assure you, Jesus come to crush Satan's works
(that's why i asked God and i was blessed with having that discussion with the Dr in psychiatry as even after my salvation i thought maybe it was hallucinations, earlier post)(doubted, Satan again trying to steal from me)
i love you and thank you for your sincerity at heart, life is spiritual warfare,not carnal, who the Son sets free is free indeed

 

[NodMyHeadLikeYeah]

As some may know I am a third year Occupational Therapy (OT) student here in New Zealand.
I am currently completing a internship for a non profit organisation called Supporting Families. They pretty provide group education and support and counseling for the families of those with a serious mental illness (namely Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, Anxiety disorders) in particular to children and teenagers.

My question is, has anyone here got a family member (or even a friend) with mental illness. I would be particularly interested to hear from people who as a child or teen dealt with a parent/sibling going through this stuff. And what kind of supports (or lack of) YOU (not the family member) received from either health care professionals/services, the community (including church) and within your own families.

What is your understanding of these particular mental illnesses and those who deal with them?

Mental Illness runs in my family, My mom and dad didnt raise me. I lived alot with my Nana and my Cousin. Both of them had mental Illness's My cousin is schizophrenic. She would run outside and hide underneath her car because she thought people were trying to get her. Or she would stand at the front door and do morris code with the porch light trying to signal someone! She would go out in the front yard and if any sticks were pointing a weird way she would say that it was because her husband was cheating on her.

The stuff she did was funny at first, but she wasnt on any medication so it just got worse and worse. Everyone just chose to ignore it. There was no support at all for her
My nana had an anxiety disorder along with some other really weird stuff. She never went to a doctor, but we all knew their was something wrong with her. She manically cleaned at all hours of the night and day. She would get in the bath tub, then start screaming because she thought she couldnt move her body.

This part is the weirdest i think. My great Grandmother (my nana's mom) She had 9 children. My nana has gone to be with the Lord now, but her and my other aunts and uncles used to tell storys about their mother chasing them through corn fields with knives, They said she would get super human strength and throw their father across the room, they said she would foam at the mouth, and that she had a large hump on her back. So I'm not sure what any of that was. It was back in the 1920's so i dont think she was ever diagnosed with anything. i wanna ask them more questions about it, but whenever its brought up now, my aunts and uncles they always clam up and wont say a word. I dunno maybe you can make sense of what it was kiwi.

 

[KisDawn]

Excellent post, KisDawn.

For about three days, he was hit with a black despair, like a cloud you can't see through (think of the darkness during the Ten Plagues when the Egyptians couldn't see anyone around them, nor go anywhere for 3 days), and it felt like walking death. I told him, "Yup, that's pretty much how it's been for me for very long stretches since I was a kid."

Once again, I just want to say thanks and many blessings to the people out there who are compassionate enough to want to understand and help (praying is a great place to start! ).

Thank you your right it is hell sometimes, sometimes looking at my arms I get so frustrated because it looks like I've been attacked by bugs. It's sad that some people only get it if the go through it themselves. Prayer is a good place to start but also a sense of empathy and getting that just because you have one thing your still a person. Your not evil or demonically possessed and no one needs to hold your hand like a child. An ear to listen to a hug every now and then it means much more the fake platitudes.

please understand, if someone tells me that they heard or seen something, most people would say "you do drugs,must be hallucinating" that hurts,truely, gets one even questioning themselves. i know for they may well be under spiritual forces coming to steal kill and destroy. Praise God that He uses me to pray for people and have seen demons bound and cast out, i assure you, no hallucination in that area too, my Pastor would testify to that. Word says we overcome by the blood of the lamb and our testimony, i give my testimony as a given with Christ Jesus blood setting me free.

don't think because Hollywood has trivialized witchcraft as fantasy that it is, it is real i assure you, Jesus come to crush Satan's works
(that's why i asked God and i was blessed with having that discussion with the Dr in psychiatry as even after my salvation i thought maybe it was hallucinations, earlier post)(doubted, Satan again trying to steal from me)
i love you and thank you for your sincerity at heart, life is spiritual warfare,not carnal, who the Son sets free is free indeed

I didn't mean to hurt you, however first you must look for a natural cause before supernatural. What occult is your family in? Your right I do need more information before I can believe that it was demons. I do know actually a few people who practice Wicca and they are very nice people and really wouldn't hurt anyone. They though aren't like the witches you see on tv. XD Mostly it's meditation stuff like that. I love you too and want to know more. <3

 

[calvina]

As some may know I am a third year Occupational Therapy (OT) student here in New Zealand.
I am currently completing a internship for a non profit organisation called Supporting Families. They pretty provide group education and support and counseling for the families of those with a serious mental illness (namely Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, Anxiety disorders) in particular to children and teenagers.

My question is, has anyone here got a family member (or even a friend) with mental illness. I would be particularly interested to hear from people who as a child or teen dealt with a parent/sibling going through this stuff. And what kind of supports (or lack of) YOU (not the family member) received from either health care professionals/services, the community (including church) and within your own families.

What is your understanding of these particular mental illnesses and those who deal with them?

i do understand that those people suffering this kind of mental illness is really heartbreaking.most of people i had encountered with depression,schizohrenia and anxiety suffered from trauma,was raped,due to divorce, cannot accept that husband got another family,worried in life(financial,living alone,forgotten by family).so they need emotional support,encouragement,shelter and people who shows love to them as their own family.

i want to share what my friend shared to me today about a Pastor's testimony.this Ptr.got a daughter who suffered severe mental illness.im not sure of the diagnosis.the Ptr.was praying healing for his daughter for quite sometime but no result.then the Ptr.stop and asking GOD why he witness a lot of miracles,he prayed others and they were healed but why his own daughter doesn't receive healing? then GOD told him 'you must Praise Me'. but the Ptr.continue complaining why? again the LORD said to him 'you Praise Me'.that time he begin Praising Him..the next day as he was Praising GOD he heard his daughter shouting Daddy i'm healed! Praise GOD !


I do believe that GOD will healed you too sisters who are suffering mental illness.in the name of JESUS!