• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

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It's an illness

Celticroots

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Time to vent. Makes me so angry that some people still don't recognize OCD is a mental illness. Instead we get told we aren't really saved or are making excuses, not wanting to fix our lives.

Yet we worry ourselves sick over whether we're really saved or some other such nonsense, or fear everything we do is sinful.

Questions still appear asking if mental illness is demonic in origin.

It's the 21st century. Demons can't be blamed for every little thing.

Christians with OCD and other illnesses, what's the most ignorant statement you've ever heard?

How has God revealed Himself to you through this struggle?
 

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One of my buddies I played baseball with for years has OCD. I know it's a real mental illness. He did learn a lot of ways to help deal with it but I know it causes him a lot of stress & frustration. Of course it's not demonic in origin. Sorry you're dealing with it too.
 
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Mari17

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I know it's frustrating, but let's not use this as an opportunity to bash those who don't understand. After all, how well do we understand some of the illnesses other people have? I know OCD has made me a LOT less judgmental. I used to think "Just get over it" when I saw other people struggling with personal problems. Now I realize how hard it can be to "just get over it" when it's YOUR problem. So people commenting on this thread, please be kind. But by all means, let's raise awareness of OCD. It's a devastating disorder that's not at all as easy to overcome as it seems!
 
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Shawb

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Yeah... I get frustrated too. Especially when other people tell me to get over it or that the reason I am not over it is because I do not have enough faith. Would you tell a depressed person to cheer up? Or a diabetic to sneak some sweets? No. But people come up with simple solutions to problems that they do not have. Remember what Christ said to his disciples about the blind man. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus replied: Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Perhaps think of it this way, perhaps the reason we are afflicted with this is so that the power God and displayed through us, through our reliance on God. Or maybe, God can be using you to bridge the gap between mental illness and our faith that you can lend your hand to those who are afflicted and those who do not understand.
 
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lamb7

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I will admit I am upset from it. I came on CF to help with OCD and connect with fellow Christ followers. This is the first time I convoed with people like me and it has been so encouraging for mw and those I have talked to. I guess I am More surprised by this...I get itfrom the outside it seems fake, or stupid or oh get over it etc.....I am trying to explain and help the unlearned understand.

I hate how mental illness is picked on but if I had an illness that made me crippled or whatever, that is acceptable. As CRAZY as this is I remember telling my mom I would trade OCD to have a physical illness so people would at least be more nice to me and loving. Sad I know.

I was thinking this morning, I am shocked that other Chrisitans are this ignorant on this, it is 2017! Not 1800....Heck the secular world gets it. I assumed the Christ like folk above all would understand. Boy was I wrong and do I feel dumb.

I agree it could be a lack of knowledge on their part, which is why I am patient and explain in a loving way what mental illness is, maybe they will learn I have been very ignorant in the past on issues until someome shined the light for me.

Meds help I am sorry... but if you had diabetes would you skip insulin and just have faith you dont need it? Or skip dialysis? No. Many have died with that thinking in the past.


I have been told it's lack of faith above all and demons. Never was told I was not saved. :groupray:
 
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Andben

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Yeah... I get frustrated too. Especially when other people tell me to get over it or that the reason I am not over it is because I do not have enough faith. Would you tell a depressed person to cheer up? Or a diabetic to sneak some sweets? No. But people come up with simple solutions to problems that they do not have. Remember what Christ said to his disciples about the blind man. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus replied: Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Perhaps think of it this way, perhaps the reason we are afflicted with this is so that the power God and displayed through us, through our reliance on God. Or maybe, God can be using you to bridge the gap between mental illness and our faith that you can lend your hand to those who are afflicted and those who do not understand.

Very interesting, having been recently slammed with mental issues (anxiety\OCD\panic) in the past year I've often wondered why me??? I was just some normal guy before with no issues to speak of. Now it's a struggle daily.

I honestly never knew how bad this could be or affect a person. Until it affected me. In turn, I've felt very sympathetic towards other people with mental issues, I just didn't understand before. One thing is for sure, most people don't fully understand how mental issue can affect you. Issues like this need more recognition .

Really make you think about how this all ties into the big picture (Gods plan for you).
 
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