How does your religion deal with mental illnesses?

PassionFruit said:

You mean like why some people have mental illnesses?

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Yes. Does God have a purpose for mental illness?

PassionFruit said:

3.) Does your religion say that mental illnesses aren't caused by demons and that seeking psychiatric health or medication is perfectly acceptable.

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Yes. Though I would add the words "while following good judgment" to the end of that sentence.

E.g., medications have side-effects, and their use may just paper over what are non-chemical issues. Medications are unfortunately handed out far too easily these days.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Originally Posted by PassionFruit

Rannoch said:

Yes. Does God have a purpose for mental illness?

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PassionFruit and Rannoch, I can not speak for why others have mental illness, but I can attempt to explain my case.

My therapist told me that dissociative identity disorder is a defence mechanism against sustained abuse and/or isolation. It's like super Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When I was a pre-teen, I had the (mis)fortune to be around sociopaths. There was a lot of violence, fear, humiliation and isolation. I couldn't physically fight these people. I didn't have any money to pay for protection and/or leave the area. My parents seemed oblivious to what was happening. The way I dealt with this was to go inward and eventually create other parts of my personality which could deal with the chaos. When I reached my mid-late teens, the violence stopped but not the isolation and anger. Anytime I attempted to reach out, I got humiliated and rejected.

Things didnt change until I went to college where I met people who were more sane and not trying to hurt me. I learned that most people weren't dangerous, but it was too late; damage had been done. The ways I learned to cope with childhood and adolescense were crippling me as an adult. I wanted what most adults want: a job/career; friends, relationships. I didnt even know who or what I was, how could I achieve what I wanted? I had large blocks of time missing from my memory and I was afraid of people.

I didn't get a correct diagnosis until I was in my early 40's. They first thought I was bipolar, because of mood swings and other symptoms. DID is hard to diagnose because some mental health workers have never seen it and some dont believe it exists. Books like Sybil and Rabbit Howls do not help, because they sensationalise the symptoms and put a Hollywood spin on it for entertainment. Shows like Oprah dont tell you that dissociation is a continuum; it comes in degrees and not all of us are 'mad as hatters'. The abuse doesn't have to be as extreme (and in the Rabbit Howls case, fatal if all those things really happen). It is the continual stress without a break or resolution that produces dissociation.

I'm 46 now and I'm finally learning who I am and how to relate to people. I'm planning on returning to school and getting degrees in computer science and/or medical assisting. I have a desire to help others and I think I have something to contribute to society. I see DID not so much as an disability as much as a mark of survival. I should be dead or insane, but I'm here alive and functioning.

Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.


Rhyddid Rose Rhys

PassionFruit said:

I would ask, why would God have a purpose for mental illnesses?

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Well, He allows it to exist, so I've got to imagine it's there for some reason.

And rhyddid_rose, thank you for sharing your story. I like how you term it, not a "disability as much as a mark of survival."

The problem I've always had with religion and mental illness is the implications of mental illness upon my understanding of 'free will'.

If someone is compelled by mental illness to act a certain way, does this impact upon conscience and the will to act

franklin said:

Must be those demons eh?

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I was thinking more along the lines of the chip we implanted in your head to read your thoughts.

franklin said:

Ever hear about that brass serpent statue in the OT?

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No. But just think about if for a while so I can tune our monitors

PassionFruit said:

I was wondering how does your religion deal with mental illnesses? (You know like schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety disorder, etc).

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Since I'm an atheist and non-religious, the only logical means for seeking a cure for mental illness would be to seek professional help and not depend on religious superstitious guru's for any counseling whatsoever.

PassionFruit said:

1.) Does your religious beliefs teach you that mental illnesses are caused by demons? Or some other supernatural force.

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Again, as an atheist, supernatural forces are purely imaginary and go no further than the mind. They are myths formed out of ignorance and superstition.

PassionFruit said:

2.) Does your religion tell you that mental illnesses are not caused by demons, however, reject modern treatments for them such as medication or seeking some psychiatric health. Instead, just teach that you should pray to God to help cure you.

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PassionFruit said:

3.) Does your religion say that mental illnesses aren't caused by demons and that seeking psychiatric health or medication is perfectly acceptable.

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As I said in the beginning, seeking professional help is the most logical and rational means for treatment of mental illnesses. Depending on the severity of a persons condition, I have no problems with properly prescribed medications and drugs by a verified professional.

Montalban said:

The problem I've always had with religion and mental illness is the implications of mental illness upon my understanding of 'free will'.

If someone is compelled by mental illness to act a certain way, does this impact upon conscience and the will to act

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You can find some useful information here:

http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b02.en.orthodox_psychotherapy.00.htm

Our very own Hierotheos of Nafpaktos has some insight on the issue. I have read some bits and pieces so I cannot fully comment.
From what I gathered though whatever would help "healing" the mind to make some sound decisions... I think it is valuable. We do not reject medication if it helps the person to restore his capability to "think straight" I think. But also meanwhile Orthodoxy offers other means to healing that help the individual find healing....