R
Roxygirl1488
Guest
yea email me at pinkpixxydust@aol.com
- Status
J
joshsr2001
Guest
Hey. Im new here… I was diagnosed 8 yrs ago with bipolar 1 disorder. I’ve been off my meds for 8 months now, and im struggling to stay alive. Suicide haunts my thoughts day and night. Even in my dreams. Im having issues that I think stemmed from childhood, playing on a ouji board. I now have two kids, my daughter is 5 and son is 2. My daughter just finished chemotherapy after having a tumor removed last october. A month before her tumor came on, she was talking to me about seeing scary “shadows” I really need some help I think Im under attack. I’ve went to a local Christian church and asked for help but when I brought up the paranormal things going on they didnt want much to do with it. If anyone knows how I can get in contact with Father Chad Ripperger or someone who can help me please let me know. Im located in Northwest Arkansas.
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BluesPicker
Guest
joshsr2001,
Peace in Christ,
BP
Code:
Check with your local Catholic diocese, first. Call the Chancery and ask to speak to the Vice-Chancellor. I don't know where Fr. Ripperberger is; but, any priest devoted to the ministry of deliverance can help you.BP
P
pwlj_christ87
Guest
I believe bi polar is a strong sign that there is some sort of demonic possession… I myself have been hospitalized in the past and now come to think of it I believe I was possessed by an evil spirit…
a healthy spiritual person is calm , secure… evne though he or she may have mental issues it doesn’t entail running with evil thoughts and what not…
a healthy spiritual person is calm , secure… evne though he or she may have mental issues it doesn’t entail running with evil thoughts and what not…
F
fred_conty
Guest
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter, that is so sad. I will pray for her, your son, and you tonight. I will put you and the children under the protection of our blessed mother Mary.
Please call the bishop’s office and ask to speak with a priest. If they ask you what it is about, just say it is personal. Then tell the priest your story and ask if you may speak with an exorcist priest or his phone number.
May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
B
BluesPicker
Guest
To Josh2001
]archstl.org/renewal/page/healing-deliverance-ministry
Pax Christi,
BP
Code:
Several years ago, a family got help with this Catholic ministry:
Code:
This is really a good group.BP
S
SinnersAnonymus
Guest
Alright, first I want to point out that it is not good to dwell on the demonic for any length of time. It is like sentient radioactive toxic waste with heat seeking properties. When you are around it, talk about it, or think about it you have a chance to get their attention. It is like radiation in that you will not usually notice the effects immediately but over time they can influence your thoughts and/or feelings. There is no reason to become overly fearful or superstitious. The Church has given us plenty of guidelines, teachings, and most importantly sacraments and sacramentals (things like excised salt and water) to protect us.
Confession is the best sacrament out there to rid oneself of demonic activity. Exorcists and priests agree that a good confession is stronger than an exorcism.
As far as mental illnesses, it is my experience working in mental health that the demonic are real and like to hid behind or cause mental problems. Often they remind me of opportunistic parasites taking advantage of a person’s past trauma, sins or naturally occurring illness and making it worse. I cannot say definitively that they are the sole cause but they are definitely a factor that needs to be taken into account when dealing with a patient.
In my own experiences I learned that my bipolar symptoms disappeared as I developed a richer prayer life, attended daily mass and made regular confessions. Mind you, at this point I had just come back into the Church after discovering some of the demonic activity in people I was working with. Out of a desire for protection, I did as many things as I could to defend myself from the spiritual onslaught of discovering the hidden nature of the diabolical in some of the peoples lives.
For years I had been going to therapy and sought treatment. My experience with bipolar was the reason for joining the mental health field to begin with. At some point I must have been able to deal with whatever gave these things the opportunity to get ahold of my mind. Between healthy counseling (identifying my issues) and spiritual direction (finding healthy ways of dealing with thoughts) I made an opportunity for God to heal me. The medication I feel acted as a stabilizer until then but I was able to lower it slowly when I noticed the symptoms disappear with my doctor before going off completely (Even medical professionals should not self-regulate medication).
joshsr2001: Do not give up hope and keep looking for a good priest for advisement. The first few priests I sought out either did not really believe in demonic activity or they did not want to deal with it (which made no sense to me since they gave confessions). We live in a world of doubt today and many times the supernatural is rationalized or tossed into mental health. The problem is there are people who fake it for whatever reason. Also, there are medications and mental conditions which can mimic symptoms of demonic activity.
I hope that you did you go off you medicine without your doctors approval (An answer is not needed on a public forum). Keep in mind that while not perfect medication can help stabilize a patient’s emotional state. Do not give into your thoughts, whether or not if the thoughts are from you or the diabolical it is a horrible and sad thought to kill yourself. I have dealt with suicidal thoughts and know how devastating they can be. A good friend of mine (an Episcopalian) and I found giving your pains, fears, doubts etc to Christ before Communion and then saying a little prayer helped tremendously with suicidal thoughts. If you have messed with the occult I would recommend confessing it to a priest. I personally know of other situations that involved “shadow people” after occult usage. I cannot say in the context of forum posts if this is a cry for attention, biologically caused or legitimate demonic activity.
My own experience has led me to try to recommend several things to people suffering legitimate demonic activity. I try to have the family baptized (baptism is a form of protection) into the Church, have their confessions made (best way to remove demonic attachment), and start daily mass attendance (or as much as work and situations allow, communion is very powerful) and daily rosaries (the humble rosary is very effective at dealing with stubborn attacks). Regular solid spiritual direction is a must for the family as well since legitimate demonic activity will try to prevent any movement closer to God.
I am not giving professional advice but rather suggesting that you should seek help from some professionals (medical and religious) that can meet with you and talk to you further.
Through trial and error I discovered the Catholic Faith to be very effective at dealing with demonic activity. The demonic have fallen from God and wish to take us with them. A strong prayer life and good Catholic living provides excellent protection. Again, referring to my original paragraph I do not like to (nor do I suggest to) dwell on the diabolical for any length of time for many reasons.
I am going to step away from the thread for a bit since I get a fair bit of spiritual backlash trying to uncover how hidden these things are in people’s lives on a regular basis as it is. My wife often is the first to notice when I am not acting or feeling myself (headaches, racing thoughts, unusual thoughts, feelings, behaviors I normally do not have; all of which are temporary (lasting a day or less) and diminish or disappear completely during prayer) My spiritual director has warned me they will retaliate for any effort to help those who are under their afflictions. So now that I kicked a hornet nest I am going to seek out an adoration hour.
God Bless
Confession is the best sacrament out there to rid oneself of demonic activity. Exorcists and priests agree that a good confession is stronger than an exorcism.
As far as mental illnesses, it is my experience working in mental health that the demonic are real and like to hid behind or cause mental problems. Often they remind me of opportunistic parasites taking advantage of a person’s past trauma, sins or naturally occurring illness and making it worse. I cannot say definitively that they are the sole cause but they are definitely a factor that needs to be taken into account when dealing with a patient.
In my own experiences I learned that my bipolar symptoms disappeared as I developed a richer prayer life, attended daily mass and made regular confessions. Mind you, at this point I had just come back into the Church after discovering some of the demonic activity in people I was working with. Out of a desire for protection, I did as many things as I could to defend myself from the spiritual onslaught of discovering the hidden nature of the diabolical in some of the peoples lives.
For years I had been going to therapy and sought treatment. My experience with bipolar was the reason for joining the mental health field to begin with. At some point I must have been able to deal with whatever gave these things the opportunity to get ahold of my mind. Between healthy counseling (identifying my issues) and spiritual direction (finding healthy ways of dealing with thoughts) I made an opportunity for God to heal me. The medication I feel acted as a stabilizer until then but I was able to lower it slowly when I noticed the symptoms disappear with my doctor before going off completely (Even medical professionals should not self-regulate medication).
joshsr2001: Do not give up hope and keep looking for a good priest for advisement. The first few priests I sought out either did not really believe in demonic activity or they did not want to deal with it (which made no sense to me since they gave confessions). We live in a world of doubt today and many times the supernatural is rationalized or tossed into mental health. The problem is there are people who fake it for whatever reason. Also, there are medications and mental conditions which can mimic symptoms of demonic activity.
I hope that you did you go off you medicine without your doctors approval (An answer is not needed on a public forum). Keep in mind that while not perfect medication can help stabilize a patient’s emotional state. Do not give into your thoughts, whether or not if the thoughts are from you or the diabolical it is a horrible and sad thought to kill yourself. I have dealt with suicidal thoughts and know how devastating they can be. A good friend of mine (an Episcopalian) and I found giving your pains, fears, doubts etc to Christ before Communion and then saying a little prayer helped tremendously with suicidal thoughts. If you have messed with the occult I would recommend confessing it to a priest. I personally know of other situations that involved “shadow people” after occult usage. I cannot say in the context of forum posts if this is a cry for attention, biologically caused or legitimate demonic activity.
My own experience has led me to try to recommend several things to people suffering legitimate demonic activity. I try to have the family baptized (baptism is a form of protection) into the Church, have their confessions made (best way to remove demonic attachment), and start daily mass attendance (or as much as work and situations allow, communion is very powerful) and daily rosaries (the humble rosary is very effective at dealing with stubborn attacks). Regular solid spiritual direction is a must for the family as well since legitimate demonic activity will try to prevent any movement closer to God.
I am not giving professional advice but rather suggesting that you should seek help from some professionals (medical and religious) that can meet with you and talk to you further.
Through trial and error I discovered the Catholic Faith to be very effective at dealing with demonic activity. The demonic have fallen from God and wish to take us with them. A strong prayer life and good Catholic living provides excellent protection. Again, referring to my original paragraph I do not like to (nor do I suggest to) dwell on the diabolical for any length of time for many reasons.
I am going to step away from the thread for a bit since I get a fair bit of spiritual backlash trying to uncover how hidden these things are in people’s lives on a regular basis as it is. My wife often is the first to notice when I am not acting or feeling myself (headaches, racing thoughts, unusual thoughts, feelings, behaviors I normally do not have; all of which are temporary (lasting a day or less) and diminish or disappear completely during prayer) My spiritual director has warned me they will retaliate for any effort to help those who are under their afflictions. So now that I kicked a hornet nest I am going to seek out an adoration hour.
God Bless
J
joshsr2001
Guest
Thank you so much for the info. Lots of good stuff here I can use. My doctors dont know I went off my meds. Im currently trying to wean myself off the addictive one I’ve abused for the last 8 years. On the 12th of Oct I had a seizure as a result of not having the medication in my system for 2 days… its a horrible drug and doing nothing but adding to all my other troubles. My wife and I prayed for the first time last night outloud together. I think it helped quite a bit. I can not pray by myself for some reason. My thoughts dont stay together long enough to finish a prayer. She is going to continue to pray with my nightly to see if we can get past this. Its been pretty bad but something has happened or someone is praying for me because I found this site and found that Im not “crazy”
S
Shin
Guest
Hang in there josh! 
There’s nothing like prayers, and folks helping with them!
There’s nothing like prayers, and folks helping with them!
I
imark2013
Guest
Hey Guys. Bipolar Affective Disorder is a serious mental illness…don’t let anyone tell you it is not! It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Professional help is needed as soon as a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis is made, or you will be at serious risk of self harm or harming others.
That is not to say that Spiritual help is not valuable, it is of course. A combination of Medication, Talking Therapies, and Spiritual support is essential to keeping well, Catholic or not.
I speak from a lifetime of personal experience, and am really scared when I see mention of Demonic possession, which is mediaeval and archaic Its not a punishment from God, its an organic Brain disorder… I beg you, recognise that you ARE ill and seek the best professional medical help available. Then speak with your priest if you wish. You are in my thoughts and prayers, God bless and keep you always.
That is not to say that Spiritual help is not valuable, it is of course. A combination of Medication, Talking Therapies, and Spiritual support is essential to keeping well, Catholic or not.
I speak from a lifetime of personal experience, and am really scared when I see mention of Demonic possession, which is mediaeval and archaic Its not a punishment from God, its an organic Brain disorder… I beg you, recognise that you ARE ill and seek the best professional medical help available. Then speak with your priest if you wish. You are in my thoughts and prayers, God bless and keep you always.
S
SinnersAnonymus
Guest
Ok I do not want to dwell on this much but I would like to clarify a few things.
For example, a schizophrenic I knew who was suffering horribly from voices which tormented them. Therapy was not producing any effect and even with increased medication the person was going to end up institutionalized if their downward spiral continued. I decided to pray a rosary with them and more voices they never heard before surfaced and told them they were defiling the rosary and everything I was saying was lies. The individual was shocked by this and decided to take my advice and continued praying a rosary daily and scheduled confession with a local priest. The really dark voices disappeared and they improved dramatically. They still hear previously existing benign voices and take medication but they have been able function much better and are much happier now. It was an amazing change in behavior and thoughts which occurred. They still need medication but far less than before, and their rapid turn around caused their spouse to go and reconcile with the Church. I found out later that the dark voices were a recent phenomena (this person had been diagnosed as a teenager) and they occurred several years after walking away form the Church. Today, I am glad to say, I see them every week on Sundays and they have had many miraculous events happen to them (their finances have improved, their household is much more peaceful, they have repaired relationships within their family and many other gifts from God have occurred to them over the past two years).
This is one of many people who have taught me that the God factor is not trivial compared to the medical factor when trying to help a person suffering from mental illness.
Again I refer to my previous post’s warning that dwelling on the demonic is not beneficial. I also want to warn the dealing with the demonic is **very dangerous **and requires very good spiritual direction. This is something I highly caution people to avoid treating carelessly.
God Bless:compcoff:
- Mental illnesses are indeed very serious disorders which is why I recommend seeing professionals that include both groups (religious and medical). The mind, body, and soul are connected and what affects one may affect the rest. The best advice I have seen was back in the 1960’s by a psychologist that recommended that the doctor, counselor and priest should work together to help ease a persons suffering. Easy in theory, hard to put in practice but it can yield very positive results from what I have seen.
- The nature of mental illnesses is very complicated, requiring knowledge of many different disciplines to pick apart what may be the cause. Often the cause is unidentifiable but one should look anyway. Buried past traumas, parasitic infections, genetic disorders, heavy metal toxicity, endocrine issues, and tumors are a few of the various issues that one can uncover in the mental health field. Many times these can be overlooked due to the way the profession handles patients.
- Demonic possession is rare but it is not a punishment from God. The reason why the demonic can get ahold of someone is complicated and not always straight forward but the exorcists (for example, Gabriele Amorth) go into this is more if one wants to do further reading.
- Demonic activity on the other hand is not rare and can affect anyone, Saints or sinners. Padre Pio was tormented at night on a regular basis and Christ was tempted directly. The trick is to have good spiritual direction, a good prayer life, and healthy Christian living to minimize and recognize their affects on your life. The problem is they are creatures that wish to remain hidden and will make every effort to remain so. However, there is a lot of writings in the Church by people who we do not view as medieval or archaic that point out to the realities of demonic activity in peoples lives. People such as our Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, and John Paul II all talk about the realities of the evil-one. To be fair, I felt the evil-one didn’t even exist some years back and this was all silly superstition. I have since learned otherwise the hard way.
For example, a schizophrenic I knew who was suffering horribly from voices which tormented them. Therapy was not producing any effect and even with increased medication the person was going to end up institutionalized if their downward spiral continued. I decided to pray a rosary with them and more voices they never heard before surfaced and told them they were defiling the rosary and everything I was saying was lies. The individual was shocked by this and decided to take my advice and continued praying a rosary daily and scheduled confession with a local priest. The really dark voices disappeared and they improved dramatically. They still hear previously existing benign voices and take medication but they have been able function much better and are much happier now. It was an amazing change in behavior and thoughts which occurred. They still need medication but far less than before, and their rapid turn around caused their spouse to go and reconcile with the Church. I found out later that the dark voices were a recent phenomena (this person had been diagnosed as a teenager) and they occurred several years after walking away form the Church. Today, I am glad to say, I see them every week on Sundays and they have had many miraculous events happen to them (their finances have improved, their household is much more peaceful, they have repaired relationships within their family and many other gifts from God have occurred to them over the past two years).
This is one of many people who have taught me that the God factor is not trivial compared to the medical factor when trying to help a person suffering from mental illness.
Again I refer to my previous post’s warning that dwelling on the demonic is not beneficial. I also want to warn the dealing with the demonic is **very dangerous **and requires very good spiritual direction. This is something I highly caution people to avoid treating carelessly.
God Bless:compcoff:
S
silver2soul
Guest
As I have said before; “if there are no physical abnormalities or complications then what else could it be?”
If JESUS the son of GOD says there are demons, then there ARE demons!!
Many of the complications that we perceive as physical ailments and problems are contributed if not downright influenced or created by the enemy. The scientific world which includes some of the medical experts gives us a pill for every ill, and believe that their is a medical/science reason for everything. It is because they are blinded to the truth, blinded to the enemies tactics and do not really understand, simply because they trust in their own understanding instead of in…
**John 14:6-10
New International Version (NIV)**
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Put your trust in GOD not in man; the scriptures state. Many of the health issues we have today have originated from sources created by the enemy and sin. Pollution, intoxicants, hazardous chemicals, processed foods, etc. If we were to eradicate all of things man processes and creates from these processes we would be a lot healthier. if we all truly loved one another unconditionally we would be healthier. Our independence strives for power and hording the impractical or illogical; which is our weakness. Potential comes from grace of GOD through his son lord JESUS CHRIST and love. Love of GOD and his son JESUS and love for our neighbors.
“Can you imagine if we ALL loved one another unconditionally how better off we would be?” We fall short of this just like we are told…
**James 4:1-10
New International Version (NIV)
Submit Yourselves to God**
4 ***What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us**? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.***
The enemy will use what ever weakness and tactics there in against us. Do NOT let the enemy in, do NOT let the enemy encamp or ensnare you. Live wisely, and not unwisely. Leaning not on your own understanding, but on the grace of GOD through his son lord JESUS CHRIST.
Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>**
If JESUS the son of GOD says there are demons, then there ARE demons!!
Many of the complications that we perceive as physical ailments and problems are contributed if not downright influenced or created by the enemy. The scientific world which includes some of the medical experts gives us a pill for every ill, and believe that their is a medical/science reason for everything. It is because they are blinded to the truth, blinded to the enemies tactics and do not really understand, simply because they trust in their own understanding instead of in…
**John 14:6-10
New International Version (NIV)**
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Put your trust in GOD not in man; the scriptures state. Many of the health issues we have today have originated from sources created by the enemy and sin. Pollution, intoxicants, hazardous chemicals, processed foods, etc. If we were to eradicate all of things man processes and creates from these processes we would be a lot healthier. if we all truly loved one another unconditionally we would be healthier. Our independence strives for power and hording the impractical or illogical; which is our weakness. Potential comes from grace of GOD through his son lord JESUS CHRIST and love. Love of GOD and his son JESUS and love for our neighbors.
“Can you imagine if we ALL loved one another unconditionally how better off we would be?” We fall short of this just like we are told…
**James 4:1-10
New International Version (NIV)
Submit Yourselves to God**
4 ***What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us**? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.***
The enemy will use what ever weakness and tactics there in against us. Do NOT let the enemy in, do NOT let the enemy encamp or ensnare you. Live wisely, and not unwisely. Leaning not on your own understanding, but on the grace of GOD through his son lord JESUS CHRIST.
Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>**
I
imark2013
Guest
Suffering? Pain? Death? Preferable to proper help in distress? Oh dear…thanks be to God that I have the sense to ask for help when I need it…when I am sick and tormented…What is written here is dangerous and people may die…as they have done already from trusting in exorcism mumbo jumbo. Do you know how many people are seriously ill as a result of not taking their medication on the advice of a “minister” How many have died?
No doubt you think that’s the will of God…
I will not read or write more here…I despair…
No doubt you think that’s the will of God…
I will not read or write more here…I despair…
S
SinnersAnonymus
Guest
The danger exists on both sides of the fence. It is not wise to disregard science as it is not wise to disregard faith.
There is indeed a great risk to ignoring the help that the medical profession has to offer. There is also the risk that legitimate spiritual issues will be ignored by the medical profession.
There is a balance one has to achieve in life and not jump to conclusions any one particular field has all the answers.
One should be cautious of ignoring sound advice and practical treatment from any profession (medical or religious).
A posting of mine from another thread:
It is not sinful to take a medication designed to try to help someone to the best of modern science’s ability. I understand the concern given the varying therapeutic index (how helpful vs. how harmful a drug is) of psychoactive drugs. However, it is not good to stop taking medication without your doctors permission, your biochemical processes become dependent on these drugs and sudden removal is unhealthy and even dangerous.
I want to point out that it is easy to fall into one group or another (biological vs. psychological) when trying to understand mental disorders. I caution against this as the mind is very complex and there are many examples to show it depends on the person. A good example is Depression, you can make the person feel better through drugs however, you cannot remove their thoughts or conditioning through drugs. If the person is suicidal, antidepressants can make them more motivated to follow through with their thoughts (Thus the reason antidepressants have a black box warning).
The question can be stated: are the feelings (Biology) causing the thoughts (Psychology), or are the thoughts causing the feelings? In answering this question, there is a third component which is often neglected in this field and that is the spiritual perspective. The tradition of the Catholic Church points out that thoughts and feelings can be from three sources: Heavenly powers, yourself, and the diabolical. The best way to discern your thoughts and experiences is through solid spiritual direction and an active prayer life.
This is often where in the field of psychology falls short because the field often leans towards denying these facts of the Church. Now it is possible individuals in the field to be able to acknowledge spiritual issues are legitimate however, the field itself tends to make an effort to teach its future and current professionals such ideas are antiquated and superstitious.
In the end the mind, body, and soul are inexorably connected while one is alive. It is important to take care of the Temple of the Holy Spirit (body) through healthy living, and to take care of ones mind/soul through good Christian living, spiritual direction, and healthy counseling and therapy if needed.
God Bless
There is indeed a great risk to ignoring the help that the medical profession has to offer. There is also the risk that legitimate spiritual issues will be ignored by the medical profession.
There is a balance one has to achieve in life and not jump to conclusions any one particular field has all the answers.
One should be cautious of ignoring sound advice and practical treatment from any profession (medical or religious).
A posting of mine from another thread:
It is not sinful to take a medication designed to try to help someone to the best of modern science’s ability. I understand the concern given the varying therapeutic index (how helpful vs. how harmful a drug is) of psychoactive drugs. However, it is not good to stop taking medication without your doctors permission, your biochemical processes become dependent on these drugs and sudden removal is unhealthy and even dangerous.
I want to point out that it is easy to fall into one group or another (biological vs. psychological) when trying to understand mental disorders. I caution against this as the mind is very complex and there are many examples to show it depends on the person. A good example is Depression, you can make the person feel better through drugs however, you cannot remove their thoughts or conditioning through drugs. If the person is suicidal, antidepressants can make them more motivated to follow through with their thoughts (Thus the reason antidepressants have a black box warning).
The question can be stated: are the feelings (Biology) causing the thoughts (Psychology), or are the thoughts causing the feelings? In answering this question, there is a third component which is often neglected in this field and that is the spiritual perspective. The tradition of the Catholic Church points out that thoughts and feelings can be from three sources: Heavenly powers, yourself, and the diabolical. The best way to discern your thoughts and experiences is through solid spiritual direction and an active prayer life.
This is often where in the field of psychology falls short because the field often leans towards denying these facts of the Church. Now it is possible individuals in the field to be able to acknowledge spiritual issues are legitimate however, the field itself tends to make an effort to teach its future and current professionals such ideas are antiquated and superstitious.
In the end the mind, body, and soul are inexorably connected while one is alive. It is important to take care of the Temple of the Holy Spirit (body) through healthy living, and to take care of ones mind/soul through good Christian living, spiritual direction, and healthy counseling and therapy if needed.
God Bless
P
pwlj_christ87
Guest
wonderful posts above espiecally from our brother or sister with the long information!
I have been institutionalized and suffered from voices as well. I know that these were demonic forces. Prayers and rosaries were said for me.
The best medicine is the Church. Confession, prayer and the eucharist. I could have gone to infinite therapy sessions and taken all the medication in the world it is god that has healed me through the Holy Spirit.
I have been institutionalized and suffered from voices as well. I know that these were demonic forces. Prayers and rosaries were said for me.
The best medicine is the Church. Confession, prayer and the eucharist. I could have gone to infinite therapy sessions and taken all the medication in the world it is god that has healed me through the Holy Spirit.
T
tafan
Guest
There seems to be a lot of intermixing of the terms possession and obsession. I am fairly confident they are two distinct things.
J
josephback
Guest
I would tell your doctors what you’ve done, in all sincerity. They can help and at least monitor you as you wean yourself off.
I was diagnosed with Major Depression with psychotic features some years back, and as a result got put on both an anti-depressant and an anti-psychotic. The anti-psychotic was for not eating or drinking or talking, and that’s fixed, but I still take it because absent a doctor’s oversight I don’t want to suffer the possible bad effects of dropping it. Another person I know went off theirs and got re-hospitalized. Taking medicine is a way to avoid that. Best of luck to you and welcome to CAF!
L
lovemary2
Guest
Hi,
This is my first time posting on this site, and I’m so glad I found it. I have a loved one
who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia last year and who has recently been allowed by his dr. to get off of his meds after being on them for about 6 months. They worked very well for him. Since even his negative symptoms have been so much better, he put pressure on his dr. to allow him to get off of his meds because he wants to leave the state. He was under the assumption that he wouldn’t be able to get his meds for free if he left. He also absolutely hated the fact that he put on weight. I also believe that he has anosognosia which is a lack of insight instead of denial.
“Sinners Anonymous” I’ve been very interested in your insight into this since you work in the mental health field. Recently a friend of mine went to a healing retreat by Fr. Yozefu–‘family tree’ healing. She informed me that they mentioned that schizophrenia and other illnesses can be a result of bondage (e.g. family generational bondage) so I’ve been praying the spiritual warfare prayers from the www.catholicwarriors.com site. My loved one was in the seminary for a year since he was a very devout Catholic (about 4 yrs. ago), but when he got out he did almost a complete 360 degree turn and got out of Catholicism completely. It shocked everyone! He joined the New Age and a couple of years ago, he said he wanted to travel so he left and there was a period of several months when we didn’t know where he was and by the grace of God he came back home after having some bad things happen to him but at least he’s alive. This past year, he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia (which I couldn’t believe for some time). I thought it was because he got into the New Age since he really started to do some strange things. Now that he’s off of his meds again, he’s starting to talk again about ‘energy’ and some New Age ideas. If I mention Christianity, he gets upset and he’s starting to want to be alone again. We’re all worrying that he’ll relapse and especially since he’s talking so much about going far away to another state (with no job and not much money). Can anyone please tell me what you think this may be (demonic from his involvement with New Age or just another symptom of the illness?) The drs. had said when he was in the hospital that his N.Age involvement would probably go away the longer he was on the meds and I don’t recall any talk at all about the New Age from him until now. He’s been off for a couple of weeks now. Any advice, thoughts on what you think this is? Also, please pray for him! Things are starting to not look so good again.
God bless!
This is my first time posting on this site, and I’m so glad I found it. I have a loved one
who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia last year and who has recently been allowed by his dr. to get off of his meds after being on them for about 6 months. They worked very well for him. Since even his negative symptoms have been so much better, he put pressure on his dr. to allow him to get off of his meds because he wants to leave the state. He was under the assumption that he wouldn’t be able to get his meds for free if he left. He also absolutely hated the fact that he put on weight. I also believe that he has anosognosia which is a lack of insight instead of denial.
“Sinners Anonymous” I’ve been very interested in your insight into this since you work in the mental health field. Recently a friend of mine went to a healing retreat by Fr. Yozefu–‘family tree’ healing. She informed me that they mentioned that schizophrenia and other illnesses can be a result of bondage (e.g. family generational bondage) so I’ve been praying the spiritual warfare prayers from the www.catholicwarriors.com site. My loved one was in the seminary for a year since he was a very devout Catholic (about 4 yrs. ago), but when he got out he did almost a complete 360 degree turn and got out of Catholicism completely. It shocked everyone! He joined the New Age and a couple of years ago, he said he wanted to travel so he left and there was a period of several months when we didn’t know where he was and by the grace of God he came back home after having some bad things happen to him but at least he’s alive. This past year, he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia (which I couldn’t believe for some time). I thought it was because he got into the New Age since he really started to do some strange things. Now that he’s off of his meds again, he’s starting to talk again about ‘energy’ and some New Age ideas. If I mention Christianity, he gets upset and he’s starting to want to be alone again. We’re all worrying that he’ll relapse and especially since he’s talking so much about going far away to another state (with no job and not much money). Can anyone please tell me what you think this may be (demonic from his involvement with New Age or just another symptom of the illness?) The drs. had said when he was in the hospital that his N.Age involvement would probably go away the longer he was on the meds and I don’t recall any talk at all about the New Age from him until now. He’s been off for a couple of weeks now. Any advice, thoughts on what you think this is? Also, please pray for him! Things are starting to not look so good again.
God bless!
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