"Do you have a history of depression or anxiety?"

[Epistemes]

I had thought to come here in order to rant about how most Orders won’t allow you join if you have a history of depression or anxiety, but I won’t - regardless, let me just say that God does call people to ordained ministry and religious life who have a history of depression and anxiety. When the Orders accept this, and accept that their friars, brothers and sisters are capable of great deeds in spite of needing to take a Zoloft on Tuesdays and Fridays, then the laborers in the vineyard might be greater. When the Orders stop treating people with depression as if they raped a small child, saying, “Please come back in 5 years,” as if they’re talking to a dog with the mange, it really gets me to thinking if the Orders aren’t just some elitist country club rather than a brotherhood and sisterhood where “mothers and sons” (to use the eremetical language of St. Francis) co-exist together.

Slight rant…

 

[LilyM]

I’ve never met someone suffering from any type of depression who merely has to ‘take a Zoloft every Tuesday and Thursday’. You’re understating what is required for its successful treatment there.

Moreover I’ve never met anyone who’s had depression who’s had it only once in their lives either. It recurs - and that’s a legitimate reason for them to be somewhat cautious, although I agree it shouldn’t by itself be a deal-breaker or anything.

And I’ve met several priests who are totally burned out with depression and anxiety who possibly should never have been let into the priesthood in the first place if they had a history of it before joining.

Now it may well be that it’s not the depression or anxiety per se, but those combined with other issues that rear their heads during screening that raise some concerns for those doing the screening.

 

[withwind]

And I’ve met several priests who are totally burned out with depression and anxiety

I read a book called “the Joy of Priesthood”; the author did not go into each priest’s life regarding their problem in this book, but the book shows that there have been many priests who got problem with depression, anxiety, and addiction. They have to go through lots of treatments.

 

[Hopeful23]

I’ve suffered from depression for more than half my life in relation to my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (clinically diagnosed on both). I can thankfully say that I have not had a severe episode in about two years, since I rejoined my faith and worked through the problems behind my PTSD… so to say that you can’t overcome depression is not entirely correct… it just takes time and a lot of prayer.

 

[withwind]

I’ve suffered from depression for more than half my life in relation to my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (clinically diagnosed on both). I can thankfully say that I have not had a severe episode in about two years, since I rejoined my faith and worked through the problems behind my PTSD… so to say that you can’t overcome depression is not entirely correct… it just takes time and a lot of prayer.

I am glad to know that you are lots better. You probably recognize this problem and how it might have affected you and maybe those around you.

 

[LilyM]

I’ve suffered from depression for more than half my life in relation to my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (clinically diagnosed on both). I can thankfully say that I have not had a severe episode in about two years, since I rejoined my faith and worked through the problems behind my PTSD… so to say that you can’t overcome depression is not entirely correct… it just takes time and a lot of prayer.

Congratulations on your progress.

Must be said, though, after two years with no visible symptoms a doctor wouldn’t call most cancers cured, neither can you with any certainty assert that your depression is overcome entirely either after that relatively short space of time.

 

[Hopeful23]

That is true, I hadn’t thought of that… it would be unfair to subject others to the mood swings I had and depression has a way of hurting relationships beyond breaking at times… it is a difficult thing to consider, but if there has been a significant improvement in the behavior and it has been demonstrated over time then I don’t think there should be a problem.

 

[TeresaAnn]

Hello, I think it is a vast generalization to say that anyone who has suffered depression or anxiety would negatively affect those around them. Mood disorders are complicated and many people act in different ways when depressed or anxious. There are also various degrees of sickness, it is not a black and white situation.

Myself, I tend to retreat, prefer time to meditate or pray and generally be alone… I have not ever acted out negatively towards others and am capable of “putting on a smiley face” when needed say in the instance of a family meal or when someone else needs my assistance or support. This pattern of behavior could fit rather well in a contemplative community setting.

In my case, this is the first time experiencing “major depression”. I am starting to think it may not be depression at all recently. I am thinking God is calling me to the religious life. My dismay at the thought of having to carry on in this world with all of it’s distractions and negativity is pretty intense. I loath working for money, material things, wasting my life on making money so that I can buy more useless things, spending time cleaning up or maintaining these things etc. The stress of the meaningless work ( I have a “good” job that pays well) the keeping up with the joneses, the waste all around us etc etc all of which is a total distraction from loving or knowing God.

That’s why the drugs aren’t working, I long to dispense of all my “stuff” and dedicate myself to God and have a truly meaningful life in service of him and those that need me.

 

[withwind]

Hi TeresaAnn, I pray for your vocation. In convent, there are also lots of distractions and negativity.

I had a vocation retreat at a religous order once, and one guy said he was “sick of the corporate world” … but the religious order which he came to discern…happens to work a lot with people in corporate world.

 

[TeresaAnn]

Hi TeresaAnn, I pray for your vocation. In convent, there are also lots of distractions and negativity.

I had a vocation retreat at a religous order once, and one guy said he was “sick of the corporate world” … but the religious order which he came to discern…happens to work a lot with people in corporate world.

Thank-you for the prayers. Yes, I suppose there is negativity everywhere (I don’t understand the why, perhaps just human nature).

I wouldn’t be too concerned with a situation like the guy working with people in the corporate world. I would probably be able to relate to them and I would see an opportunity to open some hearts.

 

[withwind]

Thank-you for the prayers. Yes, I suppose there is negativity everywhere (I don’t understand the why, perhaps just human nature).

I wouldn’t be too concerned with a situation like the guy working with people in the corporate world. I would probably be able to relate to them and I would see an opportunity to open some hearts.

Do you have a spiritual director? It is very helpful to have one to guide you in discerning your vocation in life. So far, my spiritual director is very helpful and I am learning to know myself more and relationships with others.

 

[Toribus]

I had thought to come here in order to rant about how most Orders won’t allow you join if you have a history of depression or anxiety, but I won’t - regardless, let me just say that God does call people to ordained ministry and religious life who have a history of depression and anxiety. When the Orders accept this, and accept that their friars, brothers and sisters are capable of great deeds in spite of needing to take a Zoloft on Tuesdays and Fridays, then the laborers in the vineyard might be greater. When the Orders stop treating people with depression as if they raped a small child, saying, “Please come back in 5 years,” as if they’re talking to a dog with the mange, it really gets me to thinking if the Orders aren’t just some elitist country club rather than a brotherhood and sisterhood where “mothers and sons” (to use the eremetical language of St. Francis) co-exist together.

Slight rant…

To everyone in this thread,

I too am in the early stages of applying to a religious order (the Dominicans). I have heard nightmare stories about the psychological tests from some of my soon-to-be brothers, especially if someone on the committee thinks you’re a bit too “traditional” (if you know what I mean).

I just want to say that religious orders hate turning people away. Men and women who live their vocation well practically burst with excitement when you ask them about their lives, and of course anyone who experiences something good and wholesome wants nothing more than to share it. Thus, for the most part religious orders don’t turn people away out of exclusivity, but perceived necessity.

Part of the application process is figuring out both whether a given rule of life is appropriate to the candidate, but another part is figuring out whether the benefits a candidate brings are overshadowed by any burden they may cause (or be caused). For an order with a strong tradition of community life, it does them no good to have an inspired theologian who distracts others at the Office, or a sister who can’t make spiritual progress because she’s constantly concerned that the other sisters hate her.

That doesn’t even take into account the risks of future medical treatments: here in Australia this is a minor issue, since our government pays for reasonable things, but in the US medical expenses are a terrifying risk. That’s why vocations directors will say “come back in a few years” - it’s quite the opposite of “we’re not interested”. They just want you to spend a little more time “out there”, to reassure them that the risk they take on won’t up and bite them in the arse as soon as they get you into a habit.

Having said all this, I’m terrified that my own problems will give me a “come back in a few years”, and at 25 I dread the thought of loafing about the world for even two more years just waiting for the committee to be satisfied I have enough “experience of the world”.

 

[TeresaAnn]

Do you have a spiritual director? It is very helpful to have one to guide you in discerning your vocation in life. So far, my spiritual director is very helpful and I am learning to know myself more and relationships with others.

Not yet, is it that obvious? LOL No, I’m brand new to all this. I’m going to contact my parish priest and probably be directed towards one. I agree, it would be a great experience.

 

[thevickinator16]

Hello!

I never knew that you had to be psychoanalyzed to get into a religious order. What exactly happens? Do they send you to a psychiatrist for testing?

I slways thought the Head of that Order made the decision. So does this mean that in spite of your desire to serve God as a religious, you can be told no?

God Bless!

 

[LilyM]

Hello!

I never knew that you had to be psychoanalyzed to get into a religious order. What exactly happens? Do they send you to a psychiatrist for testing?

I slways thought the Head of that Order made the decision. So does this mean that in spite of your desire to serve God as a religious, you can be told no?

God Bless!

Of course anyone who asks to join an order can be told no for a lot of reasons. Like any organisation, a religious order only works when the people in it gel together as a community emotionally, spiritually and mentally. So yes, as with any ‘job’ application, it may involve psychological testing or screening, and indeed some may be refused if the results of that testing indicate something that would be a serious problem.

The reasons for refusal may have to do with psychology, they may be to do with physical health (it’s a pretty strenuously physical life in some orders), they may just be character issues. You don’t want someone who thrives on an active social life and mixing it with all kinds of people, and is miserable spending long periods alone, in an enclosed contemplative order where there’s little social interaction, for example.

 

[thevickinator16]

Is this the real reason behind the decline of women entering the Religious life? In this world just about everyone one I have met has some type of phycological issue. I just didn’t know they screened women or men for that matter for enterning. I thought you could go and find if it were for you (discernment) and that’s all that mattered.

Just curious…

God Bless!

 

[Sister_Helena]

Depression or anxiety disorder does not automatically disqualify a person from entering Religious life. Discernment is taken on a case to case basis. Depression comes in different levels and some authorities on this will agree that some form of depression can be an appropriate response to a given event. “Circumstantial depression” is a form of behavior response appropriate to some given circumstances of death, grave loss of loved one, home, wealth, job, etc. It usually is passing and temporary. I am not a professional psychologist but my nursing experience has exposed me to this knowledge.

Religious life a particular form of lifestyle not suited to everyone. A desire to be a Priest, Sister/Nun, however great it may be, does not guarantee a definite calling to this life. But Chronic depression and Chronic Anxiety disorders are conditions that are very hard to reconcile with Religious life. It is not to say that those in religious life now are “superhuman, perfect” people who are free of anxieties and are always happy. That is not always the case. But the stresses of community life, ministerial demands, spiritual challenges are constant factors one faces. In the past, little consideration was given to the psychological state of candidates and communities suffered and continues to feel the effects of this neglect years later. Some entered with this condition, only to leave later because the life and stress became too much for what they can take. The Church is wise to require that a candidate be psychologically balanced.

I do not believe that decline in religious vocations is caused by the lack of mentally sound people! And even if it is as Vickinator16 indicated, we are not just looking to inflate the numbers but are looking for vocations that persevere. No, lack of vocations is created by a number of factors.

I would like to offer encouragement to those who find themselves with this problem and feel a great desire for Religious life. Religious life is a call from God. We do not create it nor do we make it happen. God does the calling and we only respond. Discerning whether a person is fit for Religious life is given to the Church by the Holy Spirit who discerns all truths. We have to accept this in faith. We have to accept this in humility. If you find that you do not have the necessary qualities, that does not make you a lesser person! Entering religious life is not necessary for salvation. Loving God and being obedient to the Commandments are. It is better to be out of a convent and doing God’s will than to be in a convent following one’s own will!

 

[thevickinator16]

Depression or anxiety disorder does not automatically disqualify a person from entering Religious life. Discernment is taken on a case to case basis. Depression comes in different levels and some authorities on this will agree that some form of depression can be an appropriate response to a given event. “Circumstantial depression” is a form of behavior response appropriate to some given circumstances of death, grave loss of loved one, home, wealth, job, etc. It usually is passing and temporary. I am not a professional psychologist but my nursing experience has exposed me to this knowledge.

Religious life a particular form of lifestyle not suited to everyone. A desire to be a Priest, Sister/Nun, however great it may be, does not guarantee a definite calling to this life. But Chronic depression and Chronic Anxiety disorders are conditions that are very hard to reconcile with Religious life. It is not to say that those in religious life now are “superhuman, perfect” people who are free of anxieties and are always happy. That is not always the case. But the stresses of community life, ministerial demands, spiritual challenges are constant factors one faces. In the past, little consideration was given to the psychological state of candidates and communities suffered and continues to feel the effects of this neglect years later. Some entered with this condition, only to leave later because the life and stress became too much for what they can take. The Church is wise to require that a candidate be psychologically balanced.

I do not believe that decline in religious vocations is caused by the lack of mentally sound people! And even if it is as Vickinator16 indicated, we are not just looking to inflate the numbers but are looking for vocations that persevere. No, lack of vocations is created by a number of factors.

I would like to offer encouragement to those who find themselves with this problem and feel a great desire for Religious life. Religious life is a call from God. We do not create it nor do we make it happen. God does the calling and we only respond. Discerning whether a person is fit for Religious life is given to the Church by the Holy Spirit who discerns all truths. We have to accept this in faith. We have to accept this in humility. If you find that you do not have the necessary qualities, that does not make you a lesser person! Entering religious life is not necessary for salvation. Loving God and being obedient to the Commandments are. It is better to be out of a convent and doing God’s will than to be in a convent following one’s own will!

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut and advice! I think this straightens it out for me. I am glad you answered because others may get discouraged and ignore the calling. Again thank you!

God Bless!

 

[Diamantina]

Dear Sister Helena,

Do you think that someone whose chronic severe depression has abated due to faithfully taking medication every day can ever have a vocation to consecrated life in community, or should that person consider secular institutes and consecrated virginity lived in the world instead? How is that decision influenced by the high cost of health insurance in the United States?

I am 42 years old, never married, no kids. I have major depression, severe, with psychotic features, as well as borderline personality disorder. However, since I take four antidepressants and antipsychotics, I have been asymptomatic for the past three years, thanks be to God. The religious communities that I have contacted seem to think that I have a true vocation to consecrated life, but not to life in community because of my condition. Consecrated virginity lived in the world would seem to be a good option to me if the next Archbishop of Los Angeles is more favorable to the vocation than Cardinal Mahony is: otherwise, I would probably take a private vow of chastity and obedience three years after I am (God willing) permanently professed as a Lay Carmelite in 2011. (I was received in 2005 and temporarily professed in 2008.) I believe that I have a vocation to a semi-contemplative Carmelite lifestyle. But all is as God wills, n’est-ce pas?

 

[Sister_Helena]

Dear Sister Helena,

Do you think that someone whose chronic severe depression has abated due to faithfully taking medication every day can ever have a vocation to consecrated life in community, or should that person consider secular institutes and consecrated virginity lived in the world instead? How is that decision influenced by the high cost of health insurance in the United States?

I am 42 years old, never married, no kids. I have major depression, severe, with psychotic features, as well as borderline personality disorder. However, since I take four antidepressants and antipsychotics, I have been asymptomatic for the past three years, thanks be to God. The religious communities that I have contacted seem to think that I have a true vocation to consecrated life, but not to life in community because of my condition. Consecrated virginity lived in the world would seem to be a good option to me if the next Archbishop of Los Angeles is more favorable to the vocation than Cardinal Mahony is: otherwise, I would probably take a private vow of chastity and obedience three years after I am (God willing) permanently professed as a Lay Carmelite in 2011. (I was received in 2005 and temporarily professed in 2008.) I believe that I have a vocation to a semi-contemplative Carmelite lifestyle. But all is as God wills, n’est-ce pas?

Hello! First of all, I commend you for your faithfulness to your medication regime. It is very difficult, I’m sure, to be afflicted with severe depression. I agree with the first advice you received. Although the condition is in control now, I don’t think that Religious life lived in a Community setting is conducive to your severe chronic depression. Environment has a lot to do to keep a condition like that under control. Fortunately, Pope John Paul II in his encyclical “Vita Consecrata” brought back into our consciousness the different types of religious consecration lifestyle one may be called to. In the Carmelite tradition, one can be a “beata” or basically consecrated virgin living alone and following the Rule of St. Albert. You may want to pursue that. You can always take a private vow without waiting for the ceremony and follow the Carmelite Rule according to your present state. Do you have a spiritual director?