Mental health and the priesthood

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ajac

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I have been thinking about the priesthood. However, I have moderate to severe anxiety and severe stage fright. I also have a dissociative disorder called depersonalization disorder. Should I still become a priest? I’m not sure how I can overcome these. Psychiatrists have not been able to help me.
 
I don’t think the question is SHOULD you become a Priest - I think the quesion is COULD you.

Given the descriptions of your mental illnesses you gave, I am fairly certain you would be automatically disqualified from the Presbyterate if you were up front and honest about those mental health issues.
 
I’ve seen some stuff relating to your question before, and based on what you have described, I would say you have a chance at the priesthood. But, the online community does not make that determination. It’s the bishop that will lay hands on you or not lay hands on you.

As for your fears, I believe you need to trust in God more. Fear is not from God; fear is from the devil. We all have fears. If yours are obsessive, try praying more and develop a daily prayer routine, realize that you should not worry about things outside of your control, pray to St. Dymphna for help with your anxiety and other disorders, replace a bad habit with a good habit (such as prayer) every lent, and pray the simple prayer “Jesus I trust in you”.
 
Given what you say here, and given what my friends must go through with a psychologist to even enter the seminary, I’d say its highly doubtful.

I do know that there are orders that accept mentally ill postulants, but they don’t become priests, just brothers and sisters/monks and nuns.
 
Need to speak with the Diocesan Vocations Director directly. Add a prayer to St Dymphna to your day, and ask her specifically to lead you to that which will cure you. Utilize the Sacraments of confession and the anointing of the sick.

Do self-liberation from evil. If psychiatrists can’t help, there’s always the possibility of demonic influence. St Dymphna was a lay exorcist in her day.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
Http://cloisters.tripod.com/
Http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
 
We cannot answer these questions. They are for your Priest and vocations director.

I pray God’s Will be done in your life

🌹🙏🕊️
 
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