Missing Sunday Mass-Anxiety, Mental illness

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Sounds like something a Xanax or Valium would be very, very helpful with.

Make sure your friend is seeing a professional like a psychiatrist that has the ability to use those as treatment options, unlike generic “councilors”.
 
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It sounds like she’s covered her bases by seeking medical help.
At this point it’s up to her and her doctor to work through this debilitating anxiety.

If she is concerned, she can also seek spiritual guidance from her priest.

:pray:t2::pray:t2::pray:t2: For her
 
Certainly severe enough anxiety can be a sufficient reason to not attend Mass. But avoidance isn’t a long term solution. The woman should be working on healing herself.
 
Far easier said than done. For each person, healing is a process. I know I need what I’m getting. If she were diabetic, she would need something. This is very hard for people who have not faced this to understand. I went to my support group meeting after missing one. One nice lady told me a speaker had come in. He encouraged everyone to get better - right then and there. Everyone was angry. The speaker had no idea what he was saying. It was wrong. All of us want to get better sooner than later.
 
MarthaSo said:
That’s why I asked the question. For advice.
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And that’s why this Catholic Answer forum exists. Don’t feel bad about asking the question to help you understand what to do to help your friend, even though I think you have received some rather rude answers.
 
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Feel not alone. A friend of mine had her Pastor tell her if she had more Faith she would not need anxiety and depression meds. She called me up sobbing.

I can only thank God he doesn’t know difficult such issues are to cope with and pray for a Pastor misleading such people with such info…
 
Vonsalza said:
Sounds like something a Xanax or Valium would be very, very helpful with.

Make sure your friend is seeing a professional like a psychiatrist that has the ability to use those as treatment options, unlike generic “councilors”.
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In some cases, even meds like Xanax, Valium, or even Klonopin, which are the most prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks, psychological intervention is needed as well. Meds will take the edge off, but are only band-aids as to why this is happening to your friend. Bless you in trying to be helpful on her behalf.
 
Re: “You just need more faith,” obviously she should have told the pastor to use his great faith to heal her instantly! This stuff cuts both ways!
 
Why not?

Most folks in the councilling profession aren’t credentialed to prescribe pharmacological assistance even when the situation likely calls for it. And instead of referring their client to a shrink that would able to use that particular tool, they try to errantly solve the problem with their limited means.

There might be an underlying psychological problem there that needs treating. Which any old “councilor” can help with.

But there might be a physiological problem there that a councilor cannot help with. I don’t know.

Point being - her friend needs to see someone that also has medication as part of their tool belt. Otherwise it’s like hiring a plumber that doesn’t own a pipe wrench…
 
I agree it is far easier said then done. But despair certainly won’t help. It can be a long healing process and will likely have ups and downs. Put you have to push toward the goal.
 
Without knowing the person in question, I met a lot of people in my shoes. Some better, some worse. Please don’t speculate. It’s like being in combat. The ups and downs can ruin your day, any day. When you combine phobias, OCDs and panic attacks - which I’ve all had - you have no idea.
 
I actually do have an idea. I’ve experienced it myself. It is horrible. But I don’t think anything I said is wrong.
 
Concur with others - no sin.

A counterpoint for contemplation: I go to work every day… even if I feel anxious about a meeting or too tired to get out of bed. If I don’t go, they don’t pay me. So, while I don’t ‘have’ to go, the choice not to go has consequences.
 
No, you didn’t say something wrong. Only a professional and the woman in this case, can judge the severity. And I’ve had it. So, no one should speculate. Leave it to the doctor.
 
There may be a poorly attended early morning Mass that you may feel more comfortable at.
 
CBT is useful plus a breathing technique. I actually experienced one panic attack due to a change in medication I was on and the physical effects of anxiety dragged on for eighteen months!

Counselling may also help if she has reasons for her anxiety due to her fears. A priest with such skills could also be invaluable. Likewise offering up suffering to Our Lord May help others, perhaps the Holy Souls.

And of course prayer, it’s not easy to suffer anxiety whilst praying the rosary and pondering the mysteries I’d suggest. This also alters the locus of attention which may help greatly.

I experienced this before I became a Catholic and some time ago but having thought back I remember that positive internal dialogue was very helpful. Possibly sounds odd in isolation like this but words expressing empathy, love and understanding are calming, I remember saying “it’s ok, nothing is going to harm you, there is no danger.” Words such as those.

None of which is advice based on a professional qualification…
 
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I have now read the forum guidelines and so understand why one of my posts was removed. Apologies.
 
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