My mental disorders and the possibility of being a nun?

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. I wanted to discuss this again with you all. I am still considering a vocation to the religious life. However, I do have a few mental disorders which I believe may prevent me from becoming a nun. I believe that my borderline personality disorder was wrongly diagnosed. I do not believe that I actually have it. Also, my major depression and anxiety are well managed by medication. My adult adhd barely affects me at all. Would depression, anxiety, and very mild adult adhd prevent me from becoming a nun? What if I heal from these disorders? Would my history of mental illness prevent me from becoming a nun?

 

[Bailey2]

Would depression, anxiety, and very mild adult adhd prevent me from becoming a nun? What if I heal from these disorders? Would my history of mental illness prevent me from becoming a nun?

Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are so common among women (1 in 5 roughly) that I think you would have no troubles fitting in there or anywhere for that matter.

 

[georgette94]

You would need to discuss this with your spiritual director, or raise with the order to which you want to apply.

 

[vee8]

Definitely be upfront about yourself with any order youre interested in. Some might be more strict about what they will and will not accept based on what they do. For example a cloistered community could be more careful about what they will and will not accept due to the demands of the lifestyle. A community with an active charism, however, might be a bit more lenient but that is just my guess. In the end though its up to God. If he wants you to be a religious He`ll get you there. If He has other plans then thats for the best too the key is to keep saying Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word…

 

[Joe_5859]

You would need to discuss this with your spiritual director, or raise with the order to which you want to apply.

I agree with this, Holly. It could very well differ from order to order. From what you have described, it doesn’t seem like you suffer from something that would be an insurmountable obstacle to ever joining a religious order. So I definitely wouldn’t give up hope.

How young you were when these things arose may make a difference, too. Many teenagers suffer from anxiety and depression, but it gets better as they get older. It seeems that would be taken into consideration as well.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

It would depend on the group and what they feel is appropriate for them.

There is no way you can get a difinitive answer on an anonymous forum.

 

[Holly3278]

Oh ok. Thanks everyone! I will speak with my spiritual director and try to get a second opinion about my mental disorders, especially the borderline personality disorder.

 

[elizabeth_anne_1]

What is it that specifically attracts you to the idea of being a nun? Just wondering if God might have other ways of fulfilling your underlying desires. Really, though- get a good spiritual director!

 

[ricmat]

Hello Holly.

Since you believe you may have a vocation as a nun, you should definitely keep looking into it. I’ll pray for you that you can correctly discern God’s will for you.

 

[Holly3278]

Hello Holly.

Since you believe you may have a vocation as a nun, you should definitely keep looking into it. I’ll pray for you that you can correctly discern God’s will for you.

Thank you Ricmat.

 

[Holly3278]

What is it that specifically attracts you to the idea of being a nun? Just wondering if God might have other ways of fulfilling your underlying desires. Really, though- get a good spiritual director!

The idea of serving God 24/7 really attracts me. Though I suppose as Catholics we are called to serve God 24/7 anyway. But serving Him in a community of other devout Catholics also attracts me. I have considered lay, secular, and third orders before as well.

 

[elizabeth_anne_1]

Holly- I can relate to desiring something in life that may not be possible- and this is a cross indeed. However, God works through all of these things for His purposes as we entrust ourselves to His Care. A spiritual director, a really good one, will help you not only to discern your vocation but to handle the ups and downs of that discernment and help you to see the signs of what God wants. It may or may not be religious life. For me it is not religious life, as much as I desired that for myself. He has something else in mind. God bless you!

 

[Holly3278]

Holly- I can relate to desiring something in life that may not be possible- and this is a cross indeed. However, God works through all of these things for His purposes as we entrust ourselves to His Care. A spiritual director, a really good one, will help you not only to discern your vocation but to handle the ups and downs of that discernment and help you to see the signs of what God wants. It may or may not be religious life. For me it is not religious life, as much as I desired that for myself. He has something else in mind. God bless you!

Thank you Elizabeth. I am still considering a lay, secular, or third order though.