Question that is bugging me

[RaymondJensen]

My mother is bipolar. From what I know of her condition, it’s sometimes like dreaming when you’re awake. Now when I dream, I have difficulty knowing I’m dreaming; that is, I do, until I wake up. During my dreams, I often have some pretty strange ideas and do some pretty weird things, and think what I’m thinking and doing in my dreams is perfectly normal. So I suppose I can, on some level, know a little what it is like.

How does one know when one is dreaming? If one is bipolar, how does one know when what one sees, hears, smells, feels, or believes is not real? I suppose the best way is to talk it out with others, and take their opinions seriously. Now if they experience the same things you do at the same time you do, and they’re not bipolar, then it might be something paranormal. A priest might recommend an exorcism, or a paranormal investigator might have other suggestions. But make sure you talk to your therapist and are taking the medication she recommends, so that you might rule out your condition as the cause of these experiences. Make sure it’s not a waking dream, so to speak.

are you sure she wasn’t misdiagnosed? when you halucinate and see hear smell feel or taste something that doesn’t exist is usually considered schizophrenia. though i do admit sometimes people can have both schizo and bipolar. bipolar is actually when your most common modes which switch between eachother are depression and overly happy and you tend to have manic tendencies. I’m just condsidering that it might be that i have mania or that i’m just not diagnosed with schizo or a demon. having said that i’m seeing a psychologist about this and seeing what he thinks.

 

[JDaniel]

There are no such things as demons. Therefore, you cannot attract them by playing middle-school dress up games where you pretend to cast spells.

I know that people on this thread are probably being sincere, but I think it can be very harmful to feed delusions of this nature.

What’s happening to you is either the result of an overactive imagination or is a part of a legitimate psychological disorder that you should bring to the attention of someone trained in the treatment of disorders like these.

AT:

You had nothing beneficial to offer this person. Out of kindness and largesse, you did not have to offer a thing.

God bless,
jd

 

[Grandmafaraway]

Reading this Thread, I thought I would throw my thoughts out there too.

I think that both routes are the best to take.

To recognize and work with the possiblity this is all in the mental state due to the admitted condition as well as recognize the potential possiblity that it is really demonic occurences.

To rule out one over the other is not the best approach in my opinion.

Sometimes it is the people that are afflicted with certian mental illness’s that have a heighten sensitivity to activity in the spirit world. An because of this they are not necessarily as believable or dismissed out of hand.

In recent years there is much we have learnt about mental illness’s and what happens with our brains; however, that should not mean we cast aside or ignore the possiblities that some people that experience these things truly are experiencing happenings from the spriitual realm.

 

[Spock]

But are you a pseudoskeptic or skeptic - Do you study with the idea “demons do not exist” and bend or debunk all evidence or arguments to fit that worldview, or do you study with the idea “I’m going to see if demon’s exist, but I don’t believe in them right now”?

Any skeptic worthy of his salt must take the second approach. One should always take all the evidence into account, and let the chips fall where they may. The question in this case: “what is the evidence supporting the claim that demons exist”? If that would derail the thread, kindly open a new one. I hope the evidence is a tad more substantial than (for example): “the Catholic Church teaches that demons exist”, or “the Catholic Church employs exorcists, and it would not do that, if demons did not exist”, or something like that. A side question: does the Church still maintain that epilepsy is caused by demons, as it did in the past? If it does not, why did the teaching change? Just curious…

As to the OP. My advice is to go to Catholic phychiatrist (not a physchologist!) and get help there.

 

[RaymondJensen]

As to the OP. My advice is to go to Catholic phychiatrist (not a physchologist!) and get help there.

well i have someone who is trained to be a psychologist and psychiatrist who isn’t catholic but is christian.

 

[Spock]

well i have someone who is trained to be a psychologist and psychiatrist who isn’t catholic but is christian.

That should do just fine, I think… wishing you the very best. Don’t forget, there was a time when many physical and mental problems were attributed to “demonic possession” but I hope those times are over. Back in those days the usual method for anesthesiology was to give a bullet to bite down upon, while the amputation was performed by a hacksaw.

 

[RaymondJensen]

well if i were possessed then I can’t touch holy water without feeling a burning sensation according to beliefs. I think today exorcists use holy water or the body of Christ to determine whether someone is possessed or not.

 

[BlueShadow123]

I could have sworn that I posted in this thread.

Maybe the deamon deleted my post.

Anyways, I think that it is more than likely in your head. You have obviously thought that something is there, and if you think that, you are more likely to experience things that would make it seem that way. I’m not your psychiatrist. Talking to to them about it will be much better than some un-professionals online.

 

[RaymondJensen]

well i posted online to hear what people who might be knowledgeable about demonology part of the church might say. I also thought there might be people who do have degrees in psychology. I am seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist about this.

 

[BlueShadow123]

well i posted online to hear what people who might be knowledgeable about demonology part of the church might say. I also thought there might be people who do have degrees in psychology. I am seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist about this.

Okay, good.

 

[JDaniel]

well if i were possessed then I can’t touch holy water without feeling a burning sensation according to beliefs. I think today exorcists use holy water or the body of Christ to determine whether someone is possessed or not.

RJ;

Welcome to Catholic Answers Forum. Earlier, I asked Mary to take our prayers to God, on your behalf. I believe that she will put a cloak of protection around you, so that you won’t be possessed. I realize that it feels like demonic possession, but, I don’t believe that you are possessed. After all, you have come to Catholic Answers Forum and exhibited only Love. Were you possessed, this would not be possible.

Bipolarity and possession are quite different. But, you are in a fragile place. Demons may find you attractive in your condition. Mary, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can protect you. Ask them, through prayer, to wrap around you. They will fight the demons off for you while you handle the bipolarity.

Remember to ask Mary for her help each day to reach the Father. I believe that you pray. Pray each day. Ask Mary each day for her help and protection. If you forget once in a while, she will not be angry.

I am not familiar with the medicines you mentioned earlier. Does one or more of them help you get to sleep at night?

God bless and keep you,
jd

 

[BlueShadow123]

RJ;

Welcome to Catholic Answers Forum. Earlier, I asked Mary to take our prayers to God, on your behalf. I believe that she will put a cloak of protection around you, so that you won’t be possessed. I realize that it feels like demonic possession, but, I don’t believe that you are possessed. After all, you have come to Catholic Answers Forum and exhibited only Love. Were you possessed, this would not be possible.

Bipolarity and possession are quite different. But, you are in a fragile place. Demons may find you attractive in your condition. Mary, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can protect you. Ask them, through prayer, to wrap around you. They will fight the demons off for you while you handle the bipolarity.

Remember to ask Mary for her help each day to reach the Father. I believe that you pray. Pray each day. Ask Mary each day for her help and protection. If you forget once in a while, she will not be angry.

I am not familiar with the medicines you mentioned earlier. Does one or more of them help you get to sleep at night?

God bless and keep you,
jd

God can already hear his prayers.

 

[RaymondJensen]

RJ;

Welcome to Catholic Answers Forum. Earlier, I asked Mary to take our prayers to God, on your behalf. I believe that she will put a cloak of protection around you, so that you won’t be possessed. I realize that it feels like demonic possession, but, I don’t believe that you are possessed. After all, you have come to Catholic Answers Forum and exhibited only Love. Were you possessed, this would not be possible.

Bipolarity and possession are quite different. But, you are in a fragile place. Demons may find you attractive in your condition. Mary, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can protect you. Ask them, through prayer, to wrap around you. They will fight the demons off for you while you handle the bipolarity.

Remember to ask Mary for her help each day to reach the Father. I believe that you pray. Pray each day. Ask Mary each day for her help and protection. If you forget once in a while, she will not be angry.

I am not familiar with the medicines you mentioned earlier. Does one or more of them help you get to sleep at night?

God bless and keep you,
jd

well like i said earlier i don’t think it’s possession

insidecatholic.com/feature/the-dark-backward-demons-in-the-real-world.html#tb

“Diabolic activity generally falls into one of four categories, he told me. The mildest forms are infestation (as in haunted houses) and obsession (when a person is harassed by the devil either by intense temptations or in a particular area of a person’s life). Oppression – an external attack by evil spirits on a person – is worse. “The spirit could cause discouragement or weariness,” said Father Jayachandra, “or it can put up external shows to frighten the person, such as shaking a person’s bed during his sleep at night.””

I think it might be obsession or oppression (that is if it’s real). I took a water bottle, emptied it, and filled it with the holy water at the church. I make a cross with the holy water everytime I think that something’s happening and i feel better not worse. If I were possesed i couldn’t do that.

as to the medicine, they are sleep enducing yes, but it doesn’t just happen at night. one instance i saw an “external show” (shadows in someone’s windows while their curtains were down that makes no sense (a lady pops straight up with a frightened shocked figure then a man with a kife on the other side then the man moves towards her without changing shape then they both drop downward without changing shape (as if they were puppets))). this was during the day. Also the medicine can be taken in the morning. I just get drowsy throughout the day if i do.

 

[JDaniel]

well like i said earlier i don’t think it’s possession

I’m sorry. I didn’t see that.

insidecatholic.com/feature/the-dark-backward-demons-in-the-real-world.html#tb

“Diabolic activity generally falls into one of four categories, he told me. The mildest forms are infestation (as in haunted houses) and obsession (when a person is harassed by the devil either by intense temptations or in a particular area of a person’s life). Oppression – an external attack by evil spirits on a person – is worse. “The spirit could cause discouragement or weariness,” said Father Jayachandra, “or it can put up external shows to frighten the person, such as shaking a person’s bed during his sleep at night.””

Well, you know more about it than me! Very good.

I think it might be obsession or oppression (that is if it’s real). I took a water bottle, emptied it, and filled it with the holy water at the church. I make a cross with the holy water everytime I think that something’s happening and i feel better not worse. If I were possesed i couldn’t do that.

You are correct. Use some of the holy water to sprinkle all around your house and your room. That may help keep any demons further away.

as to the medicine, they are sleep inducing yes, but it doesn’t just happen at night. one instance i saw an “external show” (shadows in someone’s windows while their curtains were down that makes no sense (a lady pops straight up with a frightened shocked figure then a man with a knife on the other side then the man moves towards her without changing shape then they both drop downward without changing shape (as if they were puppets))). this was during the day. Also the medicine can be taken in the morning. I just get drowsy throughout the day if i do.

I am aware that demons don’t “sleep” at night. You do well to keep them at bay all the time. That’s a scary story. But, it seems that they are keeping their distance from you. That is also good.

As for the medicines, it is good that you can get good rest. I am sure you know best when and when not to take them. Do you drive? Do you work?

God bless and keep you,
jd

 

[RaymondJensen]

IDo you drive? Do you work?

God bless and keep you,
jd

I have a driver’s permit and I am trying to get special transportation services and i’m looking for work.

 

[JDaniel]

I have a driver’s permit and I am trying to get special transportation services and i’m looking for work.

Good! And, good luck. Work will help. If you can stay busy, you will sublimate the bad thoughts. Is there stuff you can do around the house?

God bless and keep you,
jd

 

[Big_Dummy]

i think i’m being stalked my a demon. sometimes the bed i’m sleeping on moves back and forth when i’m still. sometimes i could make moving figures in shadows. one of the more common things is a recurring feeling that i’m being watched. i’ve asked for prayers from the prayer intention forums and from the feedback some people said that it might be in my head (i have bipolar) and my sister said the feeling of being watched could be from God, an angel, or a saint. i’m wondering if this makes sense of a demon tell or a manic episode or just the grace of holy protectors looking after me. if it helps once when my bed was moving i got up, grabed a bottle of holy water i keep in my room, and sprinkled some of it on the bed. when i got back in the bed it wouldn’t move for the rest of the night. This may mean nothing but still.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Psalm 22:3 (King James Version)
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

When in doubt, play and sing praise music. In this way, you will be submitting to God, who inhabits the praises of his people. Resisting the demons, who will flee.

 

[BlueShadow123]

I don’t think your problem is related to God at all. I think it has to do with some sort of condition you have.