Religion and Mental Health

[BlindSheep]

There is evidence that religious people enjoy better mental health than non-religious people. They are less likely become or remain addicted to drugs and alcohol psychiatrictimes.com/p001078.html less likely to be depressed ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10480747&dopt=Abstract less likely to commit suicide adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html and are happier psywww.com/psyrelig/happy.htm. It also appears that the drive to believe in, and practice religion is nearly universal. Even atheists admit “wishing there were a God”,. and accuse theists of “wishful thinking”. So, given this, why do you think that human beings have this drive? Why is religion generally benefical and the lack of it usually emotionally painful? I welcome everyone’s theories about this.

 

[goofyjim]

I believe this to be true but it certainly does not mean that religious/spiritual people will never experience mental illness. I have always been a regular church goer but developed a disability anyway. No amount of faith could have prevented it. But faith does help me endure it.

 

[Mary]

So, given this, why do you think that human beings have this drive? Why is religion generally benefical and the lack of it usually emotionally painful? I welcome everyone’s theories about this.

We are not only physical, emotional, intellectual people, but we are spiritual people as well. We lack something substantial without Faith. We long for God, and without Him, we search. Even atheists seek, yet they hold so firmly to the belief there is no God that they miss what they are seeking.

Separation from God is not only a physical separation, but an emotional separation that can be extremely painful. (Last breakup with girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend is nothing compared to the relationship we miss (even if we’re not aware of it)). Without even knowing it, we are all suffering from our separation from God.

In finding the only “thing” that will fill the void we all experience, in finding Christ, we begin a process of healing. All our problems may not be solved… Faith is not magic. But in finding God we find our Creator, we return to Him who welcomes us home with open arms, desiring so much to be with us, to shower on us abundant Graces and bring us eventually into eternal life in His Kingdom.

Of course there are those Faithful who still experience mental illness, just as there are those who experience physical illness. But Faith can play a significant part in helping people get through rough times… rough lives…!

I had serious mental health issues that were partly related to a lack of spirituality in my life, a missing of something that I discovered was Christ. Finding Him helped me deal with the chemical imbalances I suffered.

Finding Christ, returning to our God, cannot help but be healthier for us… Restoring a broken relationship with God goes far beyond mending disputes with parents or siblings. He restores life to us, real life that is everlasting, eternal- saves us from death.

 

[Katie1723]

When I developed my spiritual side, other areas of my life became far more “tolerable”. The problems were still there, but became easier to deal with. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, but that is because I am human. And I know sooner or later things will work out they way they are supposed to. Not necessarily the way I want them, but for my ultimate good.
~ Kathy ~

 

[Agricola]

Mary:

We are not only physical, emotional, intellectual people, but we are spiritual people as well. We lack something substantial without Faith. We long for God, and without Him, we search…

Restoring a broken relationship with God goes far beyond mending disputes with parents or siblings. He restores life to us, real life that is everlasting, eternal- saves us from death.

And this is why the Confession is so important for our well-being. It may be difficult to talk to God because of our inability to separate the priest from his function as confessor, or because of our shame in having committed a certain sin. However, nothing should keep us from God. He gives us life. Without Him, we are dead.

God bless,

Agricola

 

[Ahimsa]

BlindSheep:

There is evidence that religious people enjoy better mental health than non-religious people. They are less likely become or remain addicted to drugs and alcohol psychiatrictimes.com/p001078.html less likely to be depressed ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10480747&dopt=Abstract less likely to commit suicide adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html and are happier psywww.com/psyrelig/happy.htm. It also appears that the drive to believe in, and practice religion is nearly universal. Even atheists admit “wishing there were a God”,. and accuse theists of “wishful thinking”. So, given this, why do you think that human beings have this drive? Why is religion generally benefical and the lack of it usually emotionally painful? I welcome everyone’s theories about this.

What do you mean by “religion”?

 

[miguel]

BlindSheep:

…Why is religion generally benefical and the lack of it usually emotionally painful?

By religion, I assume the true faith which has been revealed to us by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not just any old religion. (I realize you might not be using the term in that way.) However, when we have the true faith, we are living in stark raving reality. We have the truth that sets us free. Living in reality is better for mental health than living in fantasy-land.

 

[MichaelTDoyle]

BlindSheep:

why do you think that human beings have this drive?

I believe we were created to love God, so it is written deeper than our dna, a longing for Him, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Why is religion generally benefical and the lack of it usually emotionally painful? I welcome everyone’s theories about this.

Religion is the normative means for expressing this longing. Without it, we are in danger of substituting something that is not good for the Good. Therein is pain, despair anguish–sin.

 

[BlindSheep]

miguel:

By religion, I assume the true faith which has been revealed to us by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not just any old religion. (I realize you might not be using the term in that way.) However, when we have the true faith, we are living in stark raving reality. We have the truth that sets us free. Living in reality is better for mental health than living in fantasy-land.

Actually, the studies I posted generally refer to “any old religion” - as opposed to atheism. I agree that our Church has the fullness of truth, but all religions have some truth, and are apparently healthier than none at all.

 

[miguel]

BlindSheep:

Actually, the studies I posted generally refer to “any old religion” - as opposed to atheism. I agree that our Church has the fullness of truth, but all religions have some truth, and are apparently healthier than none at all.

Agreed. These studies seem to suggest (to me at least), a connection between truth and mental health. And I was attempting to follow that thought to its logical conclusion.