Christians with mental illness

[Debp]

There are many types of suffering.   We should be kind to each other and support and encourage each other.   We never know when such trouble might come to us or family.

[AnOrangeCat]

On 5/31/2020 at 12:57 PM, furrychristian said:

I have had a contamination theme in the past, when I was a child. I was 11. That's gone now. What I mostly deal with now is what's known as "pure O OCD" or "purely obsessional OCD", basically when your symptoms manifest in such a way that your "compulsions" are all done inside your head and are not outward or physical actions. I'm actually doing very well at the moment though! But OCD is typically a lifelong illness.

I relate to this and what you said. I'm prone to depression and anxiety/social anxiety as well, but the mental OCD is something I had even as a kid and it got so much worse when I became a teenager. There are times when I can go for long periods where I'm free of it entirely or only have minimal instances, but there are also times when it kicks into high gear so much that I sometimes blurt out a verbal argument against what's going on in my head without really thinking about talking at all. When it's really bad it's like the verbal denial is a reflex. I felt pretty torn up about one of the worse instances a while back, though. I prayed a lot and I feel like God told me not to stress out over it. He recognizes that it's not from me. It's part of why I really like II Corinthians 12 where Paul takes about having a thorn in his flesh. He said he prayed for it to be removed three times but came to realize that it served the purpose of keeping him humble and that his weaknesses could showcase the power of God.

[furrychristian]

1 hour ago, AnOrangeCat said:

I relate to this and what you said. I'm prone to depression and anxiety/social anxiety as well, but the mental OCD is something I had even as a kid and it got so much worse when I became a teenager. There are times when I can go for long periods where I'm free of it entirely or only have minimal instances, but there are also times when it kicks into high gear so much that I sometimes blurt out a verbal argument against what's going on in my head without really thinking about talking at all. When it's really bad it's like the verbal denial is a reflex. I felt pretty torn up about one of the worse instances a while back, though. I prayed a lot and I feel like God told me not to stress out over it. He recognizes that it's not from me. It's part of why I really like II Corinthians 12 where Paul takes about having a thorn in his flesh. He said he prayed for it to be removed three times but came to realize that it served the purpose of keeping him humble and that his weaknesses could showcase the power of God.

Hi! I find for me that I can also go for periods without dealing with OCD themes. But when it is there....oof. It feels like it is just how my brain is programmed to deal with uncertainty.

[furrychristian]

10 hours ago, Seasoned by Grace said:

I haven't been here for a while, but the leading of the Holy Spirit brought me back, and led me to your post.

I wanted to reply to what your dealing with because many Christians believe mental illness is a result of sin in a persons life or poor

lifestyle choices which isn't true.

I wanted to speak out and support you so you don't feel alone in this

I have PTSD from childhood trauma and hereditary anxiety in several forms inherited from my mothers side of my family. Several of my children have some of the same issues. Some are on medication just like I am, and we're Christians.

As I've gotten older, it's gotten worse at times and other times almost nothing. I get what is called being "Triggered", which means out of nowhere I have a "Flair-up", that are like a "Sucker-punch" that is really over-whelming and can send your life reeling. You have no control over it and can make you feel like your going crazy.

I have close Christian friends who really understand my life, and are there for me, and they have issues in their lives too and I'm there for them, and we pray for each other.

You wouldn't believe how comforting that is!!!

 

Also I love James 1:2-4, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let that endurance have it's perfect result that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing". 

I see my trials and struggles as God strengthening me and making me stronger for future trials, or to be there to encourage others like yourself on the same path to our home in heaven. As you get stronger you can help others too.

I am learning more and more, as it gets easier, to praise God for my trials, as I know He is always there with me and He has a plan for me even in my pain.

Scripture says "in all we do, do to the Glory of God." So I glorify God in my suffering and praise Him and thank Him that He is there with me loving me, and helping me through my trials.

Thank you my brother for having the courage to speak out and to allow us to support you.

My name is OLIGOS

 

Thank you for your post, and I agree, mental health issues are not a moral failing. They are a result of living in a fallen world.

Edited June 3, 2020 by furrychristian

[leah777]

2 hours ago, furrychristian said:

Thank you for your post, and I agree, mental health issues are not a moral failing. They are a result of living in a fallen world.

They can also be a result of an imbalance of body chemistry and/or faulty wiring of an imperfect human body.

They are not a moral failing.

[Figure of eighty]

On 5/31/2020 at 2:08 PM, missmuffet said:

God is with you on your mental illness. Stay close to God and continue to have faith and trust in Him when you struggle. OCD is the doubting disorder so you might struggle with doubts in your belief occasionally. You will be blessed and rewarded for your struggle you had on this earth when you get to heaven if you remain faithful to God.. 

Yup OCD is definitely the doubting disorder, anxiety as well, you clines it perfectly. 

 

I also experience anxiety OP. Before God my anxiety was incapacitating. At times it still is but not like before.

[furrychristian]

I've come a long way with my social anxiety I was doing very well with it until a couple days ago.....I think a bunch of things just came together and built up at once and overwhelmed me. Well, aside from missing my meds, I'm sure that had a hand too.

[ladypeartree]

Get those meds sorted and keep praying as we will be for you 

[Who me]

On 5/31/2020 at 6:57 PM, furrychristian said:

have OCD. OCD is a complex illness, and is far more than simply "wanting to be tidy" or needing to wash your hands all the time

 

May I make a suggestion.

There is a web site with a post, " 25 tips for succeeding in your OCD treatment "

It is written by a psychiatrist to help his patients and has many helpful comments.

Do search for it and have a read.

[Sharky and George]

A good fundemental understanding for mental health IMO is that what happens in the spiritual realm, then affects the mind, then the body (or physical realm). God spoke in the spirit realm and then in the physical:

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 ESV
http://bible.com/59/gen.1.3.ESV

Like a hierarchy e.g. read your bible and it sanctifies your mind. Your body then benefits in ways such as less anxiety:

Sanctify them  in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.17.17.ESV

It can work the other way too as exercise is a game changer:

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
1 Timothy 4:8‭-‬9 ESV
http://bible.com/59/1ti.4.8-9.ESV