by metatron 33 Replies latest jw friends
Your flippant comments about pretending to be "crazy" are offensive.
What's really offensive is that you have to pretend you're sick to get out of this religion with your family -- and your sanity-- intact. I think Met's point is that people will go to any ends to escape Dubdom, which is an organization you can't just quit. So a little play acting is the wiser course.
Plus, it's poetic. I mean, the dubs are pretending to be "spiritual." Why can't you act out, too?
It's true what Warlock and a few others (Gill too!) have said.
I've used some very low moments in my life to my benefit later. The elders know I ended up in the hospital and it was a breakdown of sorts (some may know this was in January/February of this year). Though I hardly feel like the same person (in a good way) these days, I still use it to my benefit if necessary. I've ran into Witnesses accidentally who try to hound me about what I'm doing with my life. I tell them I'm feeling very sad and anxious and I'm in a downward spiral and I can't handle it and I'm overwhelmed and they back off fast.
So I think you have to use what works for you to try and get them to leave you alone...
My two cents, as usual.
"Crazy" Girl
I'm sorry, I just don't think of mental illness is a "tactic". I would no more fake mental illness than I would fake having cancer. I found that writing a simple DA letter solved my issues of wanting the elders to stay away. Telling your children that people are scared of "crazy" behavior (which is true)and to fake it or use it to their advantage, again, trivializes the significance of the illness.
When I faded I was suffering depression and lack of self worth... (like most people!). Looking back I was suprised to see how my family and friends accepted my excuse for not attending meetings quite easily.
I say, if you are wanting to fade and have people leave you alone, this will work.
I don't think its insulting either. Its not like your being encouraged to walk around foaming at the mouth! *Hyperbole*
Mental illness can take many forms, some more severe than others. Faking mental illness doesn't mean you have to act like you have multiple personalities or anything drastic, it can be as simple as depression.
However I agree its shocking that people go to such lengths in order to leave a religon.
i think that it was pretty oubvious that this original post was written with a little humor- the best medicine....
I think that being "undesireable" (don't shoot!) to the group in any way, without actually breaking the rules is a good way to be left alone...To the group it's just as well! Being perceived as crazy is probably a good way of doing it. They can't DF you for it, but they don't want you as one of "them" either. Remember, this is essentially a business and JWs are Reps. They don't wan't someone off their rocker to "tarnish" their image.
Exwitness, I see no reason for your all too typical politically correct response of sensitivity. I, too have been
hospitalized with emotional and psychological breakdown. Pressure at Bethel nearly killed me, as
did pressure from my high stress job. Flippant I may be - but I am not without empathy for such suffering
or the fearful panic that it may not ever go away.
Nevertheless, I continue to advocate such a route - whether real or exaggerated - as a means of freedom from
the oppression of the "truth". Heck, even King David found such an approach appropriate when confronted with
trouble.
metatron
In addition to the above, let us not trivialize the stigma of writing a "DA letter" and thereby playing the
Watchtower's game of shunning - which can be just as devastating as mental illness, depending on your
personal circumstance. If such were available to all, every fader would volunteer to be stigmatized
by the organization. My personal choice is that I prefer one stigma over another.
To each his own.
metatron
I'm sorry, I just don't think of mental illness is a "tactic". I would no more fake mental illness than I would fake having cancer. I found that writing a simple DA letter solved my issues of wanting the elders to stay away. Telling your children that people are scared of "crazy" behavior (which is true)and to fake it or use it to their advantage, again, trivializes the significance of the illness.
We don't all have an option of writing a "simple DA letter" to solve our issues - for me that would mean throwing away any chance of any sort of relationship with my immediate family. Though I do appreciate what you are saying about mental illness. I wouldn't say I'd ever "faked a mental illness". Just used their prejudices about me to my advantage.
Before I left the JWs many years ago, I endured several miserable years of doubt, which culminated in a lengthy hospital stay for severe depression. I don't know how you long-time faders manage it all. If faking depression helps you get through the day, I have no problem with it. It's amazing you don't have real depression or schizophrenia, considering the stress you must be under every day.
