Manic depression/bipolar disorder

ChimpGirl

Hi
Am I the only one here who's completely crazy? Got diagnosed bipolar earlier this year, broke the news to mother (staunch JW) and she just said it explained a lot. Thanks, ma, you can stop blaming yourself for me now! I'd love to know how many exJWs have experienced mental health problems. Hell, I'd put money on a large percentage of active JWs having mental health problems.
Well, all I wanted to say really is that anyone out there with mental health problems, I'm here to listen, understand, sympathise and maybe even offer a few helpful suggestions.

logical

yeah, im totally messed up

ballistic

this explains a lot...

* http://www.premier1.net/~raines/mental.html

dins

Chimp Girl,

Welcome to the site.

I wasn't going to reply to this topic as it's a bit personal, but decided to because I think that there are probably a large number of people experiencing mental troubles who were JWs.

I don't know if there is a correlation between the two, but I have had problems over the years with depression and my siblngs experience some trouble too. But since half the Western world is on something, it's hard to say.

But I can say that I have battled with depression (and still do). And I put a lot of it down to how I was raised and the issues you carry with you from childhood. It wasn't easy growing up as a JW, totally different than everyone and constantly picked on and ridiculed. I think that has a lot to do with how we are now.

Interesting thought though. I would encourage others to post here if they have experienced similar things. It's comforting to know that we are not alone.

Cheers,

Diana :D

MegaDude

Chimp,

I highly recommend reading "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Jamison. She was a UCLA tenured professor and suffered terribly with manic depression.
Anyone who has battled with moods will love this book.

"The God that comes before skepticism may bear little resemblence to the God that comes after."
(M. Scott Peck: The Road Less Traveled)

waiting

Howdy chimp girl,

As you are probably aware, bipolar is a medical condition, and can be brought into control (as well as possible with drugs, living style, therapy, etc.)

I worked with a man who is bipolar - moody, but ain't we all.

My best friend through grade school comes from 3 confirmed generations of massive bipolar. Finally, in her 30's, she got hers under control. Her son had blood tests, and was confirmed at the age of around 12.

My best friend later on is bipolar - rather a pain in the rear, but most men are.

I truly believe my first husband was too - but he doesn't count, because he'd be an asshole no matter what his situation.

In other words, it seems to be pretty common and can be dealt with. Glad you got diagnosed, and hope it goes well for you. Imho, as a mother, you're mother probably didn't know quite what to say to you.....so tended to sound like she was fluffing it off. Perhaps, she just didn't know any answers - like a lot of parents.

As for jw mental health - a theory, even among jw's, is that they would be a regular cross-section of society except for one thing.....they offer answers and solutions to every problem of mankind. That makes them a dream-fulfilling (or promise of) group - and people with problems tend to join more frequently.

Nice to meet you - hope you stick around. There are fine books on bipolar and it's the best thing you can do for yourself - education about you. There are also support groups, ask your doctor, hospital, county health, etc. if in your area.

waiting

ChimpGirl

Hey Logical, who isn't messed up? I'm not convinced by the facade put up by so-called 'normal' members of society in the least. I might be crazy (well, ok, technically I am :-)) but I happen to believe that having emotional responses to things, thinking and feeling deeply, and being an individual are natural. I think it was r d laing said insanity is a sane reaction to an insane society. And he didn't even mean the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society!

ChimpGirl

Thanks for that - fascinating stuff! Confirms my suspcicions. Knew quite a few Jdubs who were really hung up on demons - I guess that's what you'd call paranoid schizophrenic, or psychotic at least. Being raised JW is almost like being trained to be mentally unbalanced IMHO.

ChimpGirl

Thanks for replying Dins. I think one of the most depression-inducing things about a JW upbringing is that they put this huge emphasis on what a terrible place the world is...so when you leave, you still carry this very negative world view, but without the promised magic fairy wand to make it all better. Personally speaking, I also find it hard to shake off the sense of being watched, judged and found not good enough; there were impossible ideals to live up to and having to appear happy all the time is enough to make anyone scream! Are you getting help/counselling? i've found it enormously helpful myself. Thanks again for your reply.

more2C

Welcome Chimpgirl!

I too, suffer from a bipolar disorder. I am very lucky because I have a mild form of it, and have responded well to medication. I find that the more educated I am about the illness the easier it is to live with it. Reading and participating on this message board has helped me a lot, too. You will find many different opinions on just about any topic. It is a great support group.

I can recommend the book, by Jerry R. Bergman, Ph.D. called:
Jehovah's Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness
I got my copy at Amazon.com

Looking forward to more of your posts,

more2C

Manic depression/bipolar disorder

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