How Were You Treated as a Jehovah's Witness if You Had Depression ? (page 4)

Witness 007

I knew a brother from Bethel who had depression....another Bethelite spoke to me about this brothers "problem attitude" and made it sound like he was an un-greatful scum-bag, not worthy to work there....the depressed brother moved far away, I hope he's Okay...he was a nice guy.

isaacaustin

You could probably be disfellowshipped for depression

lonelysheep

I was told to pray more and come to the meetings in order to be uplifted. Problem was, being unbaptized and w/an ubm, I was an outcast there. So I was stuck in an emotional purgatory that fortunately resulted in no tragic situations for anyone.

aSphereisnotaCircle

In the White Salmon Washington area i was visiting some friends years ago. One person announced that sister soandso had attempted suicide the previous day and was now in the hospital. One guy, an elder , immediately said rather loudly "well that's an automatic disfellowshipping!" Someone asked why and he said that this sister had gone to the eldersr in the past saying that she was depressed and suicidal, and the bros had made it clear to her that suicide was a sin. So she was willfully sinning!

Fortunatly this sister now belonged to another hall and I don't believe the df'd her.

However she was successful at suicide a few years later.

dogisgod

Study more. Pray more. It actually made it worse. Felt that I was unworthy of help from God.

Had an elder tell a sister (bi-polar) she had a demon problem.....she killed herself. Didn't seem to bother him.

flipper

WITNESS 007- That is too bad that Bethelite saying the brother with depression had a " problem attitude ". That is the problem- and what the ignorance is about in the witness organization concerning depression ! They look down on people who have it.

ISAAC AUSTIN- The way some elders view people with depression - it wouldn't surprise me to see them DF some people with depression just to get rid of them as a problem - in their mind. They are sick.

LONELY SHEEP- The elders always say more meetings, more prayer , more this, more that - but they won't budge a finger to help depressed witnesses to help personally.

ASPHEREISNOTACIRCLE- What a horrible experience of that elder blaming the sister for her suicide attempt ! Ignorant a$$. Since she did eventually commit suicide - her blood is on that elders head, in my opinion.

DOGISGOD- My God ! Another sister killed herself after elders tell her she had demons ?! That makes me so angry ! When will these a$$wipe elders ever be held accountable for the lives they have ruined and for the horrendous counsel they give ? Jesus Christ

AudeSapere

I don't have time to go into my own and my dad's experiences right now (at work).

I suspect that for many of us who become depressed while JW's, the cause is usually one of the following:

Feelings of inadequacy (do more)
Feelings of futility (long waits for unfulfilled promises)
Congnitive Disonance

Any of these three issues can be infectious if someone attempts to 'talk it out'. For that reason, other witnesses tend to keep good distance so they don't likewise fall into what could/would easily become disparaging, faith-weakening conversation.

Thus, a JW with depression is almost treated like a leper.

It's all part of Jehovah's loving arrangement. Give the sad, lonely, depressed person plenty of space - and a nice long rope.

-Aude.

moreisbetter

Very good topic Mr Flipper...thank you for starting it and a Great Big Thanks for all that have shared their experiences and thoughts!

flipper

AUDESAPERE- I agree- witnesses with depression are treated like lepers as you say as the other rank and file publishers get too nervous talking about someones chemical imbalances. They act like a person with depression is poison or something ! Therefore as you said- the depressed person usually is left to fend for her or his self to sort out their problems. It is very sad.

MOREISBETTER- You are very welcome ! I felt it was an important subject which too often gets swept under the rug- especially in the witness cult. I feel that everybody coming on sharing their experiences- can help people to see they are not alone in their struggles as much ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

dwtnphotog

I had an elder tell me that the only reason I could be depressed was that I had sinned and was feeling guilty!

How Were You Treated as a Jehovah's Witness if You Had Depression ?

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