more abuse in today's watchtower study (page 4)

Pterist

The peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ, .....I guess the GB forgot that.....anything to direct people AWAY from the blessings Christ has purchased for us.....

Pterist

Of course medical attention is needed in many cases.

blondie

*** w83 1/15 p. 27 par. 20 Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits ***

Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot!—Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5.

--------------

30 years ago during the apostasy FEAR era

designs

SHUDDER. I remember when that was read at the District Convention

NewChapter

I don't know if it was my location, or if my congregation was more enlightened, or whatever but. . .

My elders always encouraged people to seek medical help for depression. Courage and depression were never linked (not sure where that came from). In fact, they were always driving others to appointments and if there was no money, finding ways to get them government help. I never saw anything in the WT or from the platform that blamed depression on the individual or lack of faith. Possibly the older publications, but then, the entire world didn't fully understand depression, so that was common everywhere.

Now they may have gone out of their way to 'encourage' prayer, study etc for depressed people, but I didn't see this as offering it as a solution, but more like a depressed person needs lots of encouragement in all areas, and spirituality was their area. Others would encourage they do something for themselves, go for walks, watch movies, eat right---not to suggest it as a cure, but to help with the symptoms and to prevent them from becoming isolated.

When I was depressed, I felt very guilty for not maintaining my spiritual schedule, but elders came to visit me and actually were quite comforting. They told me I should not be so hard on myself, as Jehovah was not that hard on me. Of course, they recommended prayer etc, but only in the doses I could handle---in other words---they weren't pressuring me or offering it as a cure---but just reminding me it might bring me comfort. They ALSO asked me if I had seen a doctor and offered to help pay for the medication. Then they strongly (they said 'strongly') encouraged me to continue with the treatment and to tell them if that presented problems for me (mostly money and rides).

When I had no insurance, an elder's wife took it on herself (because I was in no condition) to find help that I could afford and to make sure I got to appointments.

I had some very dark times. I sometimes marvel that I made it through. They wanted to hospitalize me at one point, and I was strongly resistant to this. I told an elder friend of mine, and he and his wife got on the phone with my doctor and talked for a very long time. They decided (WITH my doctor) that I could just stay with them for a while, and they carefully followed all of the doctor's directions. It was a kind, comforting, warm and loving week, and one of my best memories of being 'in'. It was blame-free and they would not tolerate me laying blame on myself. They reminded me repeatedly that I was very ill and not seeing things clearly. I had done nothing wrong, and they wouldn't hear of it!

As to courage, I take issue with such a comment because of a very specific conversation. I was in the blackest time I could remember, and elders were at my house, and one of them told me he found my courage stunning. He said if he were suffering as I was, and seeing things the way that I did, he doesn't know if he could be as brave. That comment had an amazing effect on me, because I never took credit for any of my strength, yet here was a man that I thought was very strong telling me that my strength and courage had him in awe. That really gave me even more strength.

I'm not a WT apologist, but sometimes people are just not informed. So individuals said and did stupid things. But I don't think such were supported by the WT.

That said, I haven't needed treatment for depression since I got free, and I've had some really upsetting, life-changing things happen that would have caused me to crash in the past. But then, other Christian religions brought on the same kind of depression for me. For me it started big time when I went to Catholic school and learned about Hell (that was actually a new concept to me), and continued as I went to other churches and they made me feel fallen and helpless and defective. The reason I so easily became a JW was because of how messed up Christianity in general had me.

As an atheist, I have found very little that can bring so much angst that I fall into a deep pit. So I don't blame the WT for my depression or accuse them of mishandling it. But I do hold the entire system of Christianity at fault for messing with my head and emotions. For scaring me, for making me feel unreasonable guilt, unreasonable uncertainty, and for making quite minor things biblically epic.

Christ Alone

I think this was the most damaging part of the article:

Medical researchers have long
recognized the curative value of positive
thinking. Many patients given sugar
pills (placebos) have experienced relief
of symptoms simply because they
thought they were getting help. The opposite,
called the nocebo effect, has also
been demonstrated. Patients’ health deteriorated
simply because theywere told
that a drug would have negative effects.
Constantly dwelling on situations we
cannot change may only tear us down.
On the positive side, Jehovah does
not give us “sugar pills.” Rather, even
in times of disaster, he gives real help
through the encouragement found in his
Word, our supportive brotherhood, and
the strength provided by holy spirit. Focusing
on these things will lift us up. Instead
of dwelling on negative events, do
what is practical to cope with each problem
and focus on the positive aspects of
your life.—Prov. 17:22.

Obviously they are trying to tear down the idea of needing REAL anti depressants, not sugar pills. A person suffering from clinical depression is NOT given sugar pills, because their problem is NOT negative thinking. They still don't seem to understand that mental illness is a CHEMICAL imbalance. If you have a chemical imbalance, you can do all the positive thinkiing that you want! But it's not going to do a bit of good. The chemicals that control mood like serotonin and endorphins can fluctuate, causing extreme mood swings. It has nothing to do with how much you are praying and how much bible reading you are doing. It's CHEMICAL.

But to infer that depression is caused purely by negative thinking and a lack of a spiritual life is dangerous and wrong. Depression CAN be situational. But this is usually not the kind of depression that people suffer from. I think we see, in this article, one of the major reasons why suicide is so high in the Watchtower. It's so sad.

Best quote: Jehovah doesn't give us sugar pills.

he gives real help

through the encouragement found in his

Word, our supportive brotherhood, and

the strength provided by holy spirit. Focusing

on these things will lift us up.

No...not if it's a chemical imbalance. I guess you really can't fix stupid.

puffthedragon

Thanks for your comments NC.

steve2

My question is:

How the hell do they do it(remain balanced and un-mentally disturbed)?

Hi Jay88. Your question is relevant. Psychologists have increasingly turned attention to such human characteristics as "resilience" and "philosophical thinking" in their investigations into why some people thrive and become stronger in situations that lead to others losing hope and giving up. It is thought that a combination of heredity, personality style or disposition and immediate environment (i.e., family) lead to people surviving and even thriving during adverse experiences. Only in relatively recent years has a concerted effort been made by social psychologists and sociologists to look at strength-based variables that contribute to more positive outcomes.

elderelite

Jwgone bad has spoken. All is resolved. We can move on now.

Finkelstein

If you are suffering from a mental illness it is your fault.

Yes the tried and true insinuation and implication of guilt.

And don't bring reproach on to God's organization by showing depression either.

Its the persons fault if only they would read and study more of are literature and go out in service,

you'll be embodied in happiness knowing that your doing god's work.

Lets face it the WTS. and its editorial leaders no shit about human psychology and why should they most never finished high school.

more abuse in today's watchtower study

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