by texastornado 14 Replies latest jw friends
Wanted to drop in and say hello. I was recently given the diagnosis of bipolar after an almost successful suicide attempt. I am getting ready to press charges against my stepdad for sexual abuse when I was younger. I'd like to get a feel for what I am going to get thrown at me. Does anyone know what the WT stand is on mental health issues like the bipolar?
thanks
if you ask a witness, they'll probably say, "isn't it wonderful that in the 'new system', all mental afflictions will be wiped out..." or some prefabricated crap like that.
not much help, huh?
i just feel sorry for you. one of my very good friends is bipolar and it gets really ugly when he doesnt take his meds.
i dont think that they would be opposed to anyone taking meds. back when i was a dub, there was this lady who was the same way (and frequently forgot to take her meds) and the elders never said anything about it.
good luck in your search for answers.
kaykay_mp
Welcome to the board Texastornado
Dismembered
The elders are a lot more educated in most areas about mental illness now than they used to be. They still don't like people to see psychologists, but are generally ok with meds.Personally i see a psychologist because it helps me.
I too am sorry u have to deal with this. it is very important that u take your meds and continue seeing your doctor. A lot of people wih bipolar won't take their meds and end up with needless setbacks There are so many options now as far as meds. Read whatever u can about the disorder. Look it up on the internet. There are chat rooms and mailing lists for persons with this disrder. The internet is a wondrful thing-whatever problems u have-u can generally find a suport group for it.
welcome to this board. wednesday
Welcome to our home in cyberspace Texastornado!
The JWs treat mental illness as nothing short of being spiritually weak. (same for suicide attempts - I've made a couple, and my best friend, a sister, succeeded) The elders will not suggest therapy or medication. They will tell you to pray more, go in service more, study more. Oh - and to stay away from worldly help, least they cause you to stray.
You must take meds, and you must get 'worldly help' for this. There is alot of info on Bipolar on the net. Just do a search and you'll come across a ton of info. There are also support groups.
Sounds like you've been though so much hon. Are you still with the JWs, and what about your family? Do you have a support system to fall back on when you press charges? (I charged my father, so I know the emotions involved with it, as well as the backlash from family and the JWs)
Feel free to email me. I don't want you facing anything like this alone. The people on this site really care - unconditionally, so please lean on us. Being here has literally saved my life once. Make yourself comfy, and feel at home.
ps: If my email doesn't work this week, email me at [email protected]
(((((((((((Texastornado)))))))))))
Mimilly
TexasTornado, I agree with Mimilly on this. They look at you as being spritually weak. I've been down the road with the elders on that issue. I'm also bipolar. After being released from the hospital for depression and substance abuse, they wouldn't give me the time that I needed to get myself together....insisted that I meet with them. It was almost like they were mad that I went to the *world* for help, but didn't come to them. After months and months of refusing to meet with them, they told me that if I didn't meet with them that they would assume that I was excumunicating myself, which they eventually announced. By not following their rules, it cost me my j.w.family. It should be a crime what they do to people's lives.
Bi-Polar? Not good. 'specially cause bi-polars tend to get on their meds, start feeling pretty good, then stop with the meds. Then they hit a low spot and try to end it all. Never, never, never stop the meds and you'll be lots better.
Here's a site for you about depression and such. There's a bi-polar section in here, too:
http://www.wingofmadness.com/index.htm
And a book, "Victims No Longer," Mike Lew.
I think what you've already been told about the JW attitude about depression and other forms of mental illness is pretty accurate. Screw what they think. In fact, I don't think they DO think. I think they just react with a knee-jerk kinda motion. They have no training. The little bit more they DO know now doesn't amount to passing gas in a hurricane - you never notice it's even present.
When abusers are confronted, you can count on, depend on, take bets on they will first deny, deny, deny. That never happened, we didn't live there when you were five, there was no sofa in the basement, my dog didn't bite you, I don't have a dog, my dog was tied up at the time. That kind of thing.
I was with my girlfriend of six years many, many times when intrusive recall came to visit. I believe it is real, and I believe anyone who abuses a defenseless little kid deserves everything we can arrange they can get. I'm with you all the way, and if I can help, let me know.
francois
Hi Tex,,,Everyone has given you good advice Stay on the medicines even if you feel good after a while. My Grand-daughter is Bi also. They tossed her out. because she showed cleavage in her graduating dress( they didnt DF her she wasnt baptised- )but made it so rough that she went out on her own-but I think she STILL thinks its the troof!!! which it definatly isnt.... God bless!!!!
Come back & visit again cheers.
I would add that struggling with taking your medication is probably the most formidable problem a person with bipolar disorder faces. The doctor who wrote the medical textbook on manic depression suffers from the condition herself, and struggled with this same problem. She has written a book that you might find quite helpful to read: "An Unquiet Mind." I thought it was brilliant.
My mother was bipolar. She had here first episode when I was ten. At that time, they did not have any effective treatments. It wasn't until 15 years later that they knew about lithium and it was finally being used. Once, my mother got on medication, she never had another episode, ever again. She was faithful about taking her medications. Tex, regarding sueing your step dad, I wonder if it might wait awhile until the medication smooths you out. Doing it now may be too stress when first starting on therapy. Just a thought.
