by Wake Me Up Before You Jo-Ho 29 Replies latest watchtower medical
Another great thread from Wake-me!
As I posted on another thread:
"To be able to feel sadness and pain without either being consumed or incapacitated by it is in itself an achievement. It is—I have learned—a measure of our progress and growth. A marker along the pathway to healing." - jp1692
Another absolutely brilliant post Wake Me!
Such accurate reasoning, and observations.
Thank you for sharing!
Some amazing insights - great post @Wakemeup
Another way of saying endurance in the JW context is "expectation postponed" and we know where that leads.... "makes the heart sick." Even if you don't believe the Bible is inspired anymore (as I don't) it still has some valid points to make on human nature... add toxic shame into the mix, that constant feeling engendered in you that you aren't good enough or that you aren't doing enough and you have a powder keg.
We know of several families hooked on prescription meds. They actually brag about it. They all looked spaced out!!!
I drank like a fish when I was a JW. Now...I have an occasional glass of wine. Happiness and freedom does that to you!! lol
I need you as my therapist.
Very well written.
I've often told the story that about 20 years ago, I took the time to take an inventory of the ones seated at a weekly meeting. As my eyes moved around the K-Hall, I made mental notes as to who I knew that were either on anti-depressants, or were suffering some new stress related ailment. Virtually every family had an individual, or more dealing with it.
It hasn't changed. Just more new ailments. So sad.
We weren't build for being in a constant "state of war". It has to give eventually.
@LevelThePlayingField Special rates for Lower Midwest clients :).
@nmthinker: "I drank so much as a JW I think I was honestly trying to kill myself and disappear." Believe me - I think there are many "sober" alcoholics within the organization. And by that, I mean, people white-knuckling their way through each day, stubbornly refusing to deal with severe issues at hand and seeking escape in their next bottle of Watchtower-labeled brandy.
Remember this face of defeat from the Bunker videos?
Her potential crime? Entertaining "negative thoughts".
The end result of her boycotting what her mind was screaming at her to pay attention to is self-apparent in the picture above.
When difficult (or "negative") feelings do threaten to emerge, the loyal Witness typically takes fright and looks away. Rather than produce an honest account of feelings, they are coached to go numb (or as the video emphasized, "deaden ourselves"). The only other option is for them to self-deceive with a version of events that is more acceptable than true...
For example, "I'm feeling very stressed from work," instead of "I can't keep up with my theocratic obligations." Or, "I'm just depressed," rather than "I'm furious with the way the brothers handled that." Or, "this movie is completely unacceptable - turn it off!" instead of, "I really want to see what happens in the end."
The Witnesses' problems are compounded by the way that many powerful feelings (especially ones of upset, frustration and betrayal) are not just censored, but strictly warned against expressing to outsiders for fear of "causing divisions". There's just one radical issue with this: feelings that are ignored don't and can't go away. They fester and manifest their energy through an array of health issues, both psychological and physical. As @doubtful1799 put it, it "makes the heart sick." Is it any wonder why each congregation reflects a jumbled bag of pharmaceutical allsorts?
The reality is, feelings are often far from wonderful and seldom should be followed. But we should accept that if we ignore, deny or overlook feelings entirely, the price will ALWAYS be higher and worse. They will exercise a powerful allying subterranean influence across the whole of our lives, buckling and straining our very system of being.
@resolute Bandicoot: "I have seen countless people reduced to mental jelly, drink way too much, fall into chronic fatigue or suffer in other terrible ways due to the alert fatigue and ideological strait jacket imposed by this bunch of clowns." And who's more easier to control and manipulate than the weak and dependent? Interesting to ponder over.
Essentially, I don't think the shelving of "negative thoughts" is any more moral, virtuous and courageous than an axe murder whose axe is put in a hard-to-reach space. You've got issues? Face them.
Feeling social anxiety over being regular in field service? Take a pill.
Feeling stressed and anxious because pioneer life is hard? Take a pill.
Juggling congregation duties, talks, meeting parts, judicial committees? Take a pill.
I've heard it suggested by elders as a solution in order to be obedient to the org...er...to Jehovah.
Some cults use drugs more overtly in controlling the flock, but Watchtower doesn't officially endorse medicating one's way through theocratic activities. However, it is certainly a common practice.
I don't come here often and post even less.I passed your post up a few times looking for something to read then decided to take a look. I must say it was the best thing I've read in sometime. I enjoyed it and the way you wrote it. The comparison to a revolt was very good. I was in the org. for well over 50 yrs. I think it was,at times, the way I felt and I know I've seen it in every congregation I was ever in. Again thank you.
