Being JW and Psychiatry

by prophecor 18 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • prophecor
    prophecor

    In looking at so many post over time, I've come to the conclusion that so many of us as witnesses, seemingly have a predisposition towards emotional disorders and mental illness. Just reading some of the post on suicide, I get the feeling that there is some subtle force that exhibits itself in the teaching in the KH that can have a tendency to draw this kind of energy out of someone.

    I couldn't see it while on the inside, now that I'm out ,however, I can see things so much differently. I can't say its any clearer, so much of the programming still exist in me, however, being able to stand back from the situation, I can see how easy it is to succumb to the guilt, fear and shame that the Society can place upon us.

    Are Jehovah's Witnesses, to some extent, pre-disposed to mental illnesses as opposed to the rest of society? Not that they caused it per say, but if you already have a leaning in that direction to begin with, does it make you more susceptible to mental illness?

    I am a survivor of the psychiatric and mental health system, and often wonder, had I never gotten involved with JW's to begin with, how my possible past might have turned out differently.

    PhessUP

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    I don't know how my life would turn out,,before becoming a JW I was interested in ESP, meditation,,some science,,I was starting to think much more deeply about life and just as soon as I did the JWs got me.

    I may have done alot better or a lot worse had I not become one it is hard to say I guess I don't know,,I don't think there is a formula we humans could grasp that would predict that.

    Maybe everything is predestined who knows? And so the way things turn out was already known from the begining by a consciousness that is not bound by time.

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    But as far as depression goes,,any high control group has that problem,,all the tactic are designed to frighten and make one feel insecure, needy,,never good enough. Those type of feelings make one very prone towards thoughts that raise anxiety,,fearfulness.

    Fear,,is the greatest cause of depression if you ask me. The more you loose fear I think the more you loose depression,,I think you can experience deep sorrow without fear,,and this turns to compassion which is love. I have had waves of this type of sorrow,,while in a trance state,,it has literally knocked me to the floor out of breath with tears flowing like a river,,and when they first started happening they left me weak for days,,but each times something about me has changed for good in a certain direction towards more empathy,, not that I'm gonna give everything I have to the poor,,it is something different tttttttttthan that,,,which seemsd to tone way down my self concern and gets me to notice whats around me. I went through some depression durring the begining,,but know after about 2 years the depression is lifting rather well as I gave myself permission to feel the sorrow and now look at these little episodes as making me more sensitive in a good way.

  • A Paduan
    A Paduan

    Jws are disproportionately represented among consumers of mental health care

  • Little Red Hen
    Little Red Hen

    With so many from within and out of the org seeking psyc treatment, is it unethical for a provider to tell the paitent that they are in a cult? Or to at least ask the paitent if their association with their 'religion' could be causing them trouble? Is there any legal liability for a provider?

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    Little,

    I don't think it to be unethical,,more like you might loose a client or the reason could be to help the person to reason more and more and eventually see they were in a cult. Avoiding the abrupt shock which may or may not be such a good idea.

  • Little Red Hen
    Little Red Hen

    I have always wondered why any of the 5 PhDs I have seen were not able to help me connect the dots. Especially since all i did was bitch bout my in-laws. Anyway, finally looking for answers was empowering...and validating.

  • garybuss
    garybuss

    Living with a person with mental illness can make a person ill. The Witness group is a mentally ill group by legislation and constant association with them had detrimental effects on me. When we detach we can have separation anxiety and when we leave for a time we can suffer post incarceration syndrome much like a prisoner released from prison.

    I lived with a mother with untreated mental illness and that had it's effects. It takes some time to recognize the neurotic symptoms after living with such a person and accept treatment for the symptoms. Denial protected the sick parent and denial protects the sick group.



  • prophecor
    prophecor

    So is that why I can feel as if the prison cell is open, and though I take leave from the cell, having a measure of freedom, I can still find myself back in the cell, possibly trying to seek what I thought was the comfort that the prison provided?

    Thanx ahead of time Gary Buss

  • wednesday
    wednesday
    Jws are disproportionately represented among consumers of mental health care

    well, having been in the "system" myself I can also say, religious people and the homeless are disproportionately represented too. The most comoon delusions and hallucinations are religious in nature.The next is probably the FBI type insanity. That said, are u mentally ill b/c u are homeless or homeless b/c u are mentally ill? Are u a JWS b/c u are are mentally ill, or are u mentally ill b/c u are a JWS?

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