by stillajwexelder 29 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
There is so much depression in the Organization that all these poors souls will view this talk for them as food at the proper time. I hope they go easy on these fragile ones and don't beat them over the head with it with the old line about increasing your field service time and regular meeting attendance as an aid to helping them combat your illness. The organization doesn't know that guilt and is not a good motivating force when you're down.
cybs
Depression has been a MAJOR problem in the organization for many years. I'm amazed it has taken them so long to address this issue.
I highly doubt that they address this issue appropriately. They haven't until now, and I have no faith that they ever will. They will continue to blame the high rate of depression and suicide in the organization on allowing Satan and his Demons? and the Wicked System of Things? to cause their depression and it will not get better unless they stay close to Jehovah? and his Organization? and get to all the meetings and go out in field service and do personal study and personal prayer and ..... yada yada yada!
I am sure they will mention that some have to take a little pill and that it is okay if they have to, but I doubt their level of addressing it goes beyond that!
P.S. Thanks to those in chat that showed me how to do the little ? sign! Alt + 0153 rocks!
I'm sure they'll work something in about "beware of medical professionals who advise you to leave The Truth -- they're really working for Satan and trying to get you away from the meetings and even if the meetings make you puke you still need to be there. Wait on Jehovah, take your meds, and make sure your butt is in the chair three times a week."
Or substance.
Nina
Witness relatives helped my son check out of the mental hospital against medical advise in the middle of his first psychotic break. I was livid! I blame the Witnesses for the years of non treatment and for his present condition. They have much to answer to me for.
each psychologist ended up telling her that the JW religion was highly controlling and partly to blame
In recent years it's been more "okay" to suffer from depression. But they'll never acknowledge how much of their controlling ways and fatalistic outlook on life create the condition in people who put off living their lives for the end that never comes.
alias
P.S. I remember how excited people got when depression was openly discussed in the mags. They finally had permission to be human.
The elders will still have to have a talk with those that are seeking help.....just to make sure they know to be careful what they say!
What help is that?
Moanzy
it is like having diabetes or other illness we would not hesitate to go to a doctor so too if we have a mental illness we should go to a doctor and not feel guilty about it
Several years ago a witness I know told me she and one of her friends were on Prozac. When I questioned her, she said others in her KH were on SSRIs. I was surprised (and rightly so! since she had always been highly suspicious of my talk therapy), but then she explained that the society had changed its viewpoints and mental illness was like [see above quote].
BUT, they were still discouraging the use of therapists & psychiatrists -- the idea was to go to your General Practitioner and get meds.
She was still very resistant to the idea of talk therapy, saying that it was dangerous to 'let these people inside your head', and 'what if they hypnotized me?' based, of course, on ignorance, superstition, and the premise that no worldly people are to be trusted.
alias's comment describes her demeanour.
P.S. I remember how excited people got when depression was openly discussed in the mags. They finally had permission to be human
SO, now that they have their own head shrinkers, they can recommend therapy and keep 'em medicated!
*The Happiest People on Earth*
---- a la Prozac Nation
talesin
I can't even begin to tell you how much this chaps my hide. Reading that just made me livid.
Why the hell was I made to feel like a total failure, a complete waste of spit, and human garbage when I was depressed?? Those @$$holes wouldn't know compassion if it hit them like a Mac truck.
My friend had a sheperding visit for her sever depression 2 years ago. The answer to her depression is:You need to read your bible more, get out in service more and be at all the meetings. That is there solution.....that is professional love from our spritiual leaders.............we are in good hands. She told me she is so depressed she can't concentrate on any reading let alone read the bible............I felt so sad for her because they brought no comfort............they don't know how to handle depression.
So, I wonder if this makes it ok for a JW to go to college to become a mental health professional? And I wonder what kind of advice a so-called JW mental health professional might give?
"Go to ALL the meetings." "Study more." "Comment more." "Invite the friends? over for dinner more."
Walter
