When your mind, thoughts, emotions and behavior are controlled by someone other than yourself - you become messed up. - the hallmarks of cults, like JW's - whose life are you living? Cognitive dissonance abounds on a daily basis.
My true believer and zealot JW dad killed himself one year ago this week and was literally surrounded by the bound volumes the last months of his life, (and 43 years prior) always searching for the "proper viewpoint" on matters and unable to make decisions without the WTS guidance. As I mentioned on the other suicide thread, I have known personally 10 other JW's who ended their lives.
When my dad was in the mental unit of the hospital, another sister from our cong, had admitted herself (suicidal) . She was so worried that word would get out that she was there. The ward was frequented by MANY from all over our area - all the workers knew JW's. This sister suggested that we, "RUN" from our cong. which was part of the reason she was ailing so, - well, we haven't seen her since, but would like her to know that we not only RAN from our cong., but from the whole CULT !
We did appreciate the book by Jerry Bergman, "Jehovah's Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness" which does point to the high JW rate of mental illness at 7 times greater than general population. We were hard pressed to count the number of people in our own cong that were not medicated for panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, social anxiety etc. Sound familiar?
Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by suicide. We appreciate having found JWD to share our thoughts and feelings with those who can best have an understanding of what we have all gone through .
