On request from ”friends thread” I would like to tell you my story. The subject from friends thread was simply : are JW,s more negative or more disordered than “normal” people?
I was 10 15 years ago an elder. In our cong. I had to take care of theocratic school, and at least one point in the service meeting. I sat in comities, had at least one public speech per month in other congs. Often I was invited to give a talk in Circuit assemblies. As an elder I was expected to go preaching at least 10 hours per month. Beside from that I had a stressing full time job and I also had a family with 6 children. The pressure on me was enormous. Sometimes I didn’t even had the time to take care of my personal hygiene.
All this resulted in a severe constant high blood pressure during 10-15 years. So about 10-15 years ago I was stroked with 5 hearth attacks, in a row of 2-3 years. 3 of them was severe and caused emergency transport with ambulance.
My cardiologist (heart specialist) , told me that I do not only need heart surgery, but also Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). So I was ordered to contact a psychologist. I spent more than 40 hours with this therapist. She told me how to say NO THANK YOU , to everything that I did not really want to do.
Hence I went to the elders in my cong and gave in my personal elder books, said to them that I never ever will attend any meeting again, that I never will going in the field service and or report any hours.
I have now been out for more than 13 years, but my wife is still in. During this period I have never ever again had any heart attack. I can see the same tendencies with my wife and are deeply worried that she will suffer the way I did.
Does anyone have these experiences? I have heard rumors that some DC have had hart problems. But are these problems often neglected in favor of others that we often discuss here such as mental disorder, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, depression a.s.f.
Would like to have your opinion and exper.