Hi,
Hope your day is going well.
Hey lots of people over the last few weeks have been asking me about spirituality and bipolar disorder.
So I wanted to talk about it today.
Many people, whether they have bipolar disorder or not, or are supporters or not, go to church only on Christmas or Easter, and consider that being spiritual (or religious).
Well, I’m not being judgmental of that, really I’m not. Actually, I’m not even talking about religion at all. I’m talking about spirituality (whatever your choice of religious beliefs).
According to a study in “Annals of Epidemiology,” people who attend religious services tend to be healthier than the rest of us.
This report came out earlier this year, but it’s only the latest in a series of studies which have explored the link between spirituality and our health.
This research has found that meditation and prayer seem to be associated with “improved immune systems and fewer episodes of chronic inflammation.”
Ok, so let’s talk about how that relates to bipolar disorder.
In my courses/systems, I talk about how important it is to stability to keep yourself healthy by keeping a good sleep schedule, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
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But there are other things to consider to have a healthy body as well, like this article says, like your spirituality – whether you have bipolar disorder or are supporting someone who does.
Most people don’t consider their spirituality as being as important as it is, when they’re considering what things make up the stability of their bipolar disorder.
In this article, it doesn’t just talk about the physical benefits of spirituality, but the mental health benefits as well.
People who practice spirituality in their lives have a lower stress rate, and also a lower rate of depression just in general.
They tend to be more positive people, and they also tend to be happier.
They also tend to find more fulfillment in their lives.
There was even a study back in September by the Journal of Affective Disorders that showed lower suicide rates among people who regularly attended religious services.
People who practice some form of spirituality take better care of themselves in general.
Now, I am definitely not preaching at you, or telling you that you need to believe a certain way.
But I am telling you that you need to take are of yourself both physically and mentally. And don’t forget spiritually as well.
Do you agree or disagree?
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Post responses below.
Do you think that this might be a bit dangerous to encourage? What happens when people wake up and realise that they have been clinging to an imaginary friend? That can be just as bad as relying on just one person for help and support – what happens when they go away?
I find that it is easier to accept that we are meat and chemicals, that we live on this earth because it was the only place in the this solar system that supports our type of life – this also gives me more hope for my bipolar disorder. It means that I take my medication and I know that this life is for the living. It is more important to make up your mind to strive to be a good person and be the best that you can be. You shouldn’t be doing it because a book or organisation tells you to, you need to come to a place in your mind that wants to do it for yourself. That means controlling your bipolar disorder if at all possible and doing the best that you can!
On the other hand, most support groups are from some religious organisation, so that is a good thing.
Hi Dave,
Hope you are having a great day. I personally believe that
spirituality is important for everyone. I believe church attendance is an important part of it, but taking a vigorous walk on a starlit night,walking along a beach,day or night, taking time to enjoy the beauty of all the seasons,watching the flowers that you planted grow and flourish, being supported by good friends and a host of other things all help me in my spirituality as well.
I enjoyed reading today’s email. Keep up the good work!
Thanks,
Judy
Dear David,
I absolutely believe (KNOW) that God believing and God fearing people are healthier and have a better outlook on life. That is not to say that they don’t have problems and sickness like everyone else, but they have an inter strength that gives them faith and hope.
I agree with what you are say. I am a supporter of an adult with Bipolar,
Thanks
Dave: I usually don’t respond to your comments at all. But I will today. I agree that spirituality is an important part of the picture. It helps for someone to be grounded. I am a Bi Polar Supporter of a 19 y/o (almost 20). I have been through many issues with him. Not to mention alone the medication issue, which is very hard to deal with. I recently went back to my church that I was attending 4 years ago and had stopped attending because issues and life got to complicated. I have found that I am stronger and more okay with this now that I have somewhere to go. I feel that I am better able to handle the struggles that are happening with my son in terms of medication and other issues. Thanks for all your comments and everything you talk about. I am grateful that you are there to say these things. I have forwarded several of them to my son’s email, whether he reads them or not I am not sure. I just feel good about sending them to him, so that I know I have tried.
Suzanne
David, I am a Christian. I can see what you are saying when you say that ” spiritualality”, helps this disorder. I am a little more stronger when it comes to who we turn to, which is Jesus. But one thing I have found is that, in the church there is a unheathy way that wellintned people have try to deal with the behaiviors of a person who has this. Spicificaly, after two years meeting with a couple who was try to help my wife and I, I was worn out and extreamly disappointed as to how this coulple could not see the double life my wife was portrying. One thing I have learned id that you can not get to the bottom of any problems nor can they be resolved. Jill would just not allow it. My point. They tried praying through this problem, they accused me of not being loving enough, all the while my family was being destroyed. Jills extreme yelling and unfounded accusation that gave her reason to do some bizzare behavior was never seen by the those in the chruch. She had quite a pleastnt and convincing personalty. This of coarse caused quite alot of frustration in me. So, now that I am seeing this from the perspective of a disorder, I now feel releived that I need to help Jill in this and not blame her, nor fight her.
What this has to do with what you are saying is , people at times try to “HEAL” people in this state instead of helping some one walk in it. Nor are they equipped to help the person who walks with a person with this disorder. I had to go outside the church to get help. I only had 3 people who belived me that the problems we were having was due to the way my wife painted a picture of me. It was a most difficult itme from. Im still healing from it.
Marshall
Hi Dave,
I don’t agree with you 100% on those who pratice spiratuality are healthier and suffer less stress. I consider myself to be very spiritual and my bi polar is still bad and my stress levels are out of sight. I do however agree that when my stress level is way out there and I pray I do feel better. It doesn’t help with the bi polar though. I don’t see how it can help someone who has a chemical imbalance in their brain. It is probably because my brain is chemicaly imbalanced is why I can’t see it.
I do enjoy getting your articles each day and have shared some with not only my theripist but my Dr. Keep up the good work.
I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT A STRONG FAITH BASE AND GOOD HEALTH. WHEN I GO TO CHURCH AND TAKE PART IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP I FEEL PEACE FROM THE INSIDE OUT.WHEN I FEEL THAT I FEEL HAPPY,AND HAPPY MAKES ME FEEL HEALTHY.
Hi Dave:
My new blog site please post something if you have time. I agree with spirtuality as helper especially all the time. God is Omnipresent! The issue I’m having is my son who has bipolar 1, will not attend church with me or us. I asked for this friday, it will be a miracle if he goes or stops his friday night episodes.
Martin Nieves
i agree totaly, dave. i know for myself, when im not in a good place mentally my spirituality nose dives but trying to stick to routines and praying and asking for help helps me to recover quicker.
i think this is especially true because being a christian teaches you to have self-control and limits. not to limit the fun in your life but limit the negative affects your behaviour has on others and yourself and trying not to have a negative attitude.
and also when you mess up and the people closest to you are supportive christian friends they do not condemn the mess you made or the hurtful things you did/said. they help you pick up the pieces and start again.
dave i must say quickly before i have to go, your daily emails are a strong encouragement to me in times of need, keep going.
give thanks to god for you
I can agree with many of the comments already made here. With a sister who has this problem, and she isn’t really able to attend any church due to her desire to want to ‘control’ what she hears from any pastor. So she has to stay out of the church proper . But she does have friends who do keep her well informed and our mom does go, so she is able to recieve some help there. I can vouch for the fact that it does help one’s personality as I did see a change in my sister’s life when she was able to recieve the Lord in her life. But it wasn’t an easy time for her. She has been like this since she was 12 yrs. old. But her condition is not as bad in some ways as it was many years ago. She calls me too many times in the week, and that can be annoying to me when I have nothing new to share with her. I know that she is concerned and that she wants to stay in touch, but there is a point of ‘freedom’ that the Lord does give that is encouraging too. He can free the mind of the worries that exist and give healing there, but He is the One who chooses to give it, and the recipient is blessed when that happens. But Worry is a sin, and a hard one to avoid for anyone. But for those who have ‘bipolar’ as my sister does, it is even harder to avoid. So I do pray for her, and she prays too. But it is not always an ‘easy’ road. It is one that requires a ‘cross’ to be carried, as Jesus carried a cross, and that is life long, not a one time thing. Maturity comes at different rates in life, growth is slow, in many cases and wisdom doesn’t come overnight . Though the Lord can and does give Wisdom to those who ask Him . It must be asked for in Faith, and not wavered over He is the one who determines what you get, and how you use it is your choice . But to be pleasing to HIM , one must use it in faith to be blessed. This takes much discernment and patience as well as an ability to recognize the difference between worldly wisdom and Spiritual wisdom. Only God can give True wisdom, man gives what he ‘thinks is right in his own eyes’ and that can get man into a lot of trouble.
Thank you Dave for your continued e-mails and support. The line where you said, hate the disorder, not the person. This is an example of unconditional love. You have a great heart and your Mom is lucky to have you. But what about the person who can’t stay out of legal trouble? The physically violent person. The suicidal or homicidal tendencies of the disturbed patient? I have a friend that I cannot live in the same town with because he would destroy my life. How can I love unconditionally when he won’t take his meds and he stays in trouble? Everyone in his life has abandoned him because of the drama. I feel guilty but I have my elderly parents to think of and my nurse’s license that he threatens to call the board and tell them I abuse him emotionally. He loves me one minute and threatens to hurt me and my family the next. He needs to be locked up but no one will commit him. Everyone is afraid of him. Underneath this scary faccaad is a very sad lonely disturbed mentally ill man that has tried many times to commit suicide and has spent 5 years in prison because of methamphetamine abuse. He has a dual diagnosis of addiction and personality disorder and gets a social security check every month. Please write to me and let me know what to tell his grandmother to do. She is his caregiver and has had to call the police 2 nights ago because she is terrified of him. He is now living in his car and it is 20 degrees in Arkansas. HELP!!! We need lots of prayers, Dave.
Hi Dave,
I agree with you on spirituality. It has helped me to be a better supporter for my boyfriend. It has gotten me through a nasty divorce. My faith has grown and now am committed to helping other people through Social Work and also when I get my certificate for Sign Language to help still others. I am in leadership at the church I attend. It keeps me going through tough times.
Hi Dave
I agree with you,those who practice spiratuality are stronger and happier and suffer less stress,my wife suffer from sever depression and i try to support here put i fail,she do not agree and she do not listen to me,because she expose to sever stress in my former land”{Iraq} and since one year we are in Netherland ,she used the antidepressent medication but of no use all the time remembered the past events.
Thanks
Hisham
I have heard and strongly believe it to be true that many saints (considered as so in the Catholic church) had actually been bipolar, so when I was diagnosed with such ailment, I decided I wanted to be a saint. But I think most saints did not have medication. So, it was their illness and their faith that drove them there.
Can some forms of spirituality actually trigger an episode? My experience is that as soon as spirituality turns into dogmatic religion, we are right in the middle of an uncontrollable manic episode where my partner’s spirituality becomes the central focus of delusion. I must admit that after this has happened now a few times, I am very turned off by, and really quite afraid of the church’s role in my partner’s healing.
Without becoming “preachy” or radical, I think some measure of spirituality in one’s life is VERY important when one suffers from bipolar disorder. I also think that “spirituality” can mean different things to different people. Some people actually get down on their knees and pray out loud, some just pray silently, some don’t pray at all, but they believe in some higher power, a reason for being. It helps to feel that you were put on this Earth for a reason. Whether you go to Church or not isn’t relevant. Just to think about things a little deeper than what’s on the surface helps…
To KP: Yes, religion OR spirituality CAN trigger an episode. During my first hypomania, I read the Bible INTENSIVELY, reading into it things that weren’t there. I then became CONVINCED that I was Jesus as a woman. Too many GOOD things were happening to me to just be “coincidence;” I wss being “blessed.” I was engaged; got my “dream job” in the Senate in D.C.; had my first apartment; etc. Along with this delusion, I also believed I had “psychic” powers, and could prophesy. I could actually SEE the future, and this scared my parents and my PCP. What started as hypomania, evolved into a full-blown manic episode, though they called it schizophrenia (1968). My surgeon called a meeting with my parents and me, and “suggested” that I needed a “rest,” and to be admitted to the Psych Ward of the hospital where I had had my surgeries. Not being grounded in reality, I thought I was going “upstairs” where I could believe what I sincerely BELIEVED I WAS.
It didn’t take long for me to figure out that I had a “mental illness,” and was given medication for it. At first, one of my peers suggested I put the pill under my tongue; but the nurse got wise, and watched me swallow it. THAT was the “beginning of the end” of my synchronicity with God…
I KNOW I upset my parents, especially my Dad, when he learned I was no longer a virgin. THAT seemed to bother him MORE than my being hospitalized on the Psych Ward! My Dad had such BIG plans for my future, and now they were kaput. I cried almost every day for 2 weeks, saying, “Why me, Lord?” After the “high” comes the “crash,” and I wouldn’t want to go back there for all the tea in China. Unfortunately, whether I was on my meds and following a treatment plan, I had two MORE full-blown manic episodes, all in my 20s. My last one was when I was 29. I haven’t been hospitalized since 1977.
As far as “Church religion” is concerned; I have the same problem as the above people – I “think” the pastor is talking straight to me, and I can “imagine” what he’s going to say next. This is VERY disconcerting, and ruins the service for me. I get awfully nervous in Church, and avoid it like the plague…
However – I believe I am a “spiritual being.” I believe in God, Jesus, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and in the Power of Prayer. It has even been “proven” that the prayers of righteous individuals can “heal” someone who the doctors have given up on. As the Bible says – “where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with you.” There have been countless times when I almost died – and have been called a “miracle” by my doctors. This didn’t happen by chance. If you sincerely open yourself to the Lord, and believe that you are forgiven, the Holy Spirit will come into your life, and direct your steps with wisdom. This is NOT to say nothing BAD will happen to you if you are saved. On the contrary – the Devil will try his darndest to upset the apple cart and divert your way to sin. Whether he does this with financial, physical, or mental problems, doesn’t matter. Just put your FAITH in the Lord and ask for Wisdom. Couldn’t hurt 😉
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
Dear Dave,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Ironically, I’ve been doing a lot of research into this very issue recently — but for a different reason. I am a supporter of someone whose Bipolar I includes delusional & hallucinatory aspects, many of which are intertwined with her spirituality. She herself distinguishes between the two. While she regularly prays & meditates, which seems to help her very much, she’s also begun to see God as spiteful and angry, believe that people she meets are demons, etc. I am deeply confused about how to deal with this, where to draw the boundary between delusion & spirituality (or if I even should), etc. I suppose those delusions/hallucinations that help her belief system & don’t harm her or others are okay. HOWEVER: (1) I worry that encouraging spirituality in her will concurrently encourage these more negative beliefs & (2) I am particularly concerned that those beliefs of hers that relate to spirituality tend to be persistent/chronic, and I thought that, with bipolar, they only manifested during episodes (particularly manic episodes)?? If they are persistent, does that mean she may have been misdiagnosed or that she may also suffer from a separate psychosis, or can this kind of thing be part of bipolar?? PLEASE HELP!!
I NEED AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.
Once an unmedicated bi-polar person goes schizo is there any chance they can be normal again? Can something like a picture trigger them to come out of the episode? Please someone answer or direct me to the answer – without charging me for it.
Dave—-yes to spirituality playing a big part in all aspects of our lives. I am no longer in the same city as my son, who has bipolar, but still very much involved. Believe me, an episode can reach you long distance!! My belief has kept me going. I have been able to calm down by simply saying a quote from the bible— “Be still,and know that I am God”
Keep up the help you are giving to us all. God Bless!
Alice
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your hard work and awesome help. Yes, our mighty Creator God knows exactly what we need. I’m diagnosed Bipolar, and I’m good friends with a dear man who is Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder too. Only by the grace of God can we care and give unconditional love. I am also diabetic, and so will not stop taking my medication – I believe God has provided wisdom and people like you and chemists who can produce the medication we need to help see us through. When my dear husband died of a viral infection 17 years ago, leaving me with 4 young children, I certainly leaned heavily on my God, not some imaginary friend. I was so upset and angry when my sister in law accused me of using God as a crutch. How silly of me to get upset – of course I needed a crutch. Who wouldn’t in that situation? I fortunately did not use drink or drugs or sex or even work as a crutch, and believe me, God did not mind being used as a crutch. “The fool says in his heart there is no God”, says the Word of God, and if God says that. who am I to argue. When you really love someone, you are so sorry for having done things to have hurt them, you want to do the right thing, and when you surrender to our wonderful, loving God, He helps you to do what is right. How much better is that than trying your very best to achieve total perfection all by your fleshly self!!! My 4 children were also all diagnosed as learning disabled, all with very high inteligence, but with moderate to severe dyslexia, asthmatic, poor muscle tone and co-ordination. They went to remedial schools, worked very hard, achieved very well, and when teachers and therapists often told me that I must be doing something right, I knew what it was – I surrendered to God, and asked Him for wisdom. Who do I think I am to be able to cope with 4 bright, tallented different personalities in my own strength! Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up! Keep up the excellent work dear Dave, and may our glorious God strengthen your inner man to fulfill your purpose in life.
I Agree.Dave, I know for a fact it has helped me alot.
When you feel you have lost it all and you have no place to go but to the Lord in prayer and start seeking what JESUS was about and you start trying to apply those scriptures to your life, your thoughts, yes it is healing to the soul and mind,which made me healthier.
Dave,thank you so much for your daily emails,and help.
God Bless You..
I have a question for Theresa:
Is this person diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia? They are two separate disorders.
Perhaps this will help.
Also to Theresa:
Quite often, someone who is in a bipolar “manic episode” can show some symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia. Only their psychiatrist can tell for sure. If you can just get them to go to their doctor.
Dear Theresa:
Unfortunately, the only way to get the person to “come out of it” is to get them back on their medication. But they might need their meds adjusted or changed,so that is why they need to get to the doctor ASAP.
hello!dave,It’s peggi,I have to agree with you I’m spiritual,Not that go church but I do pray at night before close my eyes.and when I get up and open eyes so happy again that I can still see to use my computer today.It’s like taking day by day.thank god.I pray for daughter who’s falling a hole that I don’t believe she has a problem she believe everyone else has the problem,her husband ask her for divorce because lisa believe she go out with men and it’s ok.the who hurt are my son inlaw ,my grandson whos 6 year old, and me,because john was the rock in our family now we have nothing.so if you pray please do .thank you peggi schimmel
Hi Dave
Thank you for your every day support e mail, I agree with you regarding going to church, because I do am born again christian, am glad to know about the work you do . it is great keep going may the lord bless you for you have been a helper for all of us supporters and bp loved one, am very greatful and speechless, I will write again to tell you how you made things so clear and understandable, bless the lord my soul and all that is within me.
It’s just like those folk who think they will fail … and they do because they believe they will fail. So, it doesn’t matter if there is, or is not, a God (of whatever kind) If you believe there is a God of some sort, and if you believe your God will help you, then the perception of getting help tends to be self fulfilling because you believe it will happen. It’s a kind of placebo effect: The drug can be just a sugar pill but it can make many people better because they think the pill is something it is not that will cure them. Mind over matter.
Personally, while I think there is a something that can be called “God”, I don’t perceive this God to be a personal one that will intervene on behalf of individuals who worship it. Indeed, I find the logic in all this rather twisted: I mean, why would God help us defeat BiPolar if He gave it to us in the first place? That would be kinda warped. Assuming such a “personal” God knows what we need, He should know we need Him to show some compassion by at least not giving the BP to anyone else.
Sammy
The answer is “yes”, if someone does not take their meds that can eventually level out. But without the meds, recovery takes longer and the longer it takes the more likely it is the person in the episode will give up and take their own life.
The other thing worth noting is that current medical opinion seems to be that when BP is untreated it gets progressively worse. But when it is treated, it can be stabilized.
Dee Dee, you couldn’t possibly have been Jesus because I am!
Jokes aside, isn’t this the problem we all face? How can be tell the difference between a “real” religious experience and a mental illness induced delusional religious experience? Indeed, IS there are difference?
I agree that spirituality, faith and prayer can help you deal with stress and give you a more positive outlook in life. I don’t think it necessarily makes you healthier though. And you don’t have to go to church to be spiritual.
THERESA, the only way to bring someone out of a manic episode is through professional help and meds. Depending on the severity of the episode the person will have to get help from a doctor, psychiatrist, maybe be admitted to the psych ward to come back to earth level. Otherwise they are most likely to crash into depression. If your loved one shows symptoms but has not been diagnosed, s/he will have to be tested and assessed by a psych doc. S/he could have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or both.
Hi David
I completely agree with you that spiritually is good. I myself as a supporter I observe my religion, I go to church every single week and I feel really good about it. With hope, faith and prayer my burden is not that too heavy, thats my belief.
For GRAHAM: Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me! Here’s the confusion: She’s ON her meds, taking them religiously, and is NOT in an episode right now. So does the fact the she’s on meds, not in an episode, perfectly functional & coherent otherwise, but believes that the guy at the bookstore checkout counter is part-demon mean that she’s really schizophrenic & has been misdiagnosed, or can this be part of bi-polar even when someone is stabilized on meds???? Someone help! Thanks!
Dave,
This is definitely a fact. One can choose to except this mere fact or not.It will not change the fact that this is absolute “TRUTH”.
I am only a recent supporter that have just recently joined in marraige to a bi-polar Reverent. I did some research before I prayed and asked God if this was my husband. I understand that I have power “over all the works of the enemy”. I am not saying that things are always peaches and cream. There are definitely challenging times. My victory comes from knowing and believing who’s I am and who I am. Please “pray my strenght in the Lord”.
B = because
E = Emmuel
L = live
I = I
E = expect
V = victory
E = everytime.
i am 100 percent with you on this which spirituality is the top part of any body life for healty or not healthy human miracle can happen by going within and find your true GOD soul and spirit guide to get help at any aspect of your life by have a faith trust belive hope on GOD and be presistence and not giving up every thing is possible which i am hoping for my daughter with biopolar and manic depression and thank u for all of the information fromm your website which i am working on my self as a care giver i can just say GOD BLESS U AND THANK U
Dear Graham:
Aside from a psychotically-induced religious “experience”, I don’t necessarily believe that one needs to have an actual “experience” with God/Jesus/Whoever per se…in order to have spirituality in their life. Religion and spirituality are actually two separate things, although intertwined and ocassionally overlapping.
I believe that thinking or believing that “God gave us bipolar disorder” is convoluted thinking. God did not give us anything we can’t handle. He did not in fact, “dole out” any sort of punishment to anyone specifially in the form of bipolar disorder. Also, I firmly believe that “The Lord helps those who help themselves”. I find these beliefs help alleviate my depression slightly.
Dear Dave, i agree 100% on spirituality for peace and tranquility for the Soul! I have been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and I am a bipolar supporter, of two people; my strength definitely comes from the faith in my savior Jesus Christ!!!!! May God continue to bless you and keep you in your endeavors!
Hi Dave, my name is Paul my mother and grandmother have been getting your newsletter for the last 3 months ever since i was diagnosed with bipolar. I agree with what you are saying about meditation. as a younger child i was very heavy into my martial arts Footsung there is a lot of meditation in my art. After my 23rd birthday i stop going and went on a down ward spiral since then, i got into drugs and alchol and became a living nightmare with my uncontrolable mood swings. Since ive been diagnosed i have returned to my arts and feel 100% better ive had only a few episodes and that was depression, with a breakup from my better half ( she couldn’t handle my mood swing, she was scared to come home not know if i would be happy or sad, what scared her the most was when she would come home and find me on a high ten foot tall and bullet proof lol. And a minute later go into a rage, she couldn’t handle it any more. Getting off track here, since i have gone back to training i have applied for the military ( something that i would never be able to do in the past) and have just been accepted. I would like to thankyou on behalf of all my family for the encouragement and advice you have given us, if nothing else you will now know that at least one persons life has been changed for the better. Again i thank you Paul
There is a bipolar disorder, besides I and II that is called (I translate) pschyzoaffective bipolar disorder. People who suffers this disorder do have delusions and hallucinations, but it is not schizophrenia. I do have this type. I have a bible teacher
who thinks the delusions I once had (before medication) were contacts with demons.
I have a nice studying psychology who spent a six month practice term at a psychiatric clinic. She said she met a number of interns who had religious experiences. If people believe in a supernatural world, how can we separate illness from actual supernatural experiences?
My boyfriend has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and is on disability since 1993. He told me tonight that he has been “called to preach” despite the fact that he cannot talk to ME for more than 10 minutes at a time and has extreme difficulty reading due to ADHD and dyslexia. He is also not American-born and his native language is not English. Every time he gets manic he also gets delusional. When he gets this way, the ONLY thing that he can think about is the Bible, Jesus, and Dr. Charles Stanley (an Evangelical televangelist who unfortunately is based in our city). Nothing else is important to him. His mother was hospitalized with a life-threatening illness one time and all he cared about or wanted to do was go to church; we attended THREE church services at different churches that day, and not once did he call his brother to see how his mother was or if she was even still alive. If we try to talk him into going to just one church he gets mad and accuses us of trying to “control” him. When he is “spiritual” he says mean, hateful things to his family and to me and does not care if we live or die as long as he can go to church. When he is stable, he is loving, caring, and concerned about the most minute aspects of our lives, but when he is in the grip of mania and delusion he makes us all miserable. He will drive his car at 110 MPH on the freeway because he is convinced that God will protect him. If allowed, he will give away all of the money he has with him to the church or to a person who “looks like they need the money” because “God loves a cheerful giver.” The worst part is, when he IS stable, a chance meeting with someone he knows from a church, or even just seeing a billboard or bumper sticker mentioning Jesus, can trigger a manic/delusional episode, even when he is taking his medication. And once, “God” told him to stop taking his medication!!! So, a resounding NO to your question of whether or not spirituality is a good thing.
The way I understand faith, I cannot imagine attempting to live in this world without God, and His Word. Many brilliant atheists have come to “believe” as they studied the Bible, attempting to dispute it. The Claims of Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, having power to give eternal life to all who trust in Him for Salvation from sin, is offerred to all mankind. We are told we can find God if we seek Him with all of our heart and soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 Life in this world is a gift from God allowing us to recognize we have a creator that molded us for His purposes. He gave us free will, to choose or reject the offer of a personal relationship with Him. When Jesus left the earth, He promised those who believe and trust in Him that He would not leave them here alone, but would send a comforter, the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us as we make it thru our journey. John 14:16,17 and 26. The more we trust in God each moment of our day we can draw on the power given us by the Holy Spirit, to do God’s will. We cannot experience the abundant life of faith God plannned for us by our own human efforts. God planned our lives to inner-act with Him. He created us for relationship with Him and with one another. 1 John
4:7 says God is Love. True, unconditional, love comes from God and is only possible with Him as part of the picture. John 15:13-14. Revelations 21:4 Tells us there is a plan of God where there will be no more death, pain, sorrow or crying. New bodies will be ours in Heaven. No depression, no bi-polar, no sin or evil at all is promised to those, who remain in Christ. He is the potter, we are the clay, in relationship with God there is purpose in every day. Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah18:4, Romans 9:21 thru 29. Romans 8:28 Seek God, trust in Him with all your heart. Seek for Truth, you can know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 14:6 and John 8:32. Faith in the sacrificial death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, allows us to receive God’s forgiveness, it does not make us perfect in this world. Perfection is promised in eternity. I look forward to that. David, thanks for asking about our thoughts on spirituality.
Hi Dave,
First just want to say thanks for all your support my husband is bipolar & since I started receiving your e-mails I seem to cope a lot better.
I completly agree with you because I am a beleiver & if it wasn’t for my faith my husband & I would no longer be together. I have in the last week had to put him into hospital as he believed that he was better & didn’t need to keep taking his medication or attend therapy.
I have one question I am in Australia & I have not been able to find any support group for me that is for carers that work full time most of the groups that I have been incontact with run during the day & are for elderly I don’t beleive that I fall into that catagory as I am only in my early 40’s. Can you or any of your supporters help.
Okay, so I call my sis-in-law, she recently moved to a different county and has had trouble getting her medical care. She is on Lexapro. Well her medication is getting low so she starts adjusting on her own. Well when I talk to her today she is not herself. She wants to leave her partner, just leave, leave all her stuff and just take the car and go. I try to get her to call the crisis hotline (you wouldn’t believe what I had to do to get that number in another state)…she can’t right now because “they” are watching. If she leaves right now they will hunt her now. When I talked to the crisis hotline they said that they cannot send anyone out and because sis isn’t threatening anyone the police will not go out. I can just imagine what she is going through right now and to think my (estranged) daughter must be going through this too. There HAS to be something we can do!!!!
Dave;
WAKE UP!
ALL Know the psych./Meds combo are the DISSORDER.
WHY DO YOU BUST YOUR ARSE TRYING TO PUSH THIS SHIT?
NO SCIENCE BACKS ANY OF IT…..
THE DSM, PROFESSORS STATE IS FRAUD.
I SEE IT AS A BOOK WHICH DESCRIBES THE EFFECTS OF PSYCH. “MEDICATION.”
GET A LIFE, LEAVE US ALONE.
Is there some kind of weather wave that sets off episodes? Or is it just more prevalent? Could it be poor diets? I am noticing a lot more people having problems lately.
Do you really have to approve negative comments with foul language?
Hi Dave,
It has a lot to do with spirituality, believe me. I am a living testimony