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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 1:39:52
I know only I can answer this question, but I guess it won't hurt to put it out there and get other's opinions.
I found a Catholic forum (online message board) that features a section hosted by a Priest. He basically answers people's questions.
I want to know my position with the Church, as someone who has and does suffer from mental illness and what rules I am bound by and how mental illness plays a part in how someone is looked at.
Certain aspects of the Teachings do not make sense to me, but I am trying hard to understand them and I am trying hard to give them the benefit of the misunderstanding. And the anxiety and strange views of things only make it worse.
My fears about this subject are overwhelming and as you can tell by the way I word this post, I am careful as to how I even write this post because I am afraid I will contradict the Faith.
I am afraid of asking because the Creator may be angry with me.
I am afraid of what answer I may get from the Priest.
If I don't ask I will remain confused worrysome about the answer.
It's like a gamble. I could get a good answer that brings me comfort. Or a the opposite.
So confused. =(
Posted by R.-T. V. , 52y on February 25, 2008, at 7:22:25
In reply to Should I ask?, posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 1:39:52
Sorry Mike,
but i did't quite catch your question.
So what is it you should or shouldn't ask? And whom?
Because i am Lutheran, our habits and rituals may differ. But i still believe that we both have the same God? I'd like to give you an answer if you just could put your question more clearly. Or perhaps my poor English skills make it different to understand.
Yours Chris
Posted by Kath on February 25, 2008, at 16:49:02
In reply to Should I ask?, posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 1:39:52
Hi Michael,
First of all, I really fell like I have to be careful, because everyone has different faiths & beliefs & I am not Catholic, so I don't know what those beliefs are.
I am meaning only to be respectful Michael.
I suspect that your faith views the Creator as being loving & caring. I think a lot of religions view 'God' (or whatever word each one uses to describe the Creator) as loving. Whether it's gently loving, or strictly loving, I bet the 'loving' part is usually there.
Secondly, I would strongly suggest that you consider asking more than one Priest about this.
You could even go to individual Priests at different Catholic churches. Is there a monastery near you that you could go to & talk quietly with someone about this? That might be a setting more calm & maybe peaceful & relaxing to you than a church?
I didn't realize that churches would have particular views on mental illness. Shows how much I know/don't know about it.
From my own VERY personal opinion.....I think that each & every one of us has the option of having our own personal relationship with 'God'. I think most religions have some concept of prayer, and prayer is a personal thing between the individual & 'God'. (Of course there are group prayers as well.)
I send you my loving support Michael & hope you consider getting more than just 1 reply.
I think it would be a good idea to ask. Of course, as you said, ultimately it is your decision. I think the most important part is to search out answers - not just one.
luv, Kath
Posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 19:54:48
In reply to Re: Should I ask? » Michael83, posted by Kath on February 25, 2008, at 16:49:02
I asked the question in the "general" part of the forum, where all members could reply.
Last fews days have been stressful. Very stressful. It's always one fear after another. I hate being so worried all the time. =(
I see everyone else out there living life so happy, content with their beliefs. I never get that. =(
Posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 19:57:07
In reply to Re: Should I ask?, posted by R.-T. V. , 52y on February 25, 2008, at 7:22:25
Hi Chris. I basically suffer from constant worry and I never know what to believe (in terms of religion) because I keep asking, "what if I'm wrong, what if I'm wrong?"
I just wanted advice from someone.
Posted by Kath on February 25, 2008, at 20:58:26
In reply to Re: Should I ask? » Kath, posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 19:54:48
(((((((((((((((you))))))))))))
aw Michael.
Good idea to get various answers.
I know what it's like to worry. I think I mostly worry about my son & I think you worry about a lot of things. Worrying is SO stressful.
hope you can relax & take a deep breath & know that you can just take their replies as info.
YOU can judge whether it fits for you or not.
hugs, kath
Posted by Kath on February 25, 2008, at 21:00:16
In reply to Re: Should I ask? *triggers* » R.-T. V. , 52y, posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 19:57:07
If you're wrong, probably the Creator will know that you've been trying your best & that you DO care & want to do what's 'right'....will know of your sincerity
luv, Kath
Posted by Michael83 on February 26, 2008, at 0:02:26
In reply to Michael, posted by Kath on February 25, 2008, at 21:00:16
>>>>>If you're wrong, probably the Creator will know that you've been trying your best & that you DO care & want to do what's 'right'....will know of your sincerity
I hope that every chance I get.
But it's my mind. I have a habit of praying for for forgiveness over and over again whenever I feel guilty and I say "Please forgive me, my mind is broken."
ANd it is. I always think "what if" "what if" over and over and over again. My brain has a habit of just INVENTING a "what if" to scare me.
I found 2 night lights to put in my bedroom, yes, I an adult with 2 night lights, and I keep the TV on all night. This helps. I'm goign to try to get some sleep. Just a few hours ago I was shaking and crying a bit. I'm starting to feel better now after asking for forgiveness.
Posted by Kath on February 26, 2008, at 17:00:26
In reply to Re: Michael » Kath, posted by Michael83 on February 26, 2008, at 0:02:26
Oh Michael I am so sorry.
Do you see a therapist?
I'm also wondering if your doctor or pdoc know how it is for you. How long have you been on your current meds, etc.
You are in my thoughts Michael.
This is sort of blasphemous, so please forgive me okay? But it just came into my mind...if I were God(dess) I'd forgive you! xoxo K
PS - we all believe in 'God' or the Creator in our own way, I guess Michael. I don't belong to any religion, but I believe very strongly in God. "My" God is very loving, caring & understanding...and very forgiving.
At times when I've been worried about my kids, I try to remind myself of what I believe:
God loves them WAYYYYYYYY more than even I - their Mom - loves them. I think God loves us all like that.
You don't seem like a mean or hurtful person, Michael. You seem gentle, caring, kind, thoughtful, sensitive. How could a loving God NOT love you & accept you & forgive you?
I know how vicious worrying can be. My mind sometimes 'scans' to FIND something to worry about, so I know that one.
I think I posted on the Psychology board about a simple technique I learned yesterday at my first Group Therapy session. I said one of my main goals was to learn how NOT to be worrying all the time. The doctor leading the group taught us a method. It's really easy. I'm going to check on the Psychology board after I post this, to make sure I described the method.
I used it today again & HEY - IT WORKED!!!!!
I had to keep doing it for a while. I think for me it's one of those things that it might take me a while to REMEMBER to do it each time I start to worry. Mostly I worry about what will happen in the future with my son. And I worry what's going to happen NEXT with him. It's very stressful, because I'm not even worrying about anything specific.....just this nagging feeling of "Sh*t - I wonder what's going to happen next....there's ALWAYS been something ongoing for 10 years, so of course there is going to be a 'next'...."
Then I feel anxious & can't even enjoy it when nothing is WRONG!!!Anyhow, this method did help me. The doctor said to me, I do NOT think that you can accurately do this exercise and worry at the same time! Tell us next week if you are able to!!
And so what if I have to repeat this over & over...if it works it's worth it. It seems to break the cycle & then when I finally stop, I have some time when i'm Not worrying. Actually, I'll cut & paste it on this board, as it's quite useful & others might like to try it.
warm thoughts, Kath
Posted by Kath on February 26, 2008, at 17:08:50
In reply to Re: Michael » Kath, posted by Michael83 on February 26, 2008, at 0:02:26
Hi Michael, & anyone else who might want to try this.
The doctor at my first Group Therapy yesterday, taught us a really good 'template', she called it. It's to bring oneself into the present, as a tool to help not worry. I used it in the car on the way home & it actually worked.
Here it is for anyone interested:
It's using our senses (5) to get out of our 'head' focus in the 'now'.
Say, "Now I Am Aware of SEEING -----"
"Now I Am Aware of HEARING----------"
"Now I Am Aware of SMELLING---------"
"Now I Am Aware of TASTING--------"
"Now I Am Aware of TOUCHING-----------"
for ex:
Now I am aware of seeing the blue sky.
Now I am aware of hearing the engine of the car.
Now I am aware of smelling the hot chocolate in my cup.
Now I am aware of tasting a sweet taste from the hot chocolate.
Now I am aware of my hands touching the steering wheel.
Then I repeated it, trying to notice different things. If I couldn't notice different things, & the only thing I could notice was what I noticed before, I just said that.
Then I repeated it 2 or 3 more times.
I felt MUCH calmer. Quieter in my mind. Settled down. And those feelings stayed. When a worrying thought came into my mind, I did the exercise again 3 or 4 times.
I find it QUITE GOOD. I guess I could go through the day doing it as necessary!!!!
TODAY - I used it again. I did it slightly different. I found that for me, seeing & hearing were the easiest. And I noticed that when I said, "Now, I am aware of hearing the car engine" or some other sound, it pulled me into the present WAY more than any other sense. So I decided to just keep saying that one. So........
Now I am aware of hearing the windshield wipers.
Now I am aware of hearing the water splashing under my tires.
Now I am aware of hearing the gears change.
Now I am aware of hearing that truck drive by.
etc. It kept me RIGHT in the 'now' & was actually quite enjoyable. Felt one heck of a lot better than worrying!!!
YAYYYYYYYYY
Kath
Posted by Sigismund on February 26, 2008, at 17:40:44
In reply to Should I ask?, posted by Michael83 on February 25, 2008, at 1:39:52
Plenty of people in the Bible argued with God. Job is pretty good at it. God told Abraham to kill Isaac. God also told Lot that He would prefer Lot's daughter to be raped than men to have sex with male angels. I wouldn't worry Michael. God is used to us talking back.
Posted by Michael83 on February 26, 2008, at 20:22:44
In reply to A GREAT method to break the WORRY cycle!! » Michael83, posted by Kath on February 26, 2008, at 17:08:50
I like that technique! Sounds like it could really help. When my worrying is at it's worse, I feel almost disconnected from reality. Something like that could be very helpful.
As for your question, I have never seen a mental health professional, although I have considered it. In the future I might, but I seriously wonder what they could do to help me besides drug me. =(
But I like your technique. =)
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