Also on Beliefnet's Bipolar Resource page is my article on the intersection of spiritual life and bipolar disorder.
I don't think I'm romanticizing my bipolar disorder in saying that my real faith, the engine that propels me to love better and be better, was born during my severely ill days, that my mood disorder has been a helping hand in teaching me what I'm made of.
Not only can bipolar disorder act as a refiner's fire, purifying the faith of a believer, but manic depression itself, can mimic the behavior of someone growing in her spiritual life. That's great news for me! The next time I get manic and tell an inappropriate joke to a colleague, I can say that I'm just getting closer to God, that's all. A confusing statement, but a true one, I believe.
Carmelite scholar Kevin Culligan, O.C.D., explains this concept in his fascinating essay that was published as part of Dr. Keith J. Egan's book, "Carmelite Prayer: A Tradition for the 21st Century":
The spiritual life can also easily mask a bipolar disorder or what has traditionally been called a manic-depressive condition. As a mood disorder, depression has usually been linked in systems of classifications of mental disorders with mania, an agitated mood that is at the other end of the affective continuum opposite a depressed or dysphoric mood. Manic symptoms are many: inappropriate elation, excessive irritability, severe insomnia, grandiose notions, increased talking, disconnected and racing thoughts, heightened sexual desire, markedly increased energy, poor judgment, and disruptive social behavior. These symptoms may suddenly appear in a person committed to the spiritual journey and life of prayer as making dramatic prophetic gestures, for example, standing on the street corner denouncing abortion or announcing the imminent Second Coming, or giving away one's financial savings to charitable causes.
Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross both stress that social consciousness and service of others are effects of genuine contemplative prayer. However, the sudden extreme, and, to one's family and friends, embarrassing character of a manic episode makes it easily distinguishable from the social fruits of contemplative prayer. Two or more of the manic symptoms noted above continuing over a two-month period can be an indicator of a bipolar disorder.
As with serious depressive symptoms, evaluation and, if necessary, treatment are recommended. Just as we suspect something wrong when a person is continually down, with low energy, and withdrawn, so we also suspect something amiss when a person is on a continual high, with boundless energy, and talking incessantly.
The diagnostic rule of thumb with mood disorders is balance between ups and downs. When we observe someone at either end of the mood continuum, higher or lower than we expect in normal everyday life, we may suspect a bipolar condition that is possibly in need of treatment.
Check out other articles and videos about bipolar disorder on Beliefnet's Bipolar Resource page by clicking here.
To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.
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Those who do not or never have sufferred with bipolar disease and/or severe deprssion are hard put to realize just how bipolar and/or depression suffer. I have tried to explain to some of my loved ones how my post traumatic stress syndrome works and what things trigger an episode. I also have severe depression that often taxes my strength heavily and causes me to withdraw from everyone and everything. Even though I can recognize what is happening to me I very often do not seem to have any control at all over controlling my reactions in any way. I very often hear remarks that are well meant but are really hurtful to me. Things like "get over it", "move on" or "are you whining about that again."
I am encouraged greatly be one fat though , there really has been a lot of improvement in how I handle the PTSD ad the depression. I used to get really frightened and did not feel safe anywhere except in my car, drivung with the windows rolled up and the doors locked. I often would just get in my car and drive sometimes 300-400 miles and turn around and come back. Then I would go to my sn's home and literally hide for 2-3 weeks at a time, not answering the door, the phone and stay in one room with the door locked most of the time. Yet in some way I do not understand God has brought me a long way from those days. Today I just get paranoid about having the doors locked ad windows locked when at home. When i have to go out during the "anniversary" periods of time I am suspicious of everthing and everyone around me and am hypervigilent. It is hard for me to just relax ad feel safe anywhere but at least I am able to control the urge to run and hide and can actually enjoy some activities for short periods of time. You see the Lord is the only one who really knows what effect these ailments have on me both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It seems that as far as spiritually I have been put into a circumstance where the only way to get through the episodes from PTSD and depression are to trust in the Lord to get me through it. In some strange way these disorders seem to be a blessing because if all you have to get through is to trust God to take care of you and comfort you keeps you on your knees and that is a perfect place to get yourself out of the way and allow the Lord to show His Love for you.
I'm -so far- not bipolar, but for a while the dr. considered it.
There is a combination that seems 'explosive' :enter a 12 step program (addiction recovery), took anti depressives and practice religion.
For my surprise, I was caught unaware, and -please don't tell my doc- I went through many of those maniac symptoms. I was very happy -sad to say- extremely happy!!-; until I caught myself in a middle of a delusion. Acknowledging it was hard, but healing. However, I recovered with the support of family and fellows, without giving up all the wonderful spiritual things and religious feelings I gain during this experience.
It is funny, but having a higher commitment with the OCDS (secular carmeltes) helped me with my OCD (obsessive-compulsive dissorder).
I heard many stories about this combination (12 steps+ anti-depressants) but whenever religiosity is present, all ends I heard are -so far- very happy.
I'm not friend of Bible cites, since I think the Holy Spirit will guide firmly into the Word whoever needs it, however, take this as my motto
2 Corintians 5:13
For if we are crazy[out of our minds], it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you.
From the Greek texts
εξεστημεν : ek-histmeis : out ourselves: insane : crazy
After reading these comments I can only say WOW - I'm so glad that my bipolar wife is an Atheist !
Turn to god...turn to the higher power for strength, courage and love. God Bless!
This note is to inform members that comments attributed to Ms Gloria J. Cross were not submitted by her.
Thank you,
Beliefnet_Tiger
Community Monitor
Beliefnet.com
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