[Trippin2.0]

My brother says to pray! While I am a Christian i've also struggled with bipolar for long enough to know that this is not a cure! I'm so angry at him and my mother right now! WTF do they know anyway?

[Fresia]

(((((((Trippin 2.0)))))))))
It angers me too when I get this response at times because I know there is no cure. I know my family and friends feel as helpless and powerless against this illness as I do a times. They turn to what they know to help and there is a belief system that there that is a healing power in prayers, this is what they are hoping for us. This is someone's way to turn to, who doesn't know what to do to help, of their only way to show/to know to be supportive. If you don't share the same belief system, it is difficult to imagine the prayers will bring any comfort; some find relief, calming and a self soothing with them and others do not, let alone that there is healing power behind them. I now accept that this belief, that may or may not be shared, be taken (or not) at will. I have to let it go now so that they do what they want. I know my beliefs with my own faith in the world and let it go. They're just doing what they think, if anything, that might help us. Ask them to pray for you instead.

[Direction]

I've let those close to me know that I struggle with comments like these. I've asked them not to push this, so they don't anymore. Any chance you could let your brother know how confusing or frustrating it is when he says "pray".

[Trippin2.0]

No,he's adamant that bipolar is the devil's way of messing with the weaker population,so we must just pray he leaves us alone. He's 'passionate' about his analogy.

[Miss Laura]

Hey Trippin,

I have a few friends who are devoted Catholics. I am a Catholic but not a practicing Catholic. Anyways they have said from day 1 they will pray for me and that I should join them in their place of worship. I am trying to not show how much it "annoys" me when they say it as I really like them. I just say "auch I know" and that's it. I don't know how to say I am done with the Church for the moment. I guess they are just trying to help

[Trippin2.0]

I would like to be less hostile about his remarks but if you guys could just see his smug look and hear his condecending tone,you'd know what i have to put up with. It's like EVERY person dxd with an MI has been duped and he alone knows the truth and is convinced i must pray and 'will' myself back to normal.

[Direction]

I'm not sure what religion he is...but I'm not sure that any really approach the idea of teaching prayer to others using smugness or a condecending tone. It usually has more to do with love and compassion...sharing...so I don't think he is using the word pray in a manner that means anything.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

No,he's adamant that bipolar is the devil's way of messing with the weaker population,so we must just pray he leaves us alone. He's 'passionate' about his analogy.

Although there's nothing wrong with praying for anything, in this case your brother doesn't know what he's talking about. You should have your doctor talk to him and tell him to keep his opinions to himself. If he had diabetes - does he think praying would cure him?? Honestly he doesn't know what he's talking about. God doesn't give people mental illness because they're not being holy enough.

[Trippin2.0]

Let's put the cherry on the cake... He calls himself a Christian! WTH!

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Let's put the cherry on the cake... He calls himself a Christian! WTH!

Mental illness has zero to do with religion, meaning lack of being religious enough doesn't cause it...as your brother is saying. Next time he's sick or sometime when he needs medical attention, tell him to "pray instead". (sarcasm) Honestly he should pray for himself so he can make more intelligent statements and have empathy for you and others.

[Flooded]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

No,he's adamant that bipolar is the devil's way of messing with the weaker population,so we must just pray he leaves us alone. He's 'passionate' about his analogy.

He's in denial of a his own mental illness.

[William Werner]

I agree with lynn P. 100%.

This is frustrating, and frustrating to hear. I'm sorry your brother is distressing you with this.

When I was 11 and told my parents I heard things, and that I had a block above my head that kept me safe, but that I was scared of it. My parents choose to lay their hands on me invoke the holy spirit, and rid me of this evilness while speaking in tongues.

Now I'm not going to knock any ones religion's or beliefs. Being raised in a strict christian home I understand. I just wish my parents would have got me some other help as well. I waited for the prayers to work and release me, and it never happened. I continued to suffer with psychosis and tried not to mention it again.

Seriously this subject makes me cry.

We can have prayer/no prayer and outside help.

[Trippin2.0]

Oh Anika! I'm sorry you went through that,and so sorry for making you relive it... Hugs my friend XOXO

Trippin,

Thanks and no worries, you're not making me relive it. I just find it so sad that this attitude is still alive and strong. I had hoped it would have changed by now. Hopefully your brother will see the light so to speak.

And thanks for bringing this subject up, I think a lot of people have been here.

[venusss]

you know as spirituality cannot cure anything--- it helps

when I ditched my spiritual me...things got much more tough. When i connected back to source... I seem to be more at peace.

the key is to *be* at peace... not pray for yourself but for others too.

[sugahorse1]

I'm sorry he's giving you such a hard time. We all know there is no cure, and I wish it was so easy for others to understand too.
I guess it's their ignorance. Try not let him bother you, and walk away from this topic when it comes up. I know it's hard to act tough, and this ignorance is not fair on you, but you have to try

[Trippin2.0]

Thank you all for your input. Venus,i hope you're proud of my concerted effort to drop the zeros,lol. I just got into a heated discussion with my mom,bcoz she and he tend to agree with one another. I told her that her ignorance doesn't bother me,the invalidation does. I rattled off about hearing voices,racing and looping thoughts,suicidal ideation,SI, and asked her, 'do u battle with these on a daily basis? Cos if this is normal i'll stop the meds' she went quiet and then told me not to have anymore kids...

[venusss]

I am just saying to do discount the spiritual aspect altogether... it may work for you to help you balance. Just find YOUR spirituality... not what everybody else tells you...

or don't... whatever works for you. If it's living in the moment and right here and for real (I once heard one atheist use a great analogy "I take this life more seriously than religious people. I don't take it as some pre-party. This is it, and I wanna enjoy it and use it for the best").

This life (or THE life) is about you, your needs...

[eskielover]

The problem isn't about being a Christian, it about your brother being uneducated about Mental Illness & even being uneducated about his Christianity (because Christianity doesn't teach what he's saying) & his personality refusing to allow himself to be educated about Mental Illness & also about his Christianity beliefs.

The fact is that prayer can help with our MI......asking for guidance to the right pdoc who will treat us with the right medication that can take care of chemical imbalance that's causing us to struggle so much with our MI. Prayer to help us accept the pdoc's treatment & strength to NOT stop the meds when we are feeling better. Prayer directed in the right way with God can help us deal much better with our MI.....not cure it.

Sadly, the beliefs your brother is holding are those of the Dark Ages before there was knowledge about MI & he's refusing to come into the modern day education that even most Christian's who are willing to become knowledgeable about MI & know that MI is an illness as all other illnesses.

I am sorry that you are having to put up with this. I remember my father had certain beliefs he held in his mind & no matter what he was told, he refused to learn new understanding (not about MI).....it wasn't just about his Christian thinking, it was his views on education, politics, & any other subject that he could hold a closed mindedness on.....his personality....not his Christianity.....think your brother has those narrow minded traits...which even non-Christians can have.

Prayer can also be good toward your brother asking for God to open his mind to the truth about MI.

Your mother does understand because BP is an inherited illness which is passed down through the generations.....so there are other's in your family who have been suffering with it......what your mother says is true.....the chances of your kids having the same MI as you is very great....definitely something to take into consideration.

[ScooterBug]

OMG Trippin'!!!! I was raised Pentecostal ... a really strict type of Christian ... let me tell you, some Christians understand that yes God is a good God and he does miracles, but that some things are to be treated for what they truly are .... then you have the idiotic fanatics that think that if they just pray and have faith everything will go in their favor.

Not to say there's anything wrong with prayer and faith. But ask your brother if he works to make money to pay for bills and get groceries? Ask him if he goes to the store and buy food every week? Then tell him that his logic should be based on those every day things too ... next time he asks for something to eat or drink, place an empty plate or glass in front of him and tell him to have faith and pray for it.

He wont like it, and will probably get very angry ... but I can almost BET he'll ease off on telling you to just pray the Bipolar away.

I get sooooooo angry and frustrated with people like that ... sorry. My mom is one of them. She urges me to stop taking my meds and seeing my Drs and just give God a chance. If that was the case, I think there would be no need for a hospital. Just have my holy mother go and pray over every patient and watch the miracles occur! smdh

I'm sorry if I ranted and if I was out of line by posting this and being so abrupt about it, but I know your frustration and deal with that same BS everyday with my family.

[Trippin2.0]

Thanks 2 each and everyone for their input and insight,you guys have given me strength and some nice 'ammo' lol. I appreciate you all,sometimes it feels like you're my real family,the people who 'get me' inspire and motivate me... I love you all! XOXO

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by eskielover

The problem isn't about being a Christian, it about your brother being uneducated about Mental Illness & even being uneducated about his Christianity (because Christianity doesn't teach what he's saying) & his personality refusing to allow himself to be educated about Mental Illness & also about his Christianity beliefs.

The fact is that prayer can help with our MI......asking for guidance to the right pdoc who will treat us with the right medication that can take care of chemical imbalance that's causing us to struggle so much with our MI. Prayer to help us accept the pdoc's treatment & strength to NOT stop the meds when we are feeling better. Prayer directed in the right way with God can help us deal much better with our MI.....not cure it.

Sadly, the beliefs your brother is holding are those of the Dark Ages before there was knowledge about MI & he's refusing to come into the modern day education that even most Christian's who are willing to become knowledgeable about MI & know that MI is an illness as all other illnesses.

I am sorry that you are having to put up with this. I remember my father had certain beliefs he held in his mind & no matter what he was told, he refused to learn new understanding (not about MI).....it wasn't just about his Christian thinking, it was his views on education, politics, & any other subject that he could hold a closed mindedness on.....his personality....not his Christianity.....think your brother has those narrow minded traits...which even non-Christians can have.

Prayer can also be good toward your brother asking for God to open his mind to the truth about MI.

Your mother does understand because BP is an inherited illness which is passed down through the generations.....so there are other's in your family who have been suffering with it......what your mother says is true.....the chances of your kids having the same MI as you is very great....definitely something to take into consideration.

he says the devil's IN MY BRAIN causing the chemical inbalance... How do i even begin to reason with such a douche?

[HalfSwede]

I'm pretty much of a Christian, too, and I usually turn to prayer when I've got absolutely nothing else to fall back on, but in this case there are plenty of resources for you -- counseling, medication, support groups like this one. My feeling is that if God gave us an intellect, he would want us to use it.

Your irritation at your brother's smugness probably just eggs him on, but it sounds like his belief system is really pretty fragile if he can't even engage you in a reasoned debate. Even after all these years, I still try to reason with fanatics, though I should know better by now. Eventually, something may come along that shakes him to his core and wipes that smug smile off his face.