[lacerta]

I'm sorry for another thread, I'm in need of support. Is that some sort of symptom - I just have been hit by religios feelings and strong need to involve in some sort of church. I'm usually not into this, so now I'm really scared of what's happening to me. All of the sudden I feel scared of God, gosts etc.

[electricbipolargirl]

I had the same thing during a horrible mixed episode. I am a Christian, but suddenly I was believing that God was speaking directly to me and that it was my duty to tell people what God wanted. I even thought I was Jesus Christ at one point. I was extremely scared of demons and thought I was possessed at one point. I ended up IP and they put me on Geodon, an anti-psychotic. It made it all go away. I am still a Christian, but without the delusions. It sounds like you may need to get on an AP, although I'm definitely no doctor. Please call yours. My heart goes out to you and hope you find some peace during this scary time.

[CopperStar]

I think it can come from a lot of things, and not necessarily mental illness by default.

Like desires for relationships, community, belonging, sense of identity, being a part of something you feel is greater than yourself, a sense of purpose, trying to make sense of life, etc. And all of these possibilities in addition to maybe simply wanting to explore the concept of spirituality and see how you personally define it.

If you grew up in a community with a dominant religion, then your mind might drift there first in pursuit of ideas and inspiration. I grew up in an Evangelical environment, so the first thing that pops into my head when hearing/reading the word "religion" isn't material from Hinduism. When I hear/read the word "spirituality" the first thing that pops into my head is concepts derived from my childhood upbringing, such as souls, demons, heaven vs hell, etc. Even if I know that there can many more options and interpretations, my mind starts with what it knows.

I think the only red flag you mentioned is the anxiety. There is good and bad in life, which to me would indicate that there ought to be good and bad angles in concepts like spirituality, not just a sense of impending doom and anxious feelings or intrusive, upsetting thoughts. So my personal opinion is that it's best to focus on that aspect of what is going on. You may or may not one day take a strong interest in spirituality, but

- Constant, Frequent and/or Intense Anxiety
- Feeling In Danger
- Feeling Guilty or "In Trouble"
- Intrusive Upsetting Thoughts

And so on are an issue no matter what the topic at hand is, be it religion or anything else when you are trying to get through everyday life.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Don't even get me started! I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and screwed me up mentally! Demons, Armagedfon, God not pleased with you....not being worthy. Vomit. It's taken away God from me and that breaks my heart.

[cmorales]

During one mixed episode/mental breakdown I thought I was possessed by the devil. It's funny when I look back at it (because I'm a damn atheist) but at the time it was absolutely terrifying.

[Pretzel Logic]

Originally Posted by lacerta

I'm sorry for another thread, I'm in need of support. Is that some sort of symptom - I just have been hit by religios feelings and strong need to involve in some sort of church. I'm usually not into this, so now I'm really scared of what's happening to me. All of the sudden I feel scared of God, gosts etc.

Hi I am been going through the same thing for about two weeks, I have have been depressed with anxiety, I have not felt like myself, my memory was bad I have been thinking I am doomed and a bad person and i can never get to heaven. i have been praying and reading the Bible I am trying to find comfort, I do feel better right now.

[Manic Trance]

At one time I became extremely involved with Tibetan Buddhism, took vows and all. The meditation actually helped, and the community piece was helpful too. But I became obsessed with it, and felt I needed to do more and more, like it was a job. And I became extremely attached. At the time I was not diagnosed bipolar, but in retrospect I can see that I was hypo. There were fantastical aspects to my thinking, and I took the whole endeavor to the point of being irresponsible to and absent from my actual family, which is certainly not what Buddhism espouses. The saying goes: the mad man drowns in the water that the mystic swims in. It's a slippery slope.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[CopperStar]

I had a similar experience with Wicca. What's goofy about my experiences though is that they usually start out with delusion issues, so it's not even like I start off with a strong interest in a religion. I just seem to at some point 'realize' that I am a shaman/monk/witch/etc and then spend a few insomnia nights on the internet devouring information and then think I am an expert. It feel like I have been a (whatever) for all my life, after just a few days of reading. Thank goodness I'm such an introvert or I'd probably annoy people to death lol.

[cashart10]

Once, when psychotically manic, I became hyper religious. I thought I was casting out demons, laying hands on people to pray, hearing the Holy Spirit advise me to do spiritual (often bizarre) things; and many other strange, uncanny things.

Possible trigger:

And when seriously depressed, I often believe that I am possessed or hear demons try to convince me to take my life.