Saddened but once again Faithful *Religious Trigger?*

I find myself increasingly sad but suddenly and once again, so, so, so grounded in my faith. Nothing over the top that I am aware of, just on my knees, in the Word, spending time in effortless prayers. With a history of hyper religiousity, would you be concerned by this or would you be pleased simply with the reconnection? I posted a christian song on FB and my best friends jokingly said "I can always tell what mood you are in by the songs you post on fb." Then she texted me to ask me if I was okay because of it. That just had me wondering. I have a Christian therapist and she said that now I had meds, I have a therapist, I have friends on watch, the situation is much much different and I may never lose my mind again to that degree. What is your opinion?

I think you're fine, as long as you don't get over the top with it.

I agree, religiousness is not necessarily pathological. Most "normal" people have some degree of faithfulness. If you sense it getting out of hand that's one thing but lots of people take comfort In their faith.

I am a Christian & for years before diagnosed I thought I was being filled with the Holy Spirit...on fire for God, etc. would become "addicted" to reading my Bible, praying, etc.
I now realize it was I was in a hypomanic phase.
Then I would crash & feel withdrawn...I thought maybe the devil was attacking me.
I'm still not sure.
I think he uses our MI against us.
To drive us away.
I pray for healing but I'm not sure that is God's will.
He may want me to learn how to love my sick self.
I dunno.
I don't have much insight but I think being a Christian adds another layer of confusion to my MI.
Just wanted you to know you aren't alone.

I wouldn't be worried. Personally I'm not Christian but I find my own grounding in being very aware of what is around me - particularly nature.

While it is not a sign of mental illness I think that many of us will seek answers and look for faith in a sense of creative power. I think we are perhaps more prone to a need to be grounded and hence look for, feel a sense of relief in, and a deeper sense of attachment. Maybe is that we need answers for and validation for the way we are.

When we are Depressed we look for hope. When we are anxious we look for comfort. And when we are hypomanic we seek experience and connection.

When we are Depressed we look for hope. When we are anxious we look for comfort. And when we are hypomanic we seek experience and connection.

That is so true! Thanks for that insight.

i can't really say much either.

i've only been religious during manic episodes, and then i've forgotten all about it.

i do want to believe, but to be honest i've got no reason to..

Thank you so much for this! And, exactly! The Holy Spirit gets credit for my mania and, especially, my psychotic break. I was doing similar things and eventually, was "talking" to God and he was "talking" to me and I believed I was chosen (but not in a healthy way). My therapist says that God and my psychosis are separate parts and I have to not only trust that what I believed to be God and holiness was neither parts but also trust that God did not make me sick and that he wants to give me everything I need and surround me with his love.

I don't even pray for healing anymore. I also don't believe it is God's will for my life. I once believed I was healed. After years of stability, BAM!, I completely lost my mind. It is, to this day, sooooo difficult to accept.

I just wonder, when do I cross the line? Today, I feel lead to cross the street and ask for my neighbor, who is dying of cancer, for her phone number so I can call and talk with her. I have no money to lavish her but I figure a listening ear may be of help. I feel confident this is under the Holy Spirit's lead and I am going to do it. However, when I was psychotic, the Lord would tell me to *ask* strangers for me to pray for them. The prayers were accepted with love and always seemed wanted. Was that the Holy Spirit leading me? Or, was it entirely mania? If it was entirely mania, why was it accepted and not viewed by the others as crazy? It seems so deceptive, confusing, scary, and unfair.

I have felt this way so many times. I am so sorry you are in such a place with this; it is rough.