Religious signs - when are they real vs from mental illness?

I didn't think this belonged in the spiritual board because I want to talk about religion.

I'm Pagan although I haven't practice in years. So basically my life has been non-religious. Anyways since my last breakdown 2 weeks ago, I've been feeling drawn more and more to a Christian type religion of some kind and I don't know why. How do you tell if a sign or feeling is a real message from a diety or something vs a sign of mental illness?

I'm Bipolar 2 so I'm not supposed to get psychotic/delusions/hallucinations although I have had trouble with paranoia and intrusive thoughts and compulsive thoughts/actions.

I've seen religious signs everywhere, been drawn to notice religious words on church signs I've never dwelled on before, been drawn to watching religious shows, read religious websites and I feel the need to go to church which I've never like doing.

I suppose there is probably no way to know for sure but it makes me worried. I don't even want to be Christian but the signs just keep coming. What do you think?

I'm an Orthodox Christian so my view will be skewed based on this, but from my belief, visions must be checked against the Tradition held by all Orthodox Christians and discussed with a spiritual father. I know this isn't necessarily helpful for you, but just wanted to reply to your question.

It would be interesting to get people's opinions on this. Since my last breakdown three years ago I still don't know how to tell if it was real or not. I was also pagan, but I started to get "visits" from Jesus and demons were exorcised out of me. After that happened I started to read the Bible and went through a bit of a religious phase. So, I can totally relate to this question of how can we tell what's a real spiritual/religious experience and what's MI.

From my understanding people with Bipolar can still get psychosis when deep into a manic or depressive phase. Unless that psychosis happens outside of one of those phases. Then perhaps it is something else (schizoaffective for example like I have).

I tend to get these "revelations" during bouts of mania. I am a Catholic and believe in visions and such, but since I don't get them outside of mood episodes I'm suspicious that they aren't real, but delusions. It's a shame too, because I really LIKE feeling like I was sent by God to be a guardian angel for someone going through a crisis.

If it happens continually no matter what state you are in I would trust more that there was really something to it. I do have a relationship with God & am a believer but I don't get visions or anything like that, I just get the logical facts information that continually convince me more & more that it's real cause things like that just don't happen without there being something serious behind it.....that being God. I would say that for you time will tell....it doesn't cost you anything to go in that direction...I doubt that it will be proved wrong over the long run. You have nothing to loose by going in that direction with your life. God will continue to make His truth known, it's up to you what you choose to do with that information in the long run.

Even if it happens continually no matter what state you are in there should still be room for doubt! For example, regardless what state I am in, even baseline, I occasionally think God is trying to send me messages through the music on the radio while I am driving. Granted, at baseline I can usually see this for what it really is, my imagination. So I would still be careful. As someone already stated, if in between states, it could be schizoaffective or even OCD! We can get co-occurring disorders too. Just my 2 cents

My first thought when reading your post and the comments was, how sad it is that we live in a culture that causes us to wonder if we are crazy to have questions related to spirituality. I then thought about how mysterious and superstitious the search for understanding is, how vague the answers can be, how, mixing a spiritual quest with normal life demands, can be a difficult mix, and the way misunderstanding and 'testing' the truths we are on the verge of, can put us in compromising positions with the straight and narrow.

It sounds to me like there is a part of you that is being unfulfilled and you are seeking a deeper meaning to life and I believe it's entirely the truth that finding a spiritual purpose is something that adds dimension and depth to the experience of existence and it is something that can create a strong connection between an individual and their surroundings. So, it's sad when we question if these feelings means we're crazy.

I do however, caution that some of the energy that is aroused by the experience, being so not of the cut and dried, non spiritual way of existing, can tend to pull a person away from what the rest of society considers correct behavior.

If you can find a way to explore your inquisitiveness and not depart from the road of staying in line with self care, these explorations can eventually lead you into a life of deep purpose.

Thanks everyone, your answers have given me things to think about. I will pursue these feelings as long as it doesn't seem like what I'm doing is outside the norm. The strange thing is, I feel like I have to hide my thoughts and actions from my husband which makes me wonder but then I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. Maybe I am just worried about what he will think about it since he's Pagan too?

I personally do not believe in "signs." The human mind naturally is always searching for greater meaning, so when an improbable event occurs people tend to attach a higher significance to it.

I would be less concerned about "the norm" and more concerned about my personal health. Where I live, it's perfectly 'normal' to do some things that aren't totally healthy, like drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, for example.

I think, in relation to your husband, it depends on each others tolerance levels for others beliefs. I have met Pagans and I've met Christians. The Pagans I've met were capable of tolerating others belief systems very well, while some Christians I've met, were intolerant of any belief except their own.

My study of Christianity has taught me many things and there is value in its' lessons. One thing it has taught me however, is that I am not, and never will be a Christian.

i am catholic myself so my answer may be persuaded by such a religion. for me i am schitzophrenic, hallucinate in my dreams and have had psychosis episodes where i think i am talking to God. I wrap it up as my imagination at work, knowing i am christian and leave it at that because i don't want to let it lead into another psychotic break, as i've had several of them where i thought i've seen saints and Jesus. whatever it is i'll never know until i die, which i am so scared to do, i don't want to die either even though in my religion it is the ultimate goal. The reason i am catholic is because i was raised that way, but i've come to a place where i want to be catholic and accept it as my belief system after questioning it alot. anyway i think i don't want to tell someone what to believe in, but your thoughts and visions could be a number of different things especially pshycological things too.

Like yourself, I gave up religion. However, I believe that miracles do happen and that they happen to everyone regardless of whether one is religious or not. In short, religion does not own miracles; they are a fact of nature.

We all have spiritual needs. I have tried several different faiths and always leave as I find more falsehood than truth. Giving it another go is not bad - you do seem to need something that is comforting in your life. Just make sure to avoid cults and extreme religions. Find a church where the priests / preachers and their followers are sane and do good in the community. Avoid the doomsday cults which rely on fear. I hope this helps.

being 'spiritual' and being 'religious' are different, in ways which i don't think i want to describe here, but mainly in their 'target'. i like to say that if a thing is TRUE it's TRUE all over. what i mean is, all major spiritual teachings and cultures will agree on it.

it's like this quote that i am working on applying to my own life:

"Finally, neighbor, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

to be a better person is the goal of spirituality, in my opinion. i hope you find a way to become the search.

I know this might not be a popular view but some religions rather than others are easier for a sick mind to use. I have not seen many psychotic people go into paganism but Christianity, yes.

This may not be appropriate to the original question and ongoing discussion. The only thing I object to is seeing commercial advertisements, like a lawyer's billboard with the fish symbol "ichthys" attached to the sign as a way to attract customers.