[nehalemqueen]

i've always been a spiritual person, though i haven't always been a 'religious' person in the sense that i attend a particular church each week. i guess i'd say i most identify as catholic, but only becuase that's what we did growing up. the problem i'm having is this: i had a manic, psychotic break a few years ago, and one of the symptoms i displayed was being overly concerned with religious things--i was seeing entities in my house, afraid of demons, all sorts of things. now, when i'm better (not well, but improved) i find myself turning to the spiritual side of things to help me make some sense of what happened in my life. but when i try to discuss thoughts like this with close friends, i'm often met with questions like 'are you having trouble again?' i guess i just don't know what's 'ok' thoughts about religion and spirituality and when it becomes a problem. to me, it feels very different than it did in the past, but am i actually just gearing up for another bad time? i just don't know, and don't have anyone i can ask about this, becasue they all just seem to think it's an indication that i'm headed the wrong way again.

[Perna]

I think it is great you are trying to discuss religion and spirituality with your friends, did you do that earlier or do these friends just know "about" your previous experiences? Religion is basically group sharing about the spiritual in our lives, the going to Mass on Sundays like you did as a kid, etc. Spiritual is more individual, and while there is a broad range of beliefs, generally we stick with what we "know"/have been raised around. Yes, one can have a conversion experience and believe differently but usually that belief has to be translated into one's life experiences so others can see how it "makes sense" to your life. Going from vague, not much attention, to seeing entities in your house there is no "connection" there? Even conversion has a trail and future path, I think? My 2nd great grandfather, for example, "got religion" in the 1820's/30's as a teen in New Jersey (Episcopal to Methodist) but went on to get a fine education/job as a carpenter and travelled west, married, started a family and was a circuit preacher and farmer. His son and namesake followed in his footstep (but not my great grandfather, he became a lawyer instead and wanted nothing whatsoever to do with farming :-)

I think some of the danger of the spiritual for you at the moment, is that it is not "connected" to anything else in your life but things that turned out to all be in your "head"? We can think up anything and our imagination (thoughts) and feelings can play tricks on us if we do not check them out in the real world, with others. I am not saying others have to believe what you believe but the time and "effort" and interest others take in what we are interested in and how we apply it to our real lives, etc. does make a difference.

There are other ways to "make sense" of what is happening (you are "continuous" so what was in the past influences the future) besides the spiritual route. That you are looking at that avenue again when you had difficulties in the recent past, you might be overdoing that avenue, like I use to overdo my imagination. There are some pathways that are too familiar to us (habit) but which don't help us move forward, become like ruts instead of nice, paved roads. I would look for a less used path in my life and see if I could improve it for awhile, get more "skills" in that area (maybe "doing" rather than just thinking/feeling, for example) before I looked at a path that tripped me up earlier and how I would go about "fixing" those ruts?

[(JD)]

People are often uncomfortable with those who discuss faith and religion... sometimes it's because they have their own and haven't lived up to what they think is expected of them. I think also sometimes it's because it makes them think of the "hereafter" and death and they aren't prepared for that!

Try posting in one of the spiritual groups here: Social Groups

[JeanneDoe]

Do you see someone for counseling? I would talk to a T who can maybe help you with this. I don't think there is anything wrong with being religious but sometimes it can be too much. I have no people who when they were having a psychotic break they were so obsessed with religion and not in a healthy way. I think talking to a DR or T would be able to tell you if you are having a problem with it. Good luck to you, hope all goes well.

[hvert]

Could you discuss the spiritual topics with friends who practice the same religion/spirituality?

[lizardlady]

Could it be the way you are talking about the subject rather than the actual subject? I'm thinking of some folks I've known when they are entering a manic episode and their speech is rushed or whatever the topic the are talking about is all they talk about.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by (JD)

People are often uncomfortable with those who discuss faith and religion... sometimes it's because they have their own and haven't lived up to what they think is expected of them. I think also sometimes it's because it makes them think of the "hereafter" and death and they aren't prepared for that!

And some of us are not comfortable with decisions of "faith and religion" because we get tired of having it shoved down our throats by others.

[ChipperMonkey]

There are VERY few people with whom you can actually discuss these sorts of things. I mean you may even have a hard time having a conversation with those of similar beliefs or of the same faith. Sometimes even going to a priest doesn't work out because they aren't even fully open!

I have had this experience in my life. There are only two people with whom I can discuss my religion and spirituality with....my priest and my father. Someone can be a believer but that doesn't necessarily mean that they can truly SEE everything.

My advice? Choose whom you disclose to wisely. Most won't get it.