[RunningEagleRuns]

Do you think it is? I've been told it isn't. My mental illness is schizo/affective.

[cautious hope]

No, your illness is entirely separate from it. Although drug use may have triggered an episode. Only a proffesional could answer that. Most drug addicts are self medicating and dont know it. We only get clean/sober when it stops working.

[RunningEagleRuns]

Originally Posted by cautious hope

No, your illness is entirely separate from it. Although drug use may have triggered an episode. Only a proffesional could answer that. Most drug addicts are self medicating and dont know it. We only get clean/sober when it stops working.

Thanks for the reply.

[Leni]

I think sometimes the stuff that happens to us as we grow and encounter life problems can throw us into mental illness. Sometimes we don't feel loved or supported and that isolates us and leaves us vulnerable . Sometimes it's a purely medical problem and sometimes it's our being reacting to overwhelming stress. That's just my take on it.

[RunningEagleRuns]

Originally Posted by Leni

I think sometimes the stuff that happens to us as we grow and encounter life problems can throw us into mental illness. Sometimes we don't feel loved or supported and that isolates us and leaves us vulnerable . Sometimes it's a purely medical problem and sometimes it's our being reacting to overwhelming stress. That's just my take on it.

Thanks. See you.

[IceCreamKid]

Your illness isn't some sort of cosmic punishment.

[(JD)]

Well, we surely do experience the results of our actions, don't we? Sometimes that's not good, often it is a good thing.

You mention in your profile that you're here because of a brief psychotic disorder. That could very well be a result of drug use. However you're sharing the other disorder... here's something in wikipedia:

A clear causal connection between drug use and psychotic spectrum disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, has been difficult to prove. The two most often used explanations for this are "substance use causes schizoaffective disorder" and "substance use is a consequence of schizoaffective disorder", and they both may be correct.[20] In the case of marijuana or cannabis, however, evidence is mounting that it can play a role in the development and morbidity of psychotic disorders, including schizoaffective disorder.[21][22] For example, a 2007 meta-analysis showed that cannabis use is statistically associated with a dose-dependent increase in risk of development of psychotic disorders, including schizoaffective disorder.[21] Moreover, a 2005 meta-analysis found that cannabis use is a significant independent risk factor for developing psychotic symptoms and psychosis.[23]

... and the article continues : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoaffective_disorder

But, if the drug usage isn't ongoing, the only thing to do now is to chalk it up to a mistake and try to move on from there. The paranoiac responses that result from the disorder might be adding to your sense of punishment.

Since this is posted in the spirituality forum, I would also suggest that a petition to God might be in order and result in a sense of feeling His love for you.

Hello, RunningEagleRuns. You are asking us to speculate. Our beliefs may be sincerely held, but simply are opinions based on our perceptions. You must decide what you believe.

[lynn P.]

Personally I don't think God is punishing you - it's just an unfortunate side affect that happens from drugs sometimes. Wishing you wellness physically and spiritually.

[sunsetsunrise]

Dear Runningeagleruns, I do not personally believe that illness of any kind is punishment. But then again, I do not believe in a punishing God. I do not believe that punishment is ever dolled out by loving spirit.

I do believe that when we do drugs, we are self medicating. Perhaps the illness preceeded the drug use. Even though you may not have realized it. Often illness becomes more manifest as years progress and it is untreated.

Please consider that you are not to blame for your illlness. Sometimes when we can release misplaced self blame and guilt, its easier to work on managing the illness.... or even successfully work toward recovery.

Actions have consequences, but consequences aren't necessarily punishment. Consequences happen naturally and logically. Punishments are imposed by someone who has the power to do so. And I don't believe God punishes anyone with mental illness. It would make no sense, if He wants us to "rejoice in Him," to deliberately inflict a condition that hinders rejoicing.

Another thing a chaplain told me is, yes, bad things are a result of sin. But not ours. The first humans brought it into the world, and we as their descendants feel the results. That thought took a lot of guilt off of me, personally.

I agree with Sunset that a drug habit is often self-medicating an underlying illness. In other words, perhaps if you had not had a mental disorder in the first place, you would have felt no need to turn to chemicals. Therefore, I would guess (but I can't say for sure, of course, since I am not a professional) that your disorder caused your drug use, not the other way around.

It depends on which god or gods we are talking about. Some gods are wrathful gods.

[RunningEagleRuns]

Thanks. I do think my drug use could have caused my illness. But I don't think God is punishing me, although it seems like he is at times. Thanks for the help.

[mgran]

Originally Posted by RunningEagleRuns

Do you think it is? I've been told it isn't. My mental illness is schizo/affective.

You're not being punished. Drug use amongst the mentally ill is more common because, before diagnoses, we're trying to self medicate. Don't feel guilty about the past, you can't change it. Look after yourself now. (I'm schizoaffective too, I think we tend to feel guilty about everything when we're not well.)