I'm bipolar and my doctor doesn't allow me to practice/learn about religion?

Question

When I get manic,I lose myslef in spiritualism and I accept that I consider too much about angels,God and religion I addmitt.But when I'm fine,I am still not allowed to learn about God.Do you think it's fair?Do you think I should keep searching for God when I'm healthy or directly obey this doctor and quit dealing with belief things???I'm confused:(and sad)

Answer 1

You are using this forum to justify an Unhealthy way of thinking. You may not be hearing all the underlying reasons your doctor has in his advisements. Talk to him more - and be honest with yourself and him, not defensive. Remember: He Wants You To NOT Need Him and to be able to acknowledge your limitations when they occur and be able to regulate your decisions despite of your mood swings. Med compliance and honest communication with your doctor is the only way to achieve this.
Bipolar means you swing to both sides. You're not just manic then okay. You swing to the depressed side, too. It is a known pattern that bipolar and some other mood disorders are prone to more extravagent religious views. The worry in this is when the religion over-rides common sense and you or the congregation begins to pressure you to let God handle it and miraculously be healed or stop taking heavy meds such as lithium cold turkey. That type of drug can wreak havoc on your internal workings when you do this. The doctor has probably told you this.

Please, PLEASE maintain good communication with your doctor and regulate your decision making skills by recognizing your moods and tendencies in these moods.

Answer 2

Your doctor has crossed a line when "forbidding" you to learn or practice religion. I understand the mind of a bipolar person, I am one. You need to find a new doctor. But I do understand the doctors concern about you "losing yourself in spiritualism" It can be very dangerous for us with manic depression to dive into religious matters without proper council. However The doctor has no place whatsoever not "allowing" you to have religion. & You should contact an attorney regarding your rights & the doctors limits. Religion (when studied in the right ways) can provide much more help mentally than doctors want to admit. But many manic people take it to far & believe that they have "personal relationships" with angels, demons or even God. I dont like your doctor at ALL. No one not even a health provider has any right to stand in the way of your beliefs or choice of religion. seriously ask a lawyer & a new doctor!

Answer 3

You have given your doctor power of attorney? You have turned all of your decision making over to him? Does he choose what you wear (or don't) each day? What you eat?

Ok, I think you see the point, so I can stop belabouring it. :D

Your shrink(?) is probably worried about you joining some sect or cult that could/would take advantage of you while you're manic, or that your obsession with religion could lead to suicide when you're depressed.

If you choose to study about religions, look into them all, as widely as you can - Christianity, Mohammodism, Buddhism, Wicca, etc. Just remember to keep a skeptical eye about it. The "Word of God" as written in *any* Holy Book is simply the interperatation of a bunch of fallible humans who think they know/knew better than you, and who's goal is/was your money, or control of you, both so they could sit and grow fat off your labour...

You can be spiritual without being religeous, and you can be religeous without being a member of any Organsied Cult, er Religeon.

If you are Christian, and accept the teachings of the Christian faith, be true to them, and worship in the quietude of your heart, and exult God in your own mind. Avoid organised masses, go for mixed groups and open minded *friendly* debate. This holds true for any religeon, regardless of it's name for God, and it's teachings. Live a good life, live a life of love, and be a good person, and you will, in your own way, praise God simply be being who you are.

Me, I'm a confirmed Agnostic, and consider Organised Religion to be the greatest Sin man has ever Opressed his fellow man with. Religion is about connecting with God on an emotional level, not about excluding people based on their beliefs.

Honestly, I would suggest you start looking for a new source of care, and ask for help in dealing with the obssessiveness you exibit in your "up" phase. Why? Obsession in religion leads to fanaticism, and we've all seen what fanaticism - admittedly in the extreme - can do.

Answer 4

"God" or whatever the name of your higher being is not important. Being well with yourself and searching for the right thing not the popular thing (GOD) religion is so distorted and pushed very hard. I would put all that on the back burner till you get your mental health under control. While healing your brain try and heal your soul through things like Random acts of kindness or being the bigger person, driving politly even when your raging mad, hold the door for an old lady better yet take her bags to the car and load them in for her. Treat your body like a temple you yourself are a god or sorts treat your body with respect stop over dosing on non organic materials manmade materials change our mind function. Sit back and relax reflect on life not what happens after or where your going to go. No one really knows what happens in the after life (If there is one) so dont get your hopes up just live life like a good person and you will have a fulfilling life.

Answer 5

Of course its hard to say as your case history is not here to review. However, I'd bet your doctor is trying to get you to not give yourself permission (mentally) to go down a road he knows you've had trouble with. You obviously are passionate about this even during level emotional times. If you pursue it then, to what level will you warp it up to when you become manic.....and how will you know when the change from level to mania has taken place? That is one of the hallmarks of this illness....the inability to see when it manifests. In my opinion, God knows you to the core of your being. He also knows you are a victim of an incredibly difficult illness. He is with you without zealot level research and always will be. Let it go at that. Working on letting it be is the healthy road to take here. Not trying to find a balance of religion that works.

Answer 6

Your doctor cannot control your religious beliefs, period. He is stepping outside of his practice limitations. I can see his point of view if you are that susceptible to cult practices. Stop worrying about angels, stop worrying about religion. Find yourself a good Bible believing church that doesn't practice tongues or faith healing and such and you should be fine. Those two practices belong to the cults, so stay clear. Also stay clear of religions who claim to be representatives of God or who claim to have a special message from him or who have their own version of the Bible or a similar book (Mormon, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholic, Assembly of God, etc). These will all just confuse you and make you more susceptible to errant thinking.

Answer 7

It is not your doctors duty to tell you what religious beliefs to practice or learn about. However, if it becomes an obsession with you then I, as a Psychologist would suggest to you not to over indulge yourself in religion as this can create another unwanted psychological disorder such as obsession conpulsive disorder (OCD) or even you developing and addiction to religions.

goodluck=

Answer 8

I think you should trust your docter's advice. After all, he/she studied a long time to get the degree, they know what they're talking about ;-)

I think you should try to find balance. It's ok to seek spiritualism, but there's real life too you know! Try to have both good spiritual and real lifes ;-) From what you're telling, you've been seeking for the spiritual part quite a lot already. I think it's time to focus more on real-life now. ;-) balance

good luck!

Answer 9

Searching for God and seeking a relationship with Him is the best thing anybody can do for themselves. I personally think you should stick with God and find a better doctor. Take care and may God bless you spiritually.

Answer 10

I have a religion and I know of a woman who has bipolar and she practices her religion, she has her downs, and when she does she takes care of it however, but when she is up she pracitices it to the fullest. And she takes no medication, she just handles it. Just because you have a disorder doesn't mean that you can't serve God.