How do you cope?

lilfarmtruck · #1 Mar 18, '11, 7:33 pm

Thought this might be a good place to start. Was wondering how you all cope with your illnesses and the requirements of the church. Just in general. I do my best to attend mass weekly, but when my symptoms are acute, I stay home. I have spoken to my priest and have informed him of my mental illness and the challenges it presents as far as attending mass and other lay church functions. So far, the longest I have missed mass has been 4 months. I plan on going next saturday as the new meds I am on seem to be working. I dont feel great, but better than I have the last few months.

Anyone care to share?

DanWelshiMac · #2 Mar 19, '11, 6:46 am

I have missed Mass a lot do to paranoia
and anxiety. I talk to our priest a lot and
he gave me a standing dispensation to miss
mass do to my illness.
I go to confession monthly and most of it is
guilt about not being a better husband or father.
Where I struggle now is getting my prayers said?
Anyway that some of the way I cope.
Dan

jmjiloveu · #3 Mar 19, '11, 8:26 am

I used to go to Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day of obligation. Then I just got too nervous and anxious. I am very shy and timid by nature. I guessI may have social anxiety disorder. Also some feelings of inferiority and possibly mental emotional and psychological problem due to an abusive family background. In spite of one person's abuse- my family has done very well.

I use to be on anti-psychotic medication but I was very allergic to it so I stopped taking it. Right now I don't go to church. I watch church services both on TBN and EWTN and listen to them on christian radio.

I pray, read my Bible say some of my favorite Catholic prayers, use the Psalms in Prayer, Use my Bible Promise Book in prayer. Thursday my nephew and his wife and 2 kids took me out to lunch . They live about a 4 hour drive from me. I had a lot of anxiety about going but I did.
I guess I have a chronic fear of socializing with people syndrom. Not enough self confidence I guess.

All my life I have usually had only 1 or 2 friends at best

My bad way of handling stuff was spending money. I closed my credit card account and my Bill Me Later account.
Also eating. When I was living with my parents and when I was employed I was too nervous to eat. I weighe barely 110.
Now i weigh about 135. Well for me I guess that is good but i need to be careful that I don't put on too much weight.

Right now I feel too nervous to go to church.

I have family that i email for emotional support.
Mostly the people in my apartment complex where I live, I just say hello-

I like listening to music- I would have a pet, but have to save $200 for pet fee.

DanWelshiMac · #4 Mar 19, '11, 1:10 pm

I find it a lot easier to go to Church
with my wife. She is Schizo Affective
and has social anxiety. We lean on
each other. We always sit in the back
so we can flee if we have to.
I pray a lot at home; Divine Office and
Rosary Chaplets. We are both on
Disability so we are at home a lot
Our Pastor has given us a
standing dispensation to stay
home if we our having symtoms.

consideringRome · #5 Mar 19, '11, 1:53 pm

Prayer. Medications. Talk therapy.

I'm considering converting to Catholicism, but one thing standing in my way is my mental illness. How will I do RCIA classes if I'm...crazy? How will I fulfill my obligations? My meds do help, prayer helps, therapy helps...I guess at a certain point you have to figure out how to live the best life possible with your own particular set of my problems.

lilfarmtruck · #6 Mar 20, '11, 7:01 pm

Thank you so much for sharing. I pray the rosary every night. Being in the company of a large group of people really freaks me out. When I do go to mass, I like to sit in the back and worship on my own. There are those folks who want to visit with me and god bless them, I wish they wouldnt. But I see that as God wanting me to be in contact with others that care about me. I feel guilty because I dont keep in contact with them. When I was confirmed last year, many of them had a party for me and it was really nice. No one ever had a party for me! No I feel bad because, due to my illness, I want nothing to do with them or anyone else. I see my illness as my cross to bear and try to align that with the suffering of christ.

I love this forum already. I have never shared my thoughts about my illness and my faith till now. You all have helped me already. Thank you.

lilfarmtruck · #7 Mar 20, '11, 7:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by consideringRome

Prayer. Medications. Talk therapy.

I'm considering converting to Catholicism, but one thing standing in my way is my mental illness. How will I do RCIA classes if I'm...crazy? How will I fulfill my obligations? My meds do help, prayer helps, therapy helps...I guess at a certain point you have to figure out how to live the best life possible with your own particular set of my problems.

hey, I was "crazy" when I commenced my RCIA classes. I shared the fact that I had "mental health" issues and was proactive with my meds and treatment and no one thought any different. I say go ahead! Christ must be calling you to the catholic faith. Thats how it was with me...He loved me warts and all. My advise would be is to let your teachers know that you have "health" issues and that you will do your best in your studies. That's really all you have to say. Its the truth regaurdless.

wild thing · #8 Mar 22, '11, 3:11 pm

Hey lilfarmtruck,

Do what you are able to do. If you had a physical illness that prevented you from going to church, class, socal gatherings, etc- you wouldn't feel so guilty or bad, would you? So don't feel bad if sometimes you cannot participate due to your illness. But always give God the most you can give Him.

I used to be rather agoraphobic- I was afraid to leave the house without somebody with me, whether it was my husband, my mom or dad, or a friend. That included getting gas, going to the grocery store, etc. Bless my family, they put up with it pretty well. But when I reverted to the Catholic faith, none of them were interested in going to church. I knew I had to go to confession (and it happened to be... ta-da! Divine Mercy Sunday!) I had to go alone. I resolved to make the sacrifice for God. So I went and my hands were shaking the whole drive to the church, but I offered it up to God. I did this every single time I went to mass alone, when I had to find an unfamilar place, when I went to other confessions, etc. And you know what? It got easier and easier for me to do. God gave me that grace. Now, I don't have any NEAR the problem I used to have going anywhere alone or that is unfamilar. Now, God did not wave His magic wand and make my illness disappear, but in this particular case, He gave me the tremendous grace of making it easier and easier for me to offer up to Him. Maybe He figures I had so many other mental issues I can offer Him that He could take away that one

So, I guess what I am trying to say is, if you don'[t already do so, unite your sufferings to Jesus' and offer them to God. He just might lighten your burden. But if He doesn't, you are still giving Him your sufferings and sacrifices

God Bless!

lilfarmtruck · #9 Mar 22, '11, 6:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjiloveu

I pray, read my Bible say some of my favorite Catholic prayers, use the Psalms in Prayer, Use my Bible Promise Book in prayer.
I guess I have a chronic fear of socializing with people syndrom. Not enough self confidence I guess.

All my life I have usually had only 1 or 2 friends at best

Right now I feel too nervous to go to church.

I have family that i email for emotional support.
Mostly the people in my apartment complex where I live, I just say hello-

I like listening to music- I would have a pet, but have to save $200 for pet fee.

I try to read my bible daily. I have several catholic and protestant editions. One I find helpful is the "life recovery" bible, for folks with dependancies. It is very kind with helpful advise. Even though it is geared for folks with addictions...I find it quite helpful in dealing with mental/emotional issues as well. I also pray the rosary every night. Nothing formal, just after turning out the light in preparation for sleep. I also pray to St Michael for protection during sleep as sometimes I am quite frightened of the dark ( and things that go bump either real or perceived).

I understand the desire to keep a pet. My cat (even though she hates me) is good company and gets me out of bed each day. I may go all day without eating because "its just to much trouble", but the cat is always fed and the litter box is always cleaned. Funny how things are prioritized..

I can really identify with the one or 2 freinds...right now I dont have any. I isolate badly. I talk to my therapist once every month or so and have started a program where a social worker will come see me at my home on a weekly basis. I think this will help me greatly. I would love to make freinds with some people at church..but it makes me nervous as hell just thinking about it.

lilfarmtruck · #10 Mar 22, '11, 7:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by consideringRome

Prayer. Medications. Talk therapy.

I'm considering converting to Catholicism, but one thing standing in my way is my mental illness. How will I do RCIA classes if I'm...crazy? How will I fulfill my obligations? My meds do help, prayer helps, therapy helps...I guess at a certain point you have to figure out how to live the best life possible with your own particular set of my problems.

I think you will do fine. I did. I have suffered from Chronic Major Depression, PTSD, GAD and Panic Attacks for years. I was confirmed into the Catholic Church last May of 2010 after 9 months or RCIA. I did alot of homework first. Familiarizing myself with all aspect of the church partaining to faith and practice as well as some church history. I did alot of study on my own for about 2 years before commencing RCIA. EWTN helped alot!

Dont let your illness stand in the way. It was put to me this way....Christ spent his time in the company of sinners ( a tax collector, a call-girl, self rightous hot heads who would rather fight than talk, and a guy who would cut off someones ear..just to name a few) In this way a doctor does not spend time with healthy people, but tends to the sick..the ones who need him the most.

creationlover · #11 Apr 3, '11, 1:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by consideringRome

Prayer. Medications. Talk therapy.

I'm considering converting to Catholicism, but one thing standing in my way is my mental illness. How will I do RCIA classes if I'm...crazy? How will I fulfill my obligations? My meds do help, prayer helps, therapy helps...I guess at a certain point you have to figure out how to live the best life possible with your own particular set of my problems.

Hi,

I encourage you to stay on the path. I am a convert and I struggle with depression. The Church's theology/teachings have helped a lot. On an affective level, I try to visit the Blessed Sacrament room where Jesus is there waiting on us all, inviting us to pour our hearts out in faith and love to Him. Being Catholic didn't rid me of all my issues, but it certainly has given me a better way to deal with my issues.

sheilakathy · #12 Apr 24, '11, 10:27 am

Hi, I tend to wake up several times during the night and want to grab a bite to eat and check my email and FaceBook, also here, etc. This does not make for getting up early when I do a lot of this throughout the night. (I'm Bipolar, so sleeping thoughout the night is difficult). I made Easter Vigil last evening, but missed mass this morning. I am not sure if it is the same on Saturdays as it is on Sundays, and so I am not sure about how this effects my learning and everything. Since I am new to all this, I shall learn as I go I guess.

One thing I do is to listen to Praise and Worship music on CDs here in my home during the day (night time I cannot do tis due to neighbors who would object). This sets my soul at peace with Jesus. I light 3 candles for God, one for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each. Then I read devotionals and the Bible as early in the day as possible. This helps as it is most important to have the TRUTH in one's soul ASAP in the day as one can. When the Word is in you, temptations cannot overcome you, nor can they even touch you!

Sometimes, all you need to do is to say His Blessed Name over and over if you cannnot think of something specific to pray or if you are not up to it. Even calling out His Name in spirit helps, but it is better to do it aloud if you can because the devil and his demons cannot remain in anyplace where His Name is being said over and over again. They must leave.

I hope this helps!

Your sister in the Lord,

SheilaKathy