Introductions

[Curious]

Greetings and welcome to Mentally Ill Catholics Staying Close to the Cross!

This is a thread for new members to introduce themselves, writing as little or as much as you want. Obviously, due to the title and nature of this group, you may wish to include some of your journey with your diagnosis of mental illness, again including as much or as little detail as you wish. We are all connected by unique bonds - the most important and the most special being our common faith. We also all carry mental illness diagnoses, which can be a very unique position to be put int.

I myself as still a bit private with the details of my journey which is ongoing and still continuing with new and unpleasant developments. I'll try to share more as our journey together unfolds.

Welcome again. I hope this turns out to be a great place for us all.

Curious

[donsnow]

Hi, Curious and all -

I'm writing to say that my participation may come intermittantly, because my computer has an intermittant problem. Sometimes, it won't turn on. When it's like that, all I can do is retry from time to time, until it does turn on.

I'm on a fixed income without a private vehicle and so rely on public transportation. Sometimes neighbors and friends help me out with a ride. All my family is out of town. I live alone but sometimes a special lady comes by and cooks for me or sees how I'm doing.

I've been going for professional help since 1990 and have experience in and out of the recovery scene. The Catholic church is my main help. For years, I have pictured myself clinging to Jesus' cross with him on it. That's why I was attracted to this group. Ya'll also afford me contact with other Catholics, which I desperately need. Regular prayer and how I view my self are also very important. So is regular attendance at Mass.

My self-perception changed about five years ago. I was in a Parish Bible study and a visitor asked me what I was. We must have spent five minutes of my coming up with, "a prior Marine", "...security guard..." "...poet..." "...singer..." etc. Finally, he says, "Don, you're a sinner."
I knew that. And I protested at him saying I would always be a sinner, "Don't condemn me to a life of sin!"

A few weeks later, after pondering all this in my heart, I decided, "I have my choice of what kind of sinner I can be...I choose to be a repentInant sinner."
Since then, the Holy Spirit could get through to me, and show me where I needed to repent. This has really helped me a lot. That's why I'm sharing it here.

Don

[kimberly923200]

JMJ
Hi, All!

My name is Kimberly, and after suffering for about 25 years, I was diagnosed as being Bipolar when I was about 40. I also suffer from anxiety, the severity of which differs from day to day. My husband is also bipolar with TERRIBLE anxiety. We recently lost our insurance, so my husband and I cannot afford all the meds we need. Thank God for the Church, or we would have both committed suicide by now! We are both converts. I converted in 1983 and he converted in 1987. We married in 1987 and both our suffering has gotten worse ever since. We were absent from the Church for 20 years. We didn't leave the Church, we just didn't go to Mass. I think it was mostly due to our illness. But at any rate, we started listening to and watching Fr. John Corapi (EWTN TV and Radio) just before Holy Week in 2008 and returned because of his powerful preaching of the Truth! I have no doubt that Jesus, through him, saved our lives - both physically and spiritaully! I cannot say enough good things about Fr. Corapi for that reason. I am doing my best to pray more often, avail myself of the Sacraments more, try to make Holy Hours and do all I can to build my faith, including belonging to this group. CAF has also been instumental in hleping me to grow and feel loved and needed. I appreciate all of you so much for accepting me as I am and embracing me wholeheartedly! May God bless you all and bring you His peace. All of you are in my prayers (as humble and imperfect as they may be).

Blessings,
Kimberly

[leeray]

Hello, everyone,
I have Bipolar with pretty much constant hypomania (mania never really goes away). I am very happy Curious (and Bat Girl) are keeping this group going. For me, this last two weeks were a very typical example of Bipolar. I start a group, pretty soon I'm joining three,
spending hours reading different stuff, eventually I crashed and I've been in bed 5 days with exhaustion. I don't sleep (mania) but I'm flat out exhausted. Very typical bipolar behavior. Cranked the Serequel up to 400, now I'm pretty rested and 50. We all face alot of issues. Mine are pretty common. Good to Meet You All
Leeray

[kimberly923200]

JMJ

Hi, Leeray!!!

So great to have you back! I am not running anythng though, just Curious' assistant. I'm really not up to the "big" responsibilities at this time.

I know how you feel. I visited the Bipolar group last night and spent hours there (and at other groups/threads as well) reading and responding to the posts that the kind people had sent me containing excellent advice and support. I am exhausted and will not be able to do that again tonight. I really bit off more than I could chew!

I am so glad you are feeling better! We are looking forward to seeing more of you.

Love and prayers in Christ,
Kimberly, "Batgirl"

[donsnow]

Hi, Leeray -

I'm adding you and your husband to my prayers.
I think we all agree it's God answering prayer that holds each of us together and blesses our relationships.

God loves you and your husband,
Don

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. My name is Holly. I suffer from borderline personality disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, and adult adhd. I am hoping that God will heal me so that I may become a nun but I don't know if it's God's will for me to be healed in this life or not. Regardless, I will serve Him always.

[Curious]

Whew holly! That's lots o' diagnoses! Welcome! I hope you make it to nunhood if it be the will of God.

Curious