Posted by Eddie Sylvano on November 6, 2002, at 15:04:03
Hey all,
I had a girlfriend that was in therapy and on medications for about 5 years. She was diagnosed bipolar, put on lithium and lamictal (and other stuff), and struggled on for years. Eventually, her concurrent alcoholism got out of hand, and she went to rehab. Either in rehab or after, she turned to religion. Previously, she would be one to mock religions, and the premises that they're based on. So now, aside from taking up religion, she's stopped medications altogether and changed character, to a strong degree. All of this happened in the span of several months.
Ok. It's been a positive change for her, I'll grant. She's recognized problems that she had, and addressed them. Her new friends in the church do an unofficial job of policing her (previously riotous) behavior. She says things are great. Still, having known this girl for several years, I question her decision to stop taking medications. I also question the authenticity of her newfound faith. I forsee her entangling herself into this new lifestyle over the coming months, perhaps forging friendships and romantic ties, investing heavily in this plan, and then eventually relapsing, with predictable consequences. My question to the group would be, can this work long term? Has anyone ever just bucked a lifetime of mental illness, changed their personality in a major way, and succeeded? Is faith forged in a moment of necessity durable enough to weather the distance? For that matter, why do people need a religious transformation in order to discipline themselves? Do they just not feel qualified to make their own desicions about what they should and shouldn't do? What's the appeal? Anyone?
poster:Eddie Sylvano
thread:1203
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20021001/msgs/1203.html