This has been a sore spot for me for some time. Many people out there are clinically depressed. But the church will tell these people that they don't have enough faith, that they're not holy enough, that they obviously don't have "enough of Jesus" or they wouldn't be depressed. I know because I am one of those people who has suffered from depression and anxiety for a very long time.
There's a stigma on those of us with "mood disorders," especially within the walls of religion. I remember in high school being prayed over for my paranoia, anxiety, and depression. I had not been diagnosed, but I suffered deeply from it. I still do. In 2005, I was diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder, which is a mild form of bipolar disorder. DISCLAIMER: bipolar disorder is NOT schizophrenia, nor is it Multiple Personality Disorder. Bipolar disorder is where you are on an emotional roller coaster... you have extreme highs and extreme lows. Bipolar persons do NOT hear voices or have alter egos. So don't get confused by the Hollywood portrayal of Bipolar persons. There are many famous people, such as Robin Williams, who are bipolar.
Okay, now back to my soapbox. As I said, in 2005, I was diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder. I've had people pray and pray and rebuke it off of me. I'm still "bipolar," people! It is a chemical disorder in the brain. I have had people tell me that it's demonic, etc., etc. I don't necessarily agree with that. It's simply a misfiring of neurons.
I have known so many people who have become stigmatized by the church because of depression. Instead of cracking the whip and telling us how plagued we are, why not just love us and support us? Chances are, if we had more support from our friends, we wouldn't suffer from AS much depression as we do. The constant beating from religion just crushes people even more. Stop trying to cast out demons and just love and support and pray for us.
So that's my soapbox for today...
From a former slave to religion,
Maegan V.
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