Religion and Mental Health Matters

[ponde]

How come that if a admitted to a psychiatrist that i was hearing voices i would probably be locked up.

On the other hand if i sad i heard God speaking to me that would be OK.

Maybe someone with psychiatric training could answer that for me, please.

[davo]

Originally Posted by The Irreverent Mr Black

@Ponde: I do agree with your basic premise (I think it was), that some of the behaviour and supernatural belief of fundamentalist/charismatic christians is very close to the stuff of psychotic episodes.

Indeed, I think they train themselves to have them, not to mention their children.

[atheist_angel]

Originally Posted by davo

Indeed, I think they train themselves to have them, not to mention their children.

I know schizophrenics that are atheists. I also know an over-religious epileptic that is Jewish and sees Jesus frequently. These things are neurological, but many people can learn to reduce these psychotic episodes with mental self-discipline after they have been medicated for awhile.

Are you saying that you think the reverse could be true of religious people that have a mild genetic disposition for it?
I have always wondered about the possibility myself. It would take a major delusion to do it. Religion would probably qualify quite nicely.
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[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Originally Posted by atheist_angel

I know schizophrenics that are atheists. I also know an over-religious epileptic that is Jewish and sees Jesus frequently. These things are neurological, but many people can learn to reduce these psychotic episodes with mental self-discipline after they have been medicated for awhile.

Are you saying that you think the reverse could be true of religious people that have a mild genetic disposition for it?
I have always wondered about the possibility myself. It would take a major delusion to do it. Religion would probably qualify quite nicely.
.

There are a few autistic people who claim to be able to communicate to God. I asked one of them what God sounded like.

A deep masculine voice who never yells.

[atheist_angel]

Originally Posted by Crocodile

There are a few autistic people who claim to be able to communicate to God. I asked one of them what God sounded like.

A deep masculine voice who never yells.

Hey, I heard that voice once, too. But, I thought it was Shaytan. My roommate even said it was.
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[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Originally Posted by atheist_angel

Hey, I heard that voice once, too. But, I thought it was Shaytan. My roommate even said it was.
.

Interesting. I reckon yes there needs to be a few more psychiatrists and mental hospitals at this rate.

I've heard that people used to think LIGHTNING and ELECTRICITY were acts of God.

[atheist_angel]

Originally Posted by ponde

How come that if a admitted to a psychiatrist that i was hearing voices i would probably be locked up.

On the other hand if i sad i heard God speaking to me that would be OK.

Maybe someone with psychiatric training could answer that for me, please.

I have notice that mentally ill people in over-religious families don't get the help they need. They are encouraged to stay sick.

[Fearless]

Originally Posted by atheist_angel

I have notice that mentally ill people in over-religious families don't get the help they need. They are encouraged to stay sick.

Not just mentally ill, just recently we had that thread covering the story of the parents who tried to heal their childs diabetes with prayer... Well, until she died of course.

Sometimes you wonder who might be more mentally ill

[TÐöer]

Originally Posted by atheist_angel

I have notice that mentally ill people in over-religious families don't get the help they need. They are encouraged to stay sick.

Yeah good point. They either consider it a gift from heaven or being possessed by demons.

It's really hard to fathom that, some of these religious nut-jobs can actually be taken seriously, when they should be verified and treated accordingly.

[gruber]

All i hear is that voice, you know the one that tells you to kill all your friends before they have a chance to kill us......... what u guys dont hear that - Caboose (red vs blue)