Mental Suffering

Mental Suffering

Personal Experience

Deliverance from Depression "I wanted God to help me because I couldn't help myself. I felt ashamed, powerless, confused. I depended on the people around me to save me, yet I pushed them away. What did it matter anyway? If I died, there would be no more fear, no more feeling, no more pain."

Getting My Life Back "I was a crazy, frightened Irishman. Mad Mick, some called me. I did the typical things drunks do, like joking around to impress my mates and saying and doing idiot things. I argued a lot with people. My life made no sense."

God and the Blues "At times I denied the problem and fought it like a cornered rat. At other times, I cowered like a beaten dog, as if my roller coaster emotions were my fault."

God Gave Me a Sound Mind "The doctors couldn't discern my blood pressure when they tried to take it -- typical of bipolar disorder. I was given medication to regulate my heart beat, as well as mood elevators, which turned me into a walking zombie. They gave me 24 pills a day during the month I was at the hospital."

I Am Bipolar "Helpless to turn my body off, I talked incessantly and slept only a few hours a day -- or not at all. My energy was boundless; I felt restless, driven, and undisciplined. I thought I was more rational and wise than anyone else. When others didn't understand me, I considered them either stupid or insane."

Panic! "I wasn't sure which I'd do first: pass out or throw up."

When God Whispered "I'd been a polite, cooperative person who had done whatever people expected of me. All my cooperating with doctors and counselors had gotten me nowhere, except the hospital."

Anxiety: Fight It or Feed It While some fear is healthy to keep us from harming ourselves, a lot of fear is good for nothing. V. Neil Wyrick says it's a fight we're sure to lose if we don't have the right weapons.

Dare to Defeat Depression Overwhelming grief is certainly one trigger of depression. But other events and life changes can also make a person feel as though life has lost its meaning and joy. JoAnn Reno Wray tackles this critical subject and offers resources to get on top again.

Get a Grip! Pain . . . confusion . . . fear . . . rapid heart rate: Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population suffers from some kind of anxiety disorder. Learn lessons on how to cope.

Mind Games If a mentally ill family member shows disturbing signs of violence, getting help isn't as easy as you think. In the midst of legal runarounds, practical and spiritual support is available.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Do you know someone who is bipolar? If so, you may be one of thousands who don't fully understand the disorder. Nancy Hagerman exposes the myths about being bipolar and offers suggestions on how to help a victim of it.