I am an Orthodox Christian, and I have a mental illness.
My particular variation of mental illness is Bipolar II, and you can read about my journey to diagnosis and starting treatment here, as well as more in depth information here.
I have not yet seen a community for Orthodox people struggling with mental health issues, so for lack of anything and since community is one of the most important factors in healing, I want to start something here. Of course, I absolutely don’t want to exclude anyone, so if you are reading this and you need or want someone who understands what mental illness is like, and especially what experiencing mental illness in a traditional religion is like, please reach out to me via my contact page or at my email, eventhinaltars AT gmail DOT com. I would love to hear from you!
A priest once told me that he has a lot of love for people who have psychological problems, because they are more sensitive to other people’s pain. This is our gift, a gift from the Christ who ascended the Cross to take on the pain of the whole world, the gift of empathic love. It can feel a lot like a crucifixion, so if you are going through this, please know that you are not alone, that there are others who have gone and are going through this. The swarms of thoughts and emotions are not your fault, and sometimes you do need more help than just praying.
I am going to write more about some of my thoughts on the experience of mental illness in Orthodoxy, so if you are interested please come back and look for the tag or folder entitled “mental illness.”
And He helped the poor man out of his poverty, and made his kindred like a flock.
The upright shall see it and be glad, and all iniquity shall stop its mouth.
Who is wise and will keep these things, and will understand the mercies of the Lord?
Psalm 106/107:41-43, HTM
Even Thine Altars 