Scrupulosity – Religious OCD

You may also wish to read my latest blog post on scrupulosity, which goes into more detail – Scrupulosity: Doubt, Obsession and Compulsion. Mental illness often manifests in ways which destroy things we previously enjoyed. Talking with friends becomes difficult in depression, enjoying a night out almost impossible. Our spiritual life suffers as well, as […]

A Black Dog

Today, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day, as set by the World Health Organisation. In honour of this, they have produced a video giving an overview of what depression is, and some tips for dealing with it.   Given that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in a year, and depression […]

Some Helpful Links

Hi there, I’m back again after a trip to Edinburgh. I’m a bit tired today, so I’m afraid a few links is all you’re getting! These are some links specifically on Christian faith and mental health that I have found helpful. Is Taking Medication a Sin? This article explains how the author moved from a negative […]

10 Ways to Cope with Depression

Including Scripture references.   Seek medical assistance. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Mark 2:17) If you are sick mentally, then you need to speak to a doctor, and follow the treatments they give you. This may include medication, therapy, or both. Look beyond. “This too shall pass.” Christian […]

Do Not Worry

In my life, I fight a constant tendency toward anxiety. I worry about things both rational and irrational, and sometimes those worries twist in me and produce nasty depressions. I have been searching my books for biblical examples of anxiety, and I found an interesting sermon outline in “Sermon Outlines on the Sermon on the […]

The Golden Rule and Self Hatred

What is known as “the golden rule” comes in Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. He said: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) This is an amazing teaching which, if followed by all, would […]

Be Still, Be Silent

“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” Henri J.M. Nouwen I suffer from too much brain noise. If I am anxious, if I am depressed, I find that my thoughts run on and on, and the sheer babble of […]

Hospital Chaplains

I noticed search terms about hospital chaplains cropping up in my stats box, so I thought I would write a post about them. I have written elsewhere about my experiences with chaplains, but I thought it would bear repeating! Firstly, What Does A Chaplain Do? A chaplain in any hospital (psychiatric or otherwise) is there […]

Is Anyone Sick?

I have been reading from the letter of James, specifically James 5:14-16 and thinking about its ramifications for me, as a person with an illness. James writes: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. […]

Who You Are in Christ

I found this on ChristianForums and I thought it was so wonderful I should repost it. When I am feeling down, and doubting myself, hating myself, then this is a great reminder of who I am in Christ. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me: 1 You are able – Philippians […]