I am not a religious person nor a prayer person and I believe that prayer does not cure mental illness and those that tell you to “pray more” because “it works” are invalidating the experience that is having a mental illness. Generally, I’m not in the business of telling people what doesn’t work because everyone is different, but this is one area that drives me nutty. Prayer doesn’t cure mental illness.
Fixing Mental Illness Through a God
Let me ask you a question, if you’re praying, who are you praying to? Is it some form of god? I suspect so. Would this be the same god that gave you the mental illness in the first place? I suspect so.
So why, on all that is logical, would you pray to the one that made you sick in the first place? If anything I would like to swear and yell at such a being if, indeed, I thought such a thing existed.
Why Telling People to “Pray More” Doesn’t Cure Mental Illness
However, let’s take prayer out of that quagmire for a moment. How about simply understanding this: no amount of talking to anyone will fix a mental illness. This includes your version of god or talking to yourself. The best thing you can do is talk to a therapist because at least they have a hope in helping you learn some coping skills that will teach you how to deal with your mental illness symptoms more effectively.
Telling me to “pray” or “pray more” is, honestly, just insulting. It suggests that:
- I am religious. I am not.
- I believe in such things (or should), which I do not, nor is it a requirement for getting better.
- Talking to yourself/a deity actually does something, which it does not (certainly true for me).
Don’t get me wrong, if you like to pray and that’s your thing, you should feel free to go right ahead and do it, but don’t think prayer is going to cure your mental illness. Payer might make you momentarily feel better psychologically (I don’t know) but prayer doesn’t cure mental illness. You will still be as psychotic after prayer as you were before.
I get that some people are religious and I get that prayer is part of some religions, but I also get that prayer does nothing for mental illness. You can disagree with me on that, if you wish, but I stand pretty firm on that one.
Prayer Does Not Cure Mental Illness
And I must admit, in my darkest of times I have pleaded to a god I don’t believe in to take away the pain I feel. I have begged and gotten down on my knees and promised anything and everything if even just a bit of relief was offered. Of course, none came. Talking to the sky is like that.
All prayer does is get your hopes up that an unseen force will actually do something useful for you. You what is useful? Actual science and treatment.
Now, I know, saying things like prayer doesn’t cure mental illness enrages some people. I’m sorry about that. I really am. I am just saying this so that people understand that prayer is not the answer and that they should not go around telling people to “pray more.” That is nonsense. If you like to pray, go for it, but I will not be joining you nor will I suggest that others do either.
Header image by Leila Darwish.
Inset image by NekoBlast.
I was adopted as a baby. The social worker handed me over to my adoptive parents when I was 10 days old. Growing up in my adoptive family was no picnic, believe me, but at least I had a family.
When I was 19 I sought out my biological family only to find that my biological mother had died by suicide (at her own hand) at age 23 and had another illegitimate child a year after me. I was devastated!
When I met my 1/2 bio sister she was just beginning to “age out” of the foster care sysem she’d grown up in since she was 12. Clearly I had had the better life
When I met my 1/2 sister she showed me a wooden plaque of a little girl in prayer that had my original given name handwritten (in our bio mother’s handwritting) on it. Our birth mother had carved that picture and wrote the name she had given me on the back. It’s obviousl to me now that she had truly cared and had prayed for me to have a better life. While growing up I did not believe I had such a great life but I sure did then
So yes I believe that prayers do get answered, but not always in the way we think or hope. Sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes the answer is no. It depends I guess on what we are asking for. Only God is privy to whole bigger picture. That’s why they call it a mystery
Yes I too have bipolar disorder, probably inherited from my bio mom, but I still have reason to believe in God and answered prayers. I pray for my sister all the time
I love this…prayer for your child are the strongest ones yet. That may be the closest we may ever have a drop of understanding of God’s love for us is. She may not have seen it but God answered her prayer for you and out of her love for you. Continue praying for your sister as I know you will…I wish blessings on both of your lives.
Why, because prayer changes things… when all else fails, if you are only just willing to believe and open your heart a little.
Yes it’s true prayer may not get rid of your bipolar but it may help you to cope a wee bit better. It will give you a taste of hope, if nothing else. Loss of hope is the number one predictor of a suicide attempt
Here are just two examples of answered prayers, likely not their prayers at first, but certainly that of others on their behalf
John Pridmore
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/gods-mobsters-the-story-of-an-east-end-enforcer-882625.html%3famp
Father Donald Calloway (AKA Krock, ha, ha) is another prime example. Part of his story includes spending a month in a locked psych ward beating his fists against the wall until they bled.
Yes, I know there are lots of scandals in the church, like pedophile priests, etc but there are also certainly lots of pedophiles outside of the church as well – I know this because I was molested by one.
None of us are perfect, christian, atheist or agnostic. It is always wise to use your discernment instead of naively trusting anyone
I don’t agree with all of the churches teachings but I certainly do believe in a loving higher power that I choose to call God
You don’t need to be religious or go to church to simply believe in a higher power. But what is certain is that there is definately evil in this world but there is also much good. Fervent prayer with a sincere open heart ❤️ will help you tap into some of that good if you don’t give up
Immature prayer is always about gimme, gimme, gimme and if I don’t get what I want, when I want it then I don’t like you (God, higher power, etc) anymore.
But mature prayer always encompasses the good of us all and the answers we receive to these types of prayers are not always what we expect
Remember, the creator of our body, mind and spirit also gave us free will. For instance, the will to choose a health care professional to help us on our journey but he also gave us the free will to destroy our lives by suicide if we so choose. Please choose life!
I will keep you’all in my prayers tonight ? ? ?
God will reward you for following the science of how mental illness work. Science seeks to understand how emotions work and you should be inspired not through information to live a lifestyle that is compatible with your soal. Drugs destroy your soal and are a sin, but your soal is in need of maintenance under the support of a psychiatrist. Psychosis is a spiritual emergency where your thoughts are destroyed by an imbalance of your mind and can only be healed by spiritual intervention. Preying can make you a connection to your inner thoughts and can inspire for positive action and change but cannot make you better. God will never reward beliefs that cause destruction, including destruction of your soal. God is the only one who creates the laws of medical science, and cannot be altered by you. The more we learn beliefs about god get observed to be untrue. But observing and testing in a lab everything is impossible so it’s creation is not something that can be reduced to simple observation. Only the way you are inspired to live your life can change your mental health and being rewarded by someone you cannot observe is being rewarded by god.
Sorry you feel this way Natasha but God and relationshio with Jesus Christ is the only reason why I am still alive and in recovery from bipolar illness.
Natasha,
Did you read my mind? If there is a God I want to know why he gave so many of us mental and physical diseases. I have heard every answer form God has something special in mind for me to I should go to church and I will get healed and on and on. I do meditate which to me is not prayer but a way to quiet my mind but prayer can be a meditation for many. I am an agnostic meditator. I always read posts from people who say sending prayers and hugs your way. My way? How does that work? Do these prayers and hugs know my address? Do they know what I look like. My next door neighbor who is a religious person has told me over the years I will pray for you when she asked me how I felt. Interesting that after a while I told her please don’t pray for me becuase it isnt working and that within a few days of your prayers I get sicker. She still kept saying she will pray for me .I was getting real mad and put an end to it by asking her if she talks to God and she said of course and then I asked , does god talk to you and she said of course. I looked at her straight in the eyes and said If God is talking to you and you can hear him then that is called schizophrenia. She no longer talks to me. I guess as a society we need to have this all mighty being who can part the seas, make tornadoes, bring floods and famine etc. etc. but for the life of me why cant he balance his checkbook. I know I am digressing a bit, but I am insulted. I dont push my beliefs on people nor would ever say something that makes no sense as in sending prayers your way. I would rather have someone call me on the phone so I can talk to them or come over but stigma, that little devil, gets in the way. I dont need prayer. I need compassion and empathy, but I must be asking for too much. Its so easy to say I will pray for you or sending prayers and hugs your way but darn it, I need real hugs, not the illusion of hugs. I need touch, I need to feel love and wanted and listened to but apparently the stigma satan is more powerful than I ever knew. Natasha… Watch for them.. I am sending kisses your way. :) You should be getting them right about……………………………………… Now !
I just don’t understand why God turns a deaf ear when you pray from your heart and nothing gets better. What more does he want? Your life?
To the person who says prayer doesn’t work I have a mental illness and there is a Catholic Saint called Saint Dymphna who is the patron saint for people who have mental emotional and nervous disorders it does help me to know this considering that there is little or no support from others like family friends etc look her up on the web read the story about her this is a plus in my life to know she cares and understands people who have mental illness what does it say in the bible with God nothing is impossible he can and will make things better
If there is a God Why did I get this horrific disease? Where was he, Planning something special for me when I die or too busy balancing his checkbook.? Prayer in some respects is a meditation and with prayer you may go to church and ther is a sense of community and it gives you a reason to get out of your house, especially if you have a very bad case.. But is has been shown that religious people have just as much stigma or more that the public. I try and mediate which is not praying but watching and noticing my breath and I am starting a yoga practice. No dogma at all. ….
http://esteemology.com/narcissism-and-religion-a-perfect-match/
When I pray, I ask God to guide and show me what I need to do to help my illness. Do I need to talk with my therapist or try to work on my mania/anxiety and hope it dissipates. Or sometimes I pray for peace. Recently, I had a hypo manic/anxiety state of mind. When I
Crashed, I thought for sure my therapist would fire me as his patient. later, I started praying and became aware that I had to make room for more peace and less stress. I needed to work harder on stopping my racing mind. I realized I needed to continue seeing my therapist. I still have a lot of work ahead of me. And maybe some changes in my meds.
Maybe you should ask God why he gave you this illness?
An interesting article in support of prayer…
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/09/18/new-study-examines-the-effects-of-prayer-on-mental-health/
Stating that “Prayer doesn’t cure mental illness” is a personal judgement, a matter of opinion and if I may say so somewhat close minded. It’s disrespectful to those religious folks who do believe in the power of prayer. That being said I do not buy into this notion wholeheartedly for myself as one who struggles with bipolar. But I’m sure there are some people out there who would vehemently argue that prayer has definately aided in their recovery. If it works for them who am I to argue differently. It’s a fact that even doctors ocassionally are witness to unexplainable miracles. Remember too there are various types and degrees of mental illness. Some people do recover from clinical depression caused by such things as divorce, loss of job, and other stressful life events and it’s quite possible that prayer may hasten their recovery depending on their belief system as they learn to overcome these difficulties in time.
On the other hand, the way I see it, “Stop telling me to pray” is more of a personal request that should be honoured and respected as well
I’ve read the continued comments in this thread and I see, in some, a pattern I see in society as a whole – the failure to accept that *not everyone experiences spirituality in the same way.* It is Natasha’s blog; she is posting about her wish that people would stop assuming on her behalf that their God will cure her illness.
Religion is a personal thing. It ought to be kept personal and not pushed upon someone else. That someone may not share your beliefs. Saying this does not in any way denigrate or devalue whatever comfort and fulfillment you derive from your own practice of religion – it’s just a reminder that it’s rude and intrusive to simply assume that another person experiences spirituality the same way you do.
If you derive a sense of comfort and healing from prayer, that’s fabulous. But if you wish someone else well in their struggles with bipolar depression, just say so without inserting religion into the mix. Please?
Another, person who fails to see why this is offensive. I consider the DSM, in many ways the same, but you wouldn’t see me going, and insulting people like this. I don’t feel their suffering is because of disease in their brain. However, many people are already in much pain, and they don’t need somebody mocking them, because someone suggested they pray. She can say to it’s okay to force medication, but if someone prays, she has the right to insult everyone who prays? People, may look to her for advice, and never have even told her to pray in the first place, and that may be the only thing helping. All she had to say, was I’m really not religious. If it’s personal, then why does she make statements about others. She generalized, and made it clear, that this applied to everyone, not just her. Agreed, it’s personal which is why her generalized jabs, make no sense. All she talked about was her narrow perception, which is fine, but is not at all relatable to anyone I’ve heard of who believes in any kind of religion. Nothing in the DSM is proven, explain why it’s changed based on what’s socially acceptable if it’s, an organic disorder.
Your faith in therapy and mind altering chemicals is touching!You may not ever completely recover,no matter what your beliefs !Living in the bible belt one learns to fake a polite response to sermonizing as well as inane therapists who listen,but do not hear.Just like God!Think about it!Why have faith in either?Put your faith in yourself !!!
medication and therapy appointments may not make
Thank you for writing this!
While I’m sure prayer can help some people in the same way that positive thinking or even the placebo effect can help people with their mental health – it’s dangerous to simply tell people just to pray when they have an illness, whether mental or physical.
I think we can all agree that nobody likes to be preached or condemned to or have others views forced upon them
That being said i also believe most people speak from their own experience. If someone suggests prayer would help maybe they are just trying to be helpful because it’s was what worked for them. Not everyone is so vocal about what their spiritual beliefs are so you can’t really fault others for stepping over the boundary sometimes because people aren’t mind readers. If someone said they were going to pray for me I wouldn’t be offended because I would consider it a compliment. Just their way of showing that they care. But of course that is just me. Now if someone suggested that I needed therapy I might take offence to that because that would be assuming I could afforded it, that I needed it and that it would help. My experience has been that not all therapies have been helpful and generally are priced beyond my means. Personally I find self help books/workbooks much more affordable and useful but again that’s just me
Good point. Some people are also help by this. You are right, that some aren’t vocal and may want others to tell them this. Some people like just the thought as well. Agreed with the therapy part for all of those reasons. My religion believes that anybody can be a good person, and religion doesn’t define that. Which would include all religion or no religion, however this seems pretty offensive. I get not feeling like it’s helpful. I have questioned certain things, however my religion now touches on that. She can be critical of religion, and say it’s not helpful, but why put others down. I don’t know why she had to go out of her way to criticize, people who find it helpful. Calling it nonsense, and saying it doesn’t help. She can tell people prayer doesn’t help her. Especially seeing as it might be the only relief someone reading this getting. I personally question the premasis of mental illness, but I also find certain workbooks helpful. Maybe not even the ones you use, but I’m not going to tell you it’s nonsense, because it hasn’t worked for me. However where is the proof prayer never cured any psychological stress?
What people don’t understand is that there are different belief systems and each one is equally valid. You don’t want someone telling you your belief system is wrong. You don’t want someone telling you to perform a religious act from a different religion. So don’t do it to other people!
People need boundaries and religion is one of those boundaries. So nobody should be telling Natasha to pray. Nobody should be telling her she is wrong not to believe in prayer.
People who are religious and feel they have been cured by prayer are rushing in to disagree. But believing you have been cured by prayer is not an argument against not telling Natasha to pray. She is talking about boundaries. She is not telling you that you can’t believe in prayer. So most of you have missed the point entirely.
Hi Sarah,
You have articulated my point quite eloquently. I find many people want to jump all over me without considering the nuances of what I’m saying. (Maybe without even reading the article — just the title. That happens all the time.)
– Natasha Tracy
Actually the title in itself isn’t very offensive. Only you seemed to make it a point to critasize all religious people. I saw nuance. You were criticizing everyone, not just the people who told you to pray. Some people may not have ever even mentioned religion to you, yet you dismissed, and condescended them.
As the other poster said, there aren’t any nuances. It’s bitter dismissal of spirituality. “God made you bipolar”, “talking to the sky” and other jabs at religion…. it’s offensive and I am not even that religious myself.
Your prayers are unanswered because you do not believe. I know I’ve been healed by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. Spite the doctor diagnosis. I was prayed for and laid hands upon when I didn’t even know to pray for myself. But I did believe. He may not always answer the way we want…sometimes he gives us healing, understanding, acceptance, peace. I will definitely pray for you interceding on your behalf as know I do believe, pray in spirit and have seen miracles small and big everyday resulting from prayer. Thanks for this article.
“…She is talking about boundaries. She is not telling you that you can’t believe in prayer (yeah, she kinda did). So most of you have missed the point entirely…”
I haven’t missed the point. The blog topic is titled “Prayer doesn’t cure mental illness – stop telling me to pray.”
The title alone does not speak to boundaries. If she had just titled it “Stop telling me to pray.”, that would’ve been boundary.
It is one thing if it were her personal opinion and her wish for people to respect boundaries. Yet, this is not what she does in the blog.
How does she know that prayer doesn’t cure mental illness? It’s is so definitive, that statement.
She then questions what is it that people pray to, questions why anyone prays to something that supposedly gives you the illness and how illogical that seems to be, sure it’s okay to pray if you believe in that stuff but it won’t do you any good except to maybe feel better momentarily (which by the way, so do pills, just saying), etc. and verges on the edge of mocking those who do.
She goes into the prayer does nothing for people, how she stands firm on that, and how we are essentially “talking to the sky”… “All prayer does is get your hopes up that an unseen force will actually do something useful for you. You what is useful? Actual science and treatment..”
So, it actually had little to do with boundaries except for someone to not tell her to pray. That would be, seriously, all she needed to have pointed out… “I don’t believe. I do not pray. I see no point for myself to do so. Stop telling me to pray. It insults me.” (emphasis on the “me”)
Those who are devout followers of Natasha (yes, I note devout cause some just hang on every pixel word) are rushing in to defend. Okay… great, but you know? There is not a thing wrong with those of us who do believe and feel something is larger than ourselves is there… rushing in to point out our 3 cents in disagreement.
Yeah, I agree, this article is pretty nasty and condescending. Shit slinging on spirituality that helps many many people, insulting religious believes of milions…. how is that going to help anybody? Sure, it doesn’t work for Natasha. But maybe Natasha’s way doesn’t work for some and yet she does like to present her truth. In many articles we are told what to do…
Though I remember last time Natasha was this nasty and called meditation and yoga falderal, she was in a bad place and then went to experiment with Truhope. Sometimes I feel she believes if she talks enough crap about the alternatives, it will make the medical model to work for her all of sudden.
****Those who are devout followers of Natasha (yes, I note devout cause some just hang on every pixel word) are rushing in to defend. ****
Indeed. It feels like youtube channel of some silly youtube starlet at times. There is something certainly cultish about this community :/
Thanks, I agree with a lot of your points. I’m glad people are commenting with stuff like this. I don’t know why she has to insult people. Especially when some people look up to her. I don’t know how she could believe in forced treatment, and then go off, because people suggest she prays, especially since people who look up to her may be helped. For someone who isn’t helped by other ways, or is still finding help in prayer this is offensive. If she had such a problem, she could’ve said, please stop suggesting I pray, because it is not helpful to me. Some people, may already make a lot of an effort, to respect those who don’t share their beliefs, and don’t deserve this. Not saying others do, but it’s especially disrespectful to those who weren’t even talking to her about their beliefs.
Definitely agree- Thanks- Will
Prayer does not cure only God does that and it is no different than God healing cancer and He has many many times. But prayer is the hope to cope. Not sure why this post keeps coming up but I know many people who have been healed by God from their mental illness me included after 16 years God has healed me. I was diagnosed with 12 different mental illnesses and was hospitalized every three months and last summer after a time of prayer and fasting God healed me. But nobody will understand this concept unless they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Please provide evidence of a time that God has “healed Cancer”……….
I agree that “Prayer Doesn’t Cure Mental Illness”, but I believe that a true Spiritual Awakening does, which has nothing to do with blindly following an organized religion, but finding your inner divinity and higher purpose on earth. Sean Blackwell has done a great job explaining how psychosis can lead to a spiritual awakening.
Thanks Natasha. Nor does prayer cure breast cancer. I am totally devoted to evidence based medicine, and always will be. My medical education taught me this. My professional ethics binds me to this. Whilst having been intelligently involved in a mainstream church for 25 adult years, I gave it away totally about 15 years ago when I became depressed. Through my husband, I’m continually surrounded by religious people who ‘preyed’ upon me at my lowest…with BP both and BC. I felt quite used and sadly, even more alientated. I don’t think they get it. Incredible condescention.
Thank you. Thank thank thank you.
Hi Natasha,
I really enjoy your writing, I find it thoughtful, insightful and very often I feel your points resonating strongly with my own experience. I was diagnosed in 2007 with bipolar 2 after some 30 years of being misdiagnosed with clinical depression.
Following my diagnosis I was offered medication which I immediately accepted and the improvement in the stability of my mood was quick but it only took me so far. My psychiatrist told me that Bipolar Disorder cannot be cured, but it can be managed. He talked about working out the best coping strategy for me.
What works for me is a combination of medication, understanding my condition (I have read widely on my illness and continue to do so), taking part in support groups. I tried mindfulness but that didn’t help me – but I am sure that it does help some people as part of their coping strategy.
I am a Christian and since my diagnosis I have started and completed my training to become a minister. For me my faith and all that entails, including prayer, is part of my coping strategy.
However, I would never tell anyone to pray. I often offer to pray with, or for people, but I am completely ready to take no for an answer. However, mostly they don’t say no. Perhaps they are just being polite ?
When I am in my good place my psychiatrist writes to my GP (my own local doctor) – I live in the UK – and he’ll head up the letter saying that I am “currently in remission”. This is similar to cancer isn’t it – often the nearest to cured some cancer suffers get is to be in remission, but they could relapse and many do. I experience Bipolar in a similar way, for me long with other things prayer helps me to be well. And when my mood flips, one way or the other, doing my best to hold onto the elements of my coping strategy helps me to stabilise again.
Of course, I fail to get a grip fast enough sometimes! ?
Thanks again for all you do through your writing.
Simon, You are amazing! I’m so proud of you for taking your illness in your own hands and doing the best you can. I have a son, 21. Who only takes meds about once a week , has stolen from me, is verbally abusive, etc. My daughter and I share a home with him. He has turned our home into a place of pain. I often find myself coming home from the store and thinking “where is home, where did it go?”. This is just 4walls and a roof we share with a mean person. My heart is broken. It has been for years. I don’t want to throw him out because I fear for his life, but how much abuse am my daughter (30 & disabled) and I (also disabled) suppose to put up? How long do we have to have our lives revolve around someone who don’t care about anyone but themselves? I’m sick of living with his very poor hygiene habits which have ruined furnishes, the sleeping for days, the not sleeping for days, never helping with the house or even his own laundry. I’m exhausted. I’m very ill with my own health and don’t know how much longer I’m going to live, and having to deal with feeling like my life trying to help him anymore is wasting what life I have left.
A word of caution from one mental health writer to the next, please be careful to research a little more about things you do not know or have not experienced. I am a Christian with bipolar I – psychotic features (rapid cycling/mixed features). First of all God, did not give us a mental illness. If you are familiar with Psalm 139: 13 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”, I can see where you and many other people would believe that God gave us our mental illness. We have to go much farther back than that to a perfect garden, Eden. To a man, and woman and a serpent. Once that first sin was committed, our world was changed upside down. The evil we experience and the cancer and mental illnesses and the still born babies are all because of the original sin. Our world no longer operated as it was created to be operated. Our Father God is holy and perfect. He is not going to therefore make His creation imperfect. That does not make since.
So, you do not think prayer could be used as a coping skill. Come with me to my job and I will be more than glad to demonstrate. The stress gets higher, I get overwhelmed, the automatic negative thoughts start to parade in my mind. I realize I am hearing these negative thoughts and I begin praying. Prayer is not some stuffy memorized unfeeling regurgitated sentence or two. Prayer is simply a conversation with God just like you would with a friend. So, I talk to God. I tell Him about the negative thoughts. He brings to mind scripture that pushes those negative thoughts out. The words to a song float into my head. He reminds me that He loves me and He sent His Son to die for me. CBT, anybody?
I understand that you are not religious. Therefore, you may have never done a Bible study on prayer or went to a Silent Prayer Retreat. If you have had no exposure to prayer, than why would you say that prayer does anything for a bipolar person? But let me say this, just because you have not experienced the mighty power of prayer does not mean it does not exist. Just because you have never been to Mt. Everest, does it still exist?
Just like in that work example above, I do not pray for healing. Now, do not get me wrong, when I was in a deep depression last week, I was asking (not with a sincere heart) to take away the pain. I usually ask for peace or to feel His presence. Prayer has and does and will do wonders for the mentally ill (well those who believe in it) that does not actually mean a cure.
God in Heaven is not into bargaining where you plead with Him and say “I will no longer smoke and chew tobacco if you take my big toe pain away.” God knows you inside and out. He knows your heart. He knows if you are sincere in your prayers or just star gazing.
In my own experiences, science; therapy and prayer have worked in concert to pull me out of the mud and bring me out of the clouds. I am firing my recent psychologist for failure to abide by that sentence. You are probably thinking he was all therapy and science and no prayer. Nope, just the opposite. The answer for a huge problem I am going through he says to me “Pray about it!” Prayer is good, but I need more than that.
If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to email me at lifeconquering.org
No, prayer doesn’t cure mental illness or any other illness.
Guess what?
Pills, nor therapy, nor ECT, nor Vagal Nerve Stimulators cure mental illness.
Mental illness is lifelong and non-curable, only treatable and manageable for many and so not for some.
I am a Christian but I am not religious. I am spiritual and I believe in the manifestations of the universe and I’ve noticed a few things and events, here and there, that have lined up just so… from time to time. I pray to God and to Jesus on a daily basis. If it weren’t for that and them, to me anyway, I’d been dead so long ago.
This is your blog and if you’ve been “triggered” by something recently in the line of someone or someones proposing you pray your illness away or to relieve… that is your choice to be angry and agitated.
You have tried, according to your blog, dang near every literal thing out there… you are not cured. You are not fixed. Even your symptoms are not entirely abated on any given day, much less, any given hour. Yet, you cling to the meds… others cling to prayer, minerals and supplements, illegal substances.
We ALL cling to something.
No… Sug
Prayer doesn’t cure mental illness.
Pills do not cure mental illness.
ECT does not cure mental illness.
Vagus Nerve Stimulators do not cure mental illness.
Talk therapy does not cure mental illness.
Yet they all help some or all or a few… those who chose one or the other or all… to make it through, one more day.
Hi Natasha – I have appreciated reading your blogs as I find them quite informative. This one caught me pretty off guard however. Your extremely bitter tone made me think if you said this out loud to somebody you would be yelling it. Being bi-polar myself I realize that anger and bitterness is part of our lives but we must try to rise above it. Your blog post left me with the feeling I should be furious at people that offer up their prayers on my behalf. I choose not to be furious though. Most of them mean well.
I did not choose to be bi-polar but I am making the daily decision to try and refrain from being angry at anybody about it. I would think that a person with your influence would not lead people to anger but away from it. I hope your future posts return to a more positive tone like the ones I have read in the past.
Good morning Natasha, I also don’t believe pray can “cure” mental illness any more than it can cure diabetes, chronic heart disease, cancer or any other disease. If it could, the hospital I work at would not be at maximum capacity on a daily basis. However, I do believe in miracles and that prayer can give relief from pain. When I suffered from a anxiety disorder 30 years ago, sometimes prayer was the only way i got through. I prayed hard for relief and a lot of times it appeared in mysterious forms such as sleep, a positive person appearing in my life, or kind words. Also relief did not happen overnite and sometimes it was painful. I havent been to church in over 30 years but I do have a strong belief system. Now i pray that science and medicine will find the way to quickly diagnose mental illnesses and be able to treat them and allow people to live a full life and be free from the awful symptoms that people with mental “illnesses” struggle with. My daughter is bipolar also and doesn’t totally agree with me, but we go day by day.
Yay! Well put.
My eldest sister who is very religious, said that she though god made me bipolar so that I could help others who are bipolar … you like that logic?! I’m thinking, “Wouldn’t it be a whole lot easier, god, if you didn’t make anyone bipolar in the first place?!” Needless to say, I felt like smacking big sister across the face … but I didn’t.
I agree with Ron. Prayer calms and centers me. When I lose hope it encourages me to not give up and to have faith in better days ahead. It teaches me to look within for the answer to my problems and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than a therapist (most of what they teach you can be found in a self help book you can get from the library). For me there is power in prayer. I don’t expect it will solve all my problems or cure me of my mental illness any more than anything else will but it’s certainly is a nice adjunct in my life. Another tool in my toolbox.
Thanks for saying this, I *hate* it when people tell me to pray my problems away.
I believe in a God, but I do not believe that prayer can cure illness or do much of anything, because I think God realizes that if he/she starts answering everyone’s prayers, where would it end? Things would happen with no apparent cause, and the world would be an unpredictable place. People really wouldn’t be happy.
Like another poster, I too have found an understanding church where most people “get” mental illness. This is partially because a fair portion of the congregation has a mental illness, or has a close relation with a mental illness. This is at least partially because of the NAMI meetings at the church. That and because it’s a pretty liberal/progressive church anyway. If I didn’t have such an understanding church, I’d probably say that I’m not an atheist, but I’m not religious.
Hi Natasha
Amazing you spoke strongly about the exact issue I’m struggling with. I’m getting it from all directions. Recently I was spoken over with tongues-that was different! I’m in Texas (hate Texas!) where you must be Christian. I’m rapid cycling BP 1. I consider myself spiritual. But all dogma I can do without. I love your statement why would the God who gave me this illness take it away? I believe I can learn better coping skills but the PHYSICAL ILLNESS is at this time incurable. I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while. I’m in recovery for alcohol and drugs (AA) and go to Alanon. I absolutely cannot keep up with other kids. Never enough meetings etc etc. plus these are spiritual programs so lately I’m told by both sponsors I don’t have enough God. I had dream recently that I screamed at everyone “I’m an atheist!” The pressure is making me sicker. i want to quit everything. Does anyone have experience with 12 step programs where you’re taught never say No? I have to say no. A lot. Therefore “not willing”. Or rejected completely. Everyones expectations, from family to program are causing so much anxiety and confusion I’m going backward with BP. Thank all. Amanda
Natasha, I respect your position on prayer and coming out and saying exactly what you feel about it. It sound like people have told you to pray, would pray for you or they “prayed” themselves (“cured’) their mental illness. It’s very unlikely that we can cure ourselves of what ever mental illness we have….but I believe we can hope for and come to some level of recovery…..with our own effort and help from professionals. What I’m getting from you is that your thoughts about these experiences around/about prayer turned into the outraged feelings you expressed in this article. I wouldn’t want anybody to tell me to “pray” and it will “make it all better”. I’d be pissed too.
Much of what we come to think of prayer in the western world is this overfly dogmatic beseeching and begging to a deity (God, Jesus, higher power….what have you.) to take away and or cure our mental illness…or make some of life’s problem go away or to give us something like a pot of gold or a new boyfriend. If some one told me I should do this, in this manner, I would tell them to bugger off too. I could see how it could seem that a person like this might come across as insincere, crass or just trying to blow you off so they don’t have to listen to what you’re going through….but I’m sure their intentions were meant for good.
Having said all that, I have to give the disclaimer that I am spiritual NOT a religious person and I think we are free to believe or not believe whatever we want about the universe. Dogma and rules do not appeal to me at all and that’s why I say I am spiritual…I believe and do what works for me. Most religions especially the myriad of christian faiths seem to have it backwards when it come to prayer. I can’t speak for everyone, but for myself I have found affirmative prayer to be helpful in my recovery. (I won’t go into explaining what affirmative prayer is….google if curious) Is it a magic elixir? No, not at all. It’s just another tool in my mental health toolbox that happens to work pretty well for me. I don’t beg and I don’t beseech God to take away my bipolar. When I pray I affirm the truth of who I am (all of the positive qualities I have or desire to have) and it centers me, it grounds me and often can bring me a sense of calm and peace…..you can use this technique and not even have God as part of the equation at all…ever hear of affirmations? CBT therapists talk about this all the time. Does it make me believe I no longer have bipolar? Of course not. I still see my doctor, I take my meds exactly as prescribed, I see my therapist and work on issues and ways I can change how I can think and feel. For me prayer is just another tool for my recovery, like the meds, the doctor and therapist.
Natasha, with all the reach, influence and following you have on the internet and in the world…..you have a lot of potential power to help others with their mental health issues and you certainly do help many people. I think it’s fine that you wrote this article and expressed your feelings. In my opinion, and this is just my own opinion…..you could have explored what the possible benefits of prayer may have for others….just as a tool, not as an “end all, cure all” for recovery. But is like something like ECT, it’s controversial….it’s worked for many but not all.
Thank you for your candor and honesty. I always look forward to your articles and your perspective and unique insights that you have.
Regards,
Ron
Natasha,
Thank you for this. Whether or not I pray is no one’s business, and if it would cure bipolar disorder, there have been plenty of years to test that idea. Prayer doesn’t cure mental illness. Medication, therapy, lifestyle choices, healthy eating, and prayer still haven’t and never will cure my bipolar disorder. That’s because there’s no cure, only treatment and recovery.
Thanks for this direct and correct piece.
Kathy
I am a Christian and I agree with this. Our bodies and minds are not perfect and God helps me deal with my MI and that of my son. it is unkind to insist that more prayer will make one better, even one who believes. I must say, tho, that when I pray, I am thankful for people like you who write articles and teach the rest of us what it is like to live with bipolar. Thank you for all your articles and honesty. It helps me understand and encourage my friends and family members with this harsh disease.
Yes, a hearty thanks to Natasha and all the other people on the ‘net that I’ve learned about mental illness from in the 15 years since I’ve been diagnosed.
Interesting read. I have one question: what is the reason that you are an atheist? I am very curious to know the reason behind your strong stance in disbelief of a higher power. I have learned that most feel this way because of a “religious” family background, in which they were forced to attend church or have had religious doctrines forced upon them at some point in life, or a huge life-altering disappoinment, but I do not want to assume. I myself am a Christian, unlike some, I do understand that everyone is not a Christian. I also realize that it isn’t my place to judge, but I am genuinely curious. With all of that being said, I too do not like the phrase “just pray about it” when discussing my mental illness. I know that I have a biochemical imbalance in my brain which causes emotional instability and such, I need medication and therapy to become better. Yes, I pray. Yes, I have a personal relationship with God. But I also know that trying to pray my mental illness away is not a likely way to “cure” my Bipolar disorder. It is however a coping mechanism that I use to help me deal with my symptoms, especially when I become overwhelmed emotionally (depression in particular). What I do know is that we as humans live in a fallen world, therefore we will all have suffering in some form. God allows things to happen in our lives, such as mental illness not to punish us, but to develop our character, to become stronger in our faith and to also know that we must depend on him to endure all that comes along with it. I do not debate about religion or if someone should agree with my personal belief or not, but I do firmly stand for what I believe in…as you do. Prayer helps me tremendously, I don’t expect you to agree, I do however hope that you view your statement in a different light.
Hi Nikki,
As I said in another comment, I’m not an atheist, I am simply not religious.
– Natasha Tracy
Well you did say:
“So why, on all that is logical, would you pray to the one that made you sick in the first place? If anything I would like to swear and yell at such a being if, indeed, I thought such a thing existed”
I’m kind of disappointed that you feel you have to ‘hide’ from the atheist label as if there is some sort of stigma that should be attached it. Don’t get me wrong, I like what you are saying. And trust me, there’s a lot of us BPDs that come from religious families and these conversations can be so, so much more personal and painful than the random annoyance of somebody commenting about prayer. Still, the very definition of atheist is disbelief in God(s)., which clearly fits your state belief. The problem is that people equate atheist to ‘ungodly’ and ‘wicked,’ so it too, like mental illness, carries an unfair stigma.
Yea I got atheist too when you say you don’t pray and don’t believe in this God or diety…I felt either tried him before and disappointed or never tried him because you don’t believe.
Thank you for this. I firmly believe that one of the biggest ills in society at large is the assumption that everyone must believe in the same spiritual truths as everyone else. It’s just not the case, nor should it be.
I’ve often thought how comforting it would be to hold such beliefs as “if I pray, I’ll be fixed.” But I don’t. I can’t. It’s simply not in me. I was raised in that tradition, so I understand and can appreciate what a powerful comfort it is to those who truly believe … But that is not me.
Instead, I ask people for their best wishes, good thoughts, and attention to the issues of getting the public sector to focus more on making more mental health professionals available to deal with the huge numbers of people who want and need access to them. I’m really sick and quite disabled, but I’m fortunate enough to have the best of care at this point. Too many people don’t. Those are the “thoughts and prayers” I ask for.
Natasha,
You rock! You have the ability to say so much of what we are all experiencing. Thank you for sharing your craft.
Last night I was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of the film Touched with Fire. It opens in the US Feb 16th. Its a great story about 2 poets with bipolar who fall in love. I would love for you to see it and share your thoughts. I am not a promoter of this film, but a Mom of someone who lives with bipolar, an advocate and stigma buster.
Hi Martha,
In all honesty, I likely won’t see it. I find such movies triggering and try to avoid them. (That’s just a “me” thing.)
– Natasha Tracy
I am a religious person, however, I’m so glad for this article! I have had too many church people treat me like I’m a bad Christian because I have bipolar depression. Talk about insulting! Prayer? Gee, it hadn’t occurred to me! It’s pretty much between me and God, and all I really want is a little leeway when I have a “down” day. A little understanding when I can’t be involved in something because it messes up my routine or is overwhelming. You know, just asking you to love me like Christ told you to do.
Fortunately, I’ve found a church where they are very understanding. They’re supportive without being oppressive.
Hi Shells,
I’m so glad you have found a supportive church. I feel terrible for all those who have the opposite. You know how damaging that is.
– Natasha Tracy
You are having a bad angry day. This not appropriate for most of your supporters. I wish you wouldn’t say these things. Have a great day!
Hi Cookie,
I totally disagree that this is “not appropriate for most of my supporters.” Most people truly don’t believe that prayer can cure mental illness and I am just saying what they are thinking. Moreover, many of us don’t appreciate being given sermons by those who do.
– Natasha Tracy
Wow this post made me sad to think that prayer cannot cure your mental illness. That is exactly what God did for me I was diagnosed with over 10 different mental illnesses and on 22 pills a day and 16 years later God healed me I am medication free still have to deal will some mental illnesses but God enables me through prayer and gives me the hope to cope. I know nothing is impossible with Him he healed me from three different eating disorders and most of my mental illnesses. I appreciate your honesty but am saddened that your eternal destination is not secured.
Hats off to you for being so honest about your feelings. I hope the piece makes people think rather than condemn you to that worst possible type of bipolar – atheist bipolar!!
I too am an atheist and interestingly, I believe that religion was a catalyst to my rapid cycling bipolar. My mother and her mother have/had bipolar so I was probably going to inherit the illness whatever, but there were a few major events which happened in my then young life which i’m sure together caused the illness. Religion being a major factor.
Hi Bipolar Al,
I’m actually not an atheist; I’m just not religious either.
– Natasha Tracy
Nothing gets under my skin more than some zealot telling me to “pray”……because I have more times than I can count. I have prayed for the same reasons you note. Well, he must not have been taking calls those days bc not once was I spared this misery by praying. I tried to believe; I really did. When I had doubts I read the Bible; from cover-to-cover. “The Greatest Story ever told” (emphasis on STORY). I guess that’s why they call it faith, something I do not possess.
This piece must have taken some courage to write! You risked alienating a whole lot of people with your candor.
I happen to agree with and your take on the power of prayer to cure mental illness. I dislike it when people tell me that they will pray for me, mostly because I believe it is disingenuous. I am not saying that people mean to be insincere, I just think “I’ll pray for you” is something somebody says as a way to disengage from an awkward situation. It’s like people don’t quite know what to say or do so they go to their fall back phrase.
I know some people really believe in the power of prayer and perhaps that is all they know how to give when they see a person they care about in crisis. I can see it from that perspective. They want to lift your spirits and instill hope but most people don’t get it. For people like me with a severe mental illness, when I am sick, hope is not something I have or believe I will ever have again. I have meds and therapy appointments. Those will make me well.