Comment by Meghan McWilliams on August 5, 2011 at 6:40pm

If it was my mother I would make sure she wasn’t being taken advantage of.I have this issue with my grandmother. She trusts everyone. She doesn’t understand that some professionals aren’t looking out for her best interests they are looking at their bank accounts.

Comment by Carol Whitt on August 5, 2011 at 6:51pm

Thinking about it, I'm not sure her therapist suggested it this time. My mom's been looking into this extensively, otherwise she wouldn't have gotten the tapes.

When I was dabbling in Paganism and whatnot, before I finally stopped believing entirely, I dabbled with believing in pseudosciences like ghosts and reincarnation.

I see now that in addition to having no credible scientific evidence, it's dangerous to believe in it. One can literally drive themselves crazy looking for things that aren't there. Every creak or shadow is a spirit, every connection with a person is a link to a "past life". It's maddening.

My mother has literally given herself over to this way of thinking. She's convinced that some past transgression is the cause of her misery now, and is willing to go through this "therapy", as if knowing will make it any easier.

Comment by Meghan McWilliams on August 5, 2011 at 7:24pm

That must be difficult to deal with. I can imagine why you feel like her parent. My father was bi-polar and extremely religious. When I was a child he was actually institutionalized for claiming god spoke to him all sorts of crap. He isn’t alive so I have never had to deal with it as an adult. I don’t know I would do if I had to. It’s heartbreaking to see people like that. It’s rather peculiar that a therapist would recommend a “therapy” of that nature to someone with mental illness like bi-polar disorder. I find it to be very irresponsible, actually. People that legitimately have bi-polar disorder often have auditory or visual hallucinations. To play on this in anyway whatsoever, while medicating her for it, is a complete and totally ridiculous. I have been in school studying this crap since 05’. I am sure, with your family history, you are very educated too. You might want to call a different therapist or psychiatrist and ask them what they suggest. I’m fairly confident most licensed professionals are going to agree and tell you this is not good maybe they can steer you in the right direction.

Comment by Carol Whitt on August 5, 2011 at 7:41pm

It can be tiring, I currently live in her house. I'm glad she's finally seeking help, but her belief in pseudoscience and her half-ass Christianity are maddening.

When I was trying to be a "devout Christian", I was constantly seeking guidance from the congregation because I was certain demons were after me. When I left the church and was dabbling in New Age beliefs, I would be paralyzed with fear because I was certain our house was for sure haunted.

Now that I've given all that up and started thinking logically, that's all gone. Hell, I spent one day on these forums and I'm no longer afraid of dying.

since bi-polar is genetic, I'm certain I'll be diagnosed with it eventually. But at the moment, with no religious constraints mucking up my reasoning and thought, I've never felt more...sane.

I'll to take that suggestion, Meghan. I'm sure I can speak to local therapists and see what they say.

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