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| Exploring Spirituality and Mental Health: Women’s Lived Experiences with Bipolar Disorder |
Mental health and spirituality are deeply interconnected, offering comfort, meaning, and resilience for many. For women with Bipolar disorder, spirituality can be a source of strength—but also a complex and personal journey. Finding balance between your spiritual journey and your mental health journey will have its challenges but it's not impossible. This article explores the connection between spirituality and mental health, how spirituality has played a unique role in my Bipolar disorder journey, some common spiritual practices for mental wellness, challenges and misconceptions around spirituality and Bipolar disorder, and how you can integrate spirituality in your mental health plan.
The Connection Between Spirituality and Mental Health
Spiritual practices can have a positive and long lasting effect on emotional and psychological well-being as they promote a sense of purpose, connection to community and inner peace. This can lead to reduced anxiety, stress, depression and substance use as well as enhance overall emotional stability and wellness.
Spiritual practice can help an individual define purpose and meaning in their lives which can help them avoid feelings of emptiness and despair. This sense of purpose can foster resilience when dealing with challenges in life and promote positivity. Spirituality can also be a catalyst for forgiveness when dealing with difficult interpersonal relationship dynamics. It can also connect you to your community providing you with social support and a sense of belonging. Oftentimes people feel isolated when dealing with mental illness and through the exploration of spirituality you can gain a connection to others which is vital for mental and emotional well-being.
Spirituality and religious practices can be used as coping mechanisms for individuals struggling with mood disorders offering respite from some of the negative aspects of the illness by providing a positive outlet for addressing periods of depression or anxiety. Spirituality can provide various tools such as prayer, meditation or guidance from religious leaders which can help with symptom management and emotional well-being. Research suggests religious and spiritual practices are associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression and negative mood states attributing this to the sense of purpose, meaning and community support often derived from regular spiritual or religious practices.
It is important to note however, that although spirituality and religious practices are valuable coping mechanisms that can promote emotional stability and emotional well-being, it is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment for severe mood conditions like Bipolar disorder. It can be considered a supplementary resource that can enhance psychological and emotional wellness rather than a singular resource for complex mental illness. It has been my experience that the community connection, structure and routine that my spiritual practices provide me has enhanced the overall treatment plan for Bipolar disorder that I currently follow.
The Connection Between Spirituality and Psychosis: A Woman’s Lived Experience
I remember my first manic-psychotic episode like it was yesterday rather than 20 years ago. I was living in Gatineau, MTL, working as a hostess at a local restaurant and still dating my university partner. I woke up one morning and I felt different, almost superhuman with boundless energy. I could not sit still, my thoughts were racing, I was hallucinating and hearing voices that were telling me I was on a mission from God to save the lost souls of the world. I somehow made it to work that morning but when my manager realized I was behaving erratically and telling my fellow staff members God was coming for them to punish the unholy, he called the police for what would be my first wellness check.
The police took me to the local Emergency Room where I received a psychological assessment. After a few hours I was released into the care of my partner with the instruction to eat and get rest. However, when we arrived back at my apartment I was unable to be still, the hallucinations were worse as now I imagined I could connect with the Holy Spirit though my computer and the TV which my partner had to unplug because I was rapidly flipping through the channels looking to find messages from Jesus Christ.
When my partner realized I wasn’t getting better he called my mother to tell her I was very unwell and she needed to come and get me. My parents drove the four hours to Quebec and found me reading the Bible and screaming random scriptures at the top of my lungs. From what I can recall by the time they arrived I believed I was Jesus Christ, my father was the devil and my mother and aunt who had accompanied them were my disciples called to help me fulfill my holy destiny. After much struggle, my parents were able to get me into their car and we drove a harrowing four hours back to Toronto, my aunt in the drivers seat, my father in the passenger seat and my mother with me in the back seat trying to stop me from jumping out of a moving vehicle.
My religious ideations didn’t end there, over the next 20 years of episodes I would continue to have God-related delusions and hallucinations believing I was either the second coming of Christ or that the devil was controlling my thoughts. During my last episodes of psychosis I would have conversations with someone I believed to be the devil and I would even speak in religious tongues. I continued to connect with my spirituality by attending church but would often disrupt service by falling in the aisles and speaking to myself in an non-audible manner that concerned the other members of the congregation.
I can’t say why my psychotic episodes are God-centred other than that in my wellness I feel a deep connection to my spirituality and my religious beliefs have always provided me comfort in dark times. For example, When I was experiencing suicidal ideations it was Psalm 23 as well as the steadfast prayers of several family members that saved me from completing my attempt. Also, during my periods of unwellness I rely on the daily scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give you a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” This became and still is my daily affirmation which reminds me that no matter my condition I should never let fear dictate my actions on my journey to mental wellness. My connection to my spirituality whether based in psychosis or remission/recovery reminds me that my spirit is powerful, full of love and my faith encourages me to hold onto a mind that is sound even when it's not always sane.
Common Spiritual Practices for Mental Wellness
Spirituality is a unique experience for everyone. Some people find spirituality through prayer and religious practices like reading spiritual texts; others find that meditation and mindfulness help with emotional regulation. Whatever spiritual practice you choose, it has been proven that incorporating some practice into your daily routine can have a positive effect on your mental well-being. Below are some options for spiritual practices that may be worth exploring.
Meditation: Focusing on the present moment by quieting your mind. You can explore guided meditation practice or simply use medication soundscapes to create an environment of relaxation and calm. Some apps that are available are Insight Timer, HeadSpace or Youtube. This practice can reduce stress, anxiety and improve focus.
Mindfulness: Paying attention to thoughts and feelings without self-judgement. Practicing mindfulness can be done by doing almost anything. For example, you can eat food mindfully focusing on every bite and chew and connecting it to your thoughts and feelings. You can brush your teeth mindfully thinking about the feeling it evokes in you as you do it. Lastly, you can listen to music mindfully, really tuning into the words and sounds you hear and how they resonate with you on an emotional level. Mindfulness can increase self-awareness as well as emotional regulation.
Gratitude: Focusing on the aspects of your life you are grateful for can create a sense of well-being and positivity. Start a gratitude journal and make it a daily practice to first write down one thing you are grateful for and overtime you can increase the list. Before you realize it the growing list will foster a sense of contentment within you and help you start or end your day with joy.
Forgiveness: This is not always the easiest practice but it may be the most beneficial. Letting go of anger and resentment towards others has been proven an effective way to foster healing, personal growth and reduce stress and anxiety. Remember forgiveness is for you not others and it may be easier to practice writing letters of forgiveness and throwing them away when you are ready to let go and move on.
Prayer: Engaging in prayer can act as a connection with something outside of yourself. Whether it's personal or communal prayer this practice can provide you with a sense of comfort, peace, strength and connection.The practice of prayer can occur anywhere at anytime, out loud or in your head, this practice can be uniquely yours as you can allow the words to flow like a conversation or you can look to spiritual texts to guide you in your prayer practice. Remember there is no right or wrong way to pray as it is your internal connection to a force outside of yourself that may help you gain peace and deeper understanding of your journey.
Affirmations: Daily affirmations can boost your self-esteem, reduce stress and anxiety and promote positivity increasing both emotional and mental well-being. They can help overcome negative thoughts, increase resilience and help with self-worth, motivation and personal growth. Some apps to consider are Iam, ThinkUp, Mantra, GoodMind.
Connect with Nature: Spending time in nature can enhance feelings of connectivity, relaxation and calm. Grounding also known as earthing is a practice where you intentionally connect your body to the earth for example, your feet to grass, the theory states that earth is energy and you can get an energetic charge that has been shown to benefit sleep, enhance mood, reduce stress and anxiety, feelings of overwhelmedness and general well-being.
Challenges and Misconceptions About Spirituality and Bipolar Disorder
There are several challenges and misconceptions about spirituality and mental illnesses like Bipolar disorder. For women with Bipolar disorder the experience of stigma, finding a support system within their spiritual community and potentially a hindrance to treatment and recovery are all challenges that can be faced when spirituality and mental health collide. Stigma and lack of support from spiritual and religious communities has been seen as an issue due to lack of understanding of mental illness and the invalidation of experiences when dealing with a mood disorder like Bipolar disorder. Oftentimes the invalidation comes in the form of spiritual communities seeing manic-psychotic episodes as “demons”, lack of self-control, substance use or personality issues within their faith community. Rather than seeking help for the individual they practice the idea of “Praying-the-Cray-Away” , certain that the power of prayer or other religious ceremonies is the solution.
There can also be a misinterpretation of religious experience when some individuals experience Hyper-religiosity during Mania. Some individuals with Bipolar disorder may experience an increase in religious beliefs during a manic episode which faith communities interpret as a normal response to having an illness rather than a symptom of the illness. In some cases a symptom of Bipolar disorder can be religious delusions which include the belief they are Christ reborn or that they have demons watching them which can be difficult for the individual, their families and their faith-communities to understand. During depressive episodes people can feel like “God has abandoned them” or that “There is no God” which again can be a symptom of the illness rather than a reflection of their spiritual faith.
The fear of experiencing stigma from both healthcare professionals as well faith communities can act as a barrier to seeking help. A great challenge lies in people’s inability to fit their illness into the realm of their spiritual beliefs. When you experience mental illness for the first time but you have had a spiritual connection and been a part of a faith community for a length of time it is difficult to imagine there is no spiritual explanation for what is occurring in their mind. This can lead to feelings of isolation and confusion. It is important to find a balance between faith and professional mental health care. Anyone who has spiritual faith may go through this challenging transition but remember getting help for your mood disorder does not mean you are walking away from your belief system or faith community. Rather, you are taking the necessary steps to integrate spirituality into your mental health plan.
Integrating Spirituality into a Mental Health Plan
When integrating spirituality into your mental health treatment plan consider the holistic method which focuses on the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit, addressing the whole person rather than just the symptoms. Working with a mental health team that considers your spiritual and religious beliefs and practices can be key to remission/recovery outcomes. Maintaining an open dialogue about spirituality and mental health with your care team can make you feel understood and supported. Creating structure, routine and habits around spirituality can keep you grounded and stable in your mental health and spiritual journey. Finally, building a supportive community based on your spiritual and mental health needs will enhance your experiences in both realms creating an environment that fosters understanding and personal growth.
Final Thoughts
Spirituality can be a powerful tool for women with Bipolar disorder, offering hope, comfort, and resilience. The journey of spirituality and Bipolar disorder do not need to reside separate from one another, they will intersect and sometimes intertwine and it will be up to you how these two journeys compliment each other. Spirituality with its unique benefits can enhance the journey to better mental health. It’s important to find a balance and seek professional guidance when needed. Lean on all the communities that are available to you for both your spiritual and mental health needs because it is these circles that will lead you to better health spiritually and in your Bipolar disorder management. Every woman’s journey is unique—exploring what works best for personal growth is key.
Have you experienced the connection between spirituality and mental health? Share your story in the comments or connect with a support community. Let’s continue to have conversations that take us beyond the stigma to a place where spirituality and mental health can become two halves of a unique and holistic plan toward better wellness.
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