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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
RE: I really need some help and I don't know what to do.	Dylan	Saturday, May 12, 2007
Question: Dear Bro. Ignatius Mary, Thank you for your help. I've still be having these feelings, though. I've been praying constantly and it does help but, then later it comes back. I don't try to think about it, in fact, I try to keep this out of my mind all together but, it just keeps coming into my mind. It really feels like demonic oppression (not possession). These feelings really start to increase around 1:00 in the afternoon and sometimes at night. I get really upset when this happens. When it happens I don't know what to do. I start to cry and my heart races. Eventually, I start to relax. I am not even able to sleep naturally at night; I have to take Tylenol PM so I can sleep. I don't hear voices or anything but, it feels like there is a force trying to make me doubt. I don't read or watch anything negative for this to happen. I just don't understand this. I've seen about many miraculous things such as Our Lady of Fatima, the incorruptible bodies of the saints, and even Near Death Experiences such as the ones I mentioned in the previous question and others. When I see these I believe and have faith but, later I get this surge of fear and doubt. I just don't understand why.I've been constantly praying. It does help but, then it comes back. Recently I went to a "group therapy". I only got through half of the story and the "therapist" said that I was imagining this and that I supposedly have OCD but, she didn't even let me tell her most of the story and she just 'diagnosed' this as happening. I know what OCD is and I've never had it past nor does anybody in my family. I'm positive I do not have OCD. She asked me if I felt better and I told her I did, because I prayed a lot to Jesus, Mary, and St. Michael the Archangel to help me and she said that I "just believed that the prayers would help". So she was basically saying that my prayers were meaningless but, I just believed it. That really hurt me. This has been a real depressing ordeal. But, I am not going to give up. I also wanted to thank you for your website. It is very helpful. Thank you again, Dylan
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Dylan: I am glad to see that you are determined to not give up. Perseverance is the key to the Christian life in general and is certainly the key in spiritual warfare. You need to give it time with the prayers and the discipline of thoughts. As for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) the primary genesis of this condition, according to the research, seems to be biological. OCD patients often respond well to drugs like Zoloft that work to balance chemicals in the brain associated with OCD. Personally, I think it rather soon, if indeed this all started at the first of this month, to be making diagnoses like this. But, your symptoms of repeated return to thoughts you do not want is symptomatic of OCD. This does not mean that you should be diagnosed with OCD, there are other factors that need to be present for such a diagnosis, but persistent recurrent thoughts is one of the symptoms. Because OCD seems to be biologically based, it is possible that even if your experience is demonologically sourced, that because of the demonic harassment, the chemistry in the brain could change so that OCD develops in addition to the demonic oppression. Because of that, I would advise that if this continues over time that you speak with your doctor about whether or not it would be appropriate for you to receive a prescription for a medication like Zoloft. Such medication can "take the edge off" so that you can more easily "take captive every thought to obey Christ" (1 Cor 10:5). In the meantime, the advice I already gave you will hopefully take care of any demonic element. But, keep in mind, that even if the demonic element is eliminated, there can still be residue of problems left behind. One of those "side-effects" of the demonic harassment that could remain with you is a chemical imbalance in the brain that could cause you to continue with the obsessive symptoms. This is why even with a demonic element present, that medication may be needed. There is another way, depending on the severity of the condition, to correct chemical imbalances in the brain without medication -- exercise. Exercise can effect the brain chemistry in much the same way as drugs like Zoloft. For some people with mild symptoms of depression or obsessive tendencies, exercise helps. BOTTOMLINE: 1) Begin to exercise regularly (check with your doctor to be sure you are in proper health for the exercise plan you adopt). It is good for you anyway and it might help to reduce the persistence of these unwanted thoughts. 2) continue to pray the spiritual warfare prayers and other prayers asking for God's help. 3) continue the thought avoidance technique of focusing on what you KNOW to be true regardless of what your feelings tell you. Say to yourself, out loud, as soon as the thought comes into your head, "STOP, I KNOW _______ are not true, I KNOW that _________ is true because God said so, and God is not a liar." It is important to actually say the words STOP..., I KNOW..., ....GOD IS NOT A LIAR. 4) also use the "passing open windows" technique of distracting your thoughts and feelings with prayer such as a rosary or reading a book, or watching a movie, etc. Prayer, contrary to what your therapist may have implied, is very important. It is not a mere "technique" (which it might have sounded that way in my list above) but the very foundation and engine of what you need to do. Prayer is real communication with God and has real impact upon our lives. Prayer is talking with our "daddy" and asking him for help. What father would not help his child when the child asks for it? God will help you, but you have your homework to do too. The "techniques" I described are your homework. If needed, medication may be added to the list of weapons to use against these persistent thoughts. The Bible tells us to not give the devil the opportunity. That is what these techniques are about--removing the opportunities for the devil to sift your thoughts. If all this is not helpful over time, you may need to contact me for a personal consultation. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

RE: I really need some help and I don't know what to do.

Dylan

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Question:

Dear Bro. Ignatius Mary,

Thank you for your help. I've still be having these feelings, though. I've been praying constantly and it does help but, then later it comes back. I don't try to think about it, in fact, I try to keep this out of my mind all together but, it just keeps coming into my mind. It really feels like demonic oppression (not possession). These feelings really start to increase around 1:00 in the afternoon and sometimes at night. I get really upset when this happens. When it happens I don't know what to do. I start to cry and my heart races. Eventually, I start to relax. I am not even able to sleep naturally at night; I have to take Tylenol PM so I can sleep. I don't hear voices or anything but, it feels like there is a force trying to make me doubt. I don't read or watch anything negative for this to happen. I just don't understand this. I've seen about many miraculous things such as Our Lady of Fatima, the incorruptible bodies of the saints, and even Near Death Experiences such as the ones I mentioned in the previous question and others. When I see these I believe and have faith but, later I get this surge of fear and doubt. I just don't understand why.I've been constantly praying. It does help but, then it comes back.

Recently I went to a "group therapy". I only got through half of the story and the "therapist" said that I was imagining this and that I supposedly have OCD but, she didn't even let me tell her most of the story and she just 'diagnosed' this as happening. I know what OCD is and I've never had it past nor does anybody in my family. I'm positive I do not have OCD. She asked me if I felt better and I told her I did, because I prayed a lot to Jesus, Mary, and St. Michael the Archangel to help me and she said that I "just believed that the prayers would help". So she was basically saying that my prayers were meaningless but, I just believed it. That really hurt me.

This has been a real depressing ordeal. But, I am not going to give up. I also wanted to thank you for your website. It is very helpful.

Thank you again,
Dylan

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Dylan:

I am glad to see that you are determined to not give up. Perseverance is the key to the Christian life in general and is certainly the key in spiritual warfare.

You need to give it time with the prayers and the discipline of thoughts.

As for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) the primary genesis of this condition, according to the research, seems to be biological. OCD patients often respond well to drugs like Zoloft that work to balance chemicals in the brain associated with OCD.

Personally, I think it rather soon, if indeed this all started at the first of this month, to be making diagnoses like this.

But, your symptoms of repeated return to thoughts you do not want is symptomatic of OCD. This does not mean that you should be diagnosed with OCD, there are other factors that need to be present for such a diagnosis, but persistent recurrent thoughts is one of the symptoms.

Because OCD seems to be biologically based, it is possible that even if your experience is demonologically sourced, that because of the demonic harassment, the chemistry in the brain could change so that OCD develops in addition to the demonic oppression.

Because of that, I would advise that if this continues over time that you speak with your doctor about whether or not it would be appropriate for you to receive a prescription for a medication like Zoloft. Such medication can "take the edge off" so that you can more easily "take captive every thought to obey Christ" (1 Cor 10:5).

In the meantime, the advice I already gave you will hopefully take care of any demonic element. But, keep in mind, that even if the demonic element is eliminated, there can still be residue of problems left behind. One of those "side-effects" of the demonic harassment that could remain with you is a chemical imbalance in the brain that could cause you to continue with the obsessive symptoms. This is why even with a demonic element present, that medication may be needed.

There is another way, depending on the severity of the condition, to correct chemical imbalances in the brain without medication -- exercise.

Exercise can effect the brain chemistry in much the same way as drugs like Zoloft. For some people with mild symptoms of depression or obsessive tendencies, exercise helps.

BOTTOMLINE:

1) Begin to exercise regularly (check with your doctor to be sure you are in proper health for the exercise plan you adopt). It is good for you anyway and it might help to reduce the persistence of these unwanted thoughts.

2) continue to pray the spiritual warfare prayers and other prayers asking for God's help.

3) continue the thought avoidance technique of focusing on what you KNOW to be true regardless of what your feelings tell you. Say to yourself, out loud, as soon as the thought comes into your head, "STOP, I KNOW _______ are not true, I KNOW that _________ is true because God said so, and God is not a liar."

It is important to actually say the words STOP..., I KNOW..., ....GOD IS NOT A LIAR.

4) also use the "passing open windows" technique of distracting your thoughts and feelings with prayer such as a rosary or reading a book, or watching a movie, etc.

Prayer, contrary to what your therapist may have implied, is very important. It is not a mere "technique" (which it might have sounded that way in my list above) but the very foundation and engine of what you need to do. Prayer is real communication with God and has real impact upon our lives. Prayer is talking with our "daddy" and asking him for help. What father would not help his child when the child asks for it?

God will help you, but you have your homework to do too. The "techniques" I described are your homework. If needed, medication may be added to the list of weapons to use against these persistent thoughts.

The Bible tells us to not give the devil the opportunity. That is what these techniques are about--removing the opportunities for the devil to sift your thoughts.

If all this is not helpful over time, you may need to contact me for a personal consultation.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.