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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Mental illness, demonic attacks and culpability	Rosanna	Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Question: Hello Bro Ignatius, I appreciate this board and all your hard work! I am a person with a couple of mental illnesses (ADHD and bipolar disorder), which I chose to treat with medications, cognitive-behavioural therapy and self-help. Because I am a Catholic often finding myself in a discussion with other Catholics with the same problem(s), I would love to ask some questions. Many claim that the sins that happens because of mental illness have reduced culpability: 1) is it always true? Or are we more culpable whenever we don't take medications, refuse to engage in therapy, and/or refuse to be corrected by our Catholic peers? 2) Many also claim that mental illness is a state in which there is nothing that can be done except praying. Is it a Catholic position to have? I mean, as Catholics, aren't we supposed to do more than just pop the pills and pray God to help us? 3) Some also claim that the choice of treatment for mental illness is a personal one and nobody should give "unsolicited advice". Is it compliant with the teachings of the Church to only listen to a suggestion when we've asked for it? Or aren't we, as Catholics, supposed to freely give (and take!) suggestions whenever we see another Catholic erring? Finally, my last question: 4) Do you think that Satan can use mental illness to convince us that every opinion, feeling or thought we have is "valid" even when it means that we are fearful of our neighbors, preoccupied with always being right, prideful and stubborn to think we know better than our priests what's better for our souls? Thank you.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Rosanna: Thank you for asking questions about mental illness. You will be rewarded by God as you persevere in the faith despite your suffering. On question #1: The Church teaches that in order for a grave sin to be mortal one must commit that sin with full freedom of will, to be fully capable of unimpaired choice. Those with mental illness may or may not have their ability to freely choose impaired. It depends on the sin and on the particular mental illness. Refusing to go to therapy, or to take medications, or to be corrected by Catholic peers can increase culpability, but again it depends on the nature of the mental illness since those things may be a result of the illness and not free volition. In any event, we can never know for sure if a person is in a state of diminished responsibility, and we certainly cannot make that decision about ourselves. Thus, if one has committed an objectively grave sin, they should go to confession anyway. On question #2: The Church leaves the issue of mental illness to the professionals. Its treatment is a medical matter. As for the Church, she is certainly compassionate toward those with mental illness and seeks to help them and pray for them in all ways possible. The Church encourages mentally ill people to participate in the Sacraments and in the devotional Catholic life to the best of their abilities. You should do what you are able to do to help yourself. That means taking your medications, praying, receiving the Sacraments frequently, and also living the good Catholic life as best as you can -- doing good works, devotions, etc. You will receive graces as a result. On question #3: Yes, if we see someone sin or in trouble we have an obligation to help and to advise such a person IF we are in position to do so. But, we must always remember that we cannot help someone who does not wish to be helped. We can, out of love and concern, suggest to a person that they ought to see a doctor, for example, but we cannot force them to do so. On question #4: Yes, it is possible for the devil to exploit mental illness for his own purposes. But, much of the behavior, including that of "thinking we know better than our priests" can be a result of the mental illness itself, or it can be a result of good old fashioned pride (which is a problem for all of us). 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

Mental illness, demonic attacks and culpability

Rosanna

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Question:

Hello Bro Ignatius,

I appreciate this board and all your hard work!

I am a person with a couple of mental illnesses (ADHD and bipolar disorder), which I chose to treat with medications, cognitive-behavioural therapy and self-help. Because I am a Catholic often finding myself in a discussion with other Catholics with the same problem(s), I would love to ask some questions.

Many claim that the sins that happens because of mental illness have reduced culpability:

1) is it always true? Or are we more culpable whenever we don't take medications, refuse to engage in therapy, and/or refuse to be corrected by our Catholic peers?

2) Many also claim that mental illness is a state in which there is nothing that can be done except praying. Is it a Catholic position to have? I mean, as Catholics, aren't we supposed to do more than just pop the pills and pray God to help us?

3) Some also claim that the choice of treatment for mental illness is a personal one and nobody should give "unsolicited advice".

Is it compliant with the teachings of the Church to only listen to a suggestion when we've asked for it? Or aren't we, as Catholics, supposed to freely give (and take!) suggestions whenever we see another Catholic erring?

Finally, my last question:

4) Do you think that Satan can use mental illness to convince us that every opinion, feeling or thought we have is "valid" even when it means that we are fearful of our neighbors, preoccupied with always being right, prideful and stubborn to think we know better than our priests what's better for our souls?

Thank you.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Rosanna:

Thank you for asking questions about mental illness. You will be rewarded by God as you persevere in the faith despite your suffering.

On question #1: The Church teaches that in order for a grave sin to be mortal one must commit that sin with full freedom of will, to be fully capable of unimpaired choice. Those with mental illness may or may not have their ability to freely choose impaired. It depends on the sin and on the particular mental illness.

Refusing to go to therapy, or to take medications, or to be corrected by Catholic peers can increase culpability, but again it depends on the nature of the mental illness since those things may be a result of the illness and not free volition.

In any event, we can never know for sure if a person is in a state of diminished responsibility, and we certainly cannot make that decision about ourselves. Thus, if one has committed an objectively grave sin, they should go to confession anyway.

On question #2: The Church leaves the issue of mental illness to the professionals. Its treatment is a medical matter. As for the Church, she is certainly compassionate toward those with mental illness and seeks to help them and pray for them in all ways possible. The Church encourages mentally ill people to participate in the Sacraments and in the devotional Catholic life to the best of their abilities.

You should do what you are able to do to help yourself. That means taking your medications, praying, receiving the Sacraments frequently, and also living the good Catholic life as best as you can -- doing good works, devotions, etc. You will receive graces as a result.

On question #3: Yes, if we see someone sin or in trouble we have an obligation to help and to advise such a person IF we are in position to do so. But, we must always remember that we cannot help someone who does not wish to be helped. We can, out of love and concern, suggest to a person that they ought to see a doctor, for example, but we cannot force them to do so.

On question #4: Yes, it is possible for the devil to exploit mental illness for his own purposes. But, much of the behavior, including that of "thinking we know better than our priests" can be a result of the mental illness itself, or it can be a result of good old fashioned pride (which is a problem for all of us).

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.