Does it help your mental health to get away from Mormons, especially TBM family members? Does distance help the anxiety/depression become more manageable?
I had severe clinical depression for 20+ years. About the time I distanced myself from the LDS church, things got dramatically better for me, but there were many factors in play at that time.
Leaving TSCC wasn't the primary reason I got better, but it helped.
Mormonism is toxic. You are never good enough. You never do enough. You never give enough. You can never "volunteer" enough. You are always being beaten down and given worthless tasks to do and being told you're not doing them well enough...
Go to all your meetings Read the BOM, Bible, Pearl of Great Price Read the Ensign and church news Watch conference Read the conference talks in the Ensign Read the crappy books published by the General Authorities Go to the temple "Volunteer" at the church farm or cannery Pay tithing Pay fast offerings Pay for some other slush fund "Magnify" a calling Do your Genealogy Pray Pray Pray And do anything else they deem necessary for you to work your way to heaven
I agree i still get mad when i get told to keep.volunteering by mormons, they havent done anything compared to me in life they sit back and tell people what to do like they are some crowned king.
It depends on whether church culture is the cause of your depression or if it is making it worse. It could be completely unrelated.Maybe try staying away from church people and events as much as.possible and see if it helps
When I was divorced and alone, it was even worse, to go to church and see all those "apparently" happy couples and families. I met and married the love of my life in the Mormon church, but we have left that culture behind us.
Yes, absolutely. Distancing oneself from a toxic culture and it's people is key to healing. When I left, my anxiety lessened, but my fury increased from being deceived, betrayed and violated. My struggle is not only not trusting others, but not trusting myself. How could I have stayed in the cult for 36 years? It ruined my life. I have PTSD since childhood so keeping my distance from toxic people now is a key goal.
I think it might be a good thing for you to try living with non-Mormon roommates and dating non-Mormons as well. It's a big world -- get to know some of its other inhabitants. As for your family, from what you've said, they've been reasonably accepting. I would try making changes in your personal life before distancing yourself from family.
Certainly yes. It may not be a cure, but it's very smart move for an introvert. Mormonism has no place for introverts. They will be forever correcting you if you aren't social. They live like insects.
It was for me. Being surrounded by a mix of people (including a few Mormons) was SO much better for my mental health than being surrounded by mostly Mormons. One is not surrounded by 'church, church, church', people don't talk much about religion in other areas. The 'feel' is different, more positive. Best thing I did was leave the morridor.
Mormonism contributed to, and at times caused me to feel depressed.
The unmistakable sign for me was the last Sunday I attended over a decade ago. Pulling out of the church driveway I literally felt myself fall into a deep depression as I left it behind.
That was the Sunday I had all the proof I needed I was in a cult. Knowing that strengthened my resolve to leave. I was bereft because of the lost time and years I had spent as a Mormon. And the harm it had caused to my family and to me.
It did for me, especially having my name removed. It was like a weight was lifted. I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but to a lesser degree. Having my weekends to relax and recover has made a big difference.
Like Don said, being an introvert in Mormonism is painful. It leads to depression in my opinion. I tried using anti-depressants when I was a TBM to cope with the feeling of never being good enough. I have not used them in over 20 years now. The best thing for me was to leave that oppressive organization. We do not change over night when exiting the corporation. Our new experiences, social contacts, literature, music, art etc. all expand beyond the limited confines of Mormonism. Having a richer life is one of the best antidotes to depression. Many still require an anti-depressant and that is not wrong. I do not wish to imply that requiring medication is a form of weakness. Enriching one's life certainly can help minimize depressive feelings. Mormonism does not enrich one's life.
As soon as we found out that TSCC was all BS, I felt shock, then anger, then I laughed when I looked at the picture of JS looking into his magic hat. My husband said several times since, that I look so much more relaxed, and also since leaving my place of employment that was run like the RS cult. Our kids have said how glad they are that they are out of the church. I'm still dealing with resentment at how my family was treated but it's getting a little better. It's hard to let go of angry feelings because I was hoodwinked for close to 50 years.
I have found that it does benefit to distance yourself but sometimes they will force themselves back into the picture because they dont understand boundaries so stay strong when they show up and try not to let them trigger you. So yea it definitely helps and it may take time to notice the benefit but as you feel more safe you will heal faster and become stronger mentally than they are, i have a ways to go but staying away completely works after a while.