were many past religious figures mentally ill at times

[David Dalton]

This might be of interest to these groups since it presents some evidence
that many past religious figures were mentally ill at times.

On my Salmon on the Thorns website, http://www.nfld.com/~dalton/dtales.html ,
I document significant events and patterns in my mood cycles since 1991 and
compare them to those of some past figures. One key feature of my cycles is
an initial waning crescent mystic manic episode that culminated in a sun
stare, naked thorn hill climb, and blue rose vision, in early September,
1991. Then from 1992 to 1994 I had four waxing gibbous moon trials, and three
of them were followed 5.5 lunar months later by waning crescent hypomanias.
In early 1996 low/wilderness years began, and they are not over yet, though
while I am on medication they are not too low except in terms of creativity.
And on that website I present some evidence that I am similar to Taliesin,
Amergin, Lleu, Fintan, Myrddin, Adonis, Dionysus, the Havamal 138--141
composer, Quetzalcoatl, Glooskap, the Iowa Dakota Salmon youth, Rama,
Krishna, Buddha, the Turquoise Bee, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus, which implies
that they were similar to one another.

[Mike_Duffy]

Post by David Dalton
This might be of interest to these groups since it presents some evidence
that many past religious figures were mentally ill at times.

David, there are a lot of people who are not in any way religious to speak
of who at one time or another find themselves outside of their optimal
mental performance envelope.

For example, most of us at some times during life become depressed.
Usually, we do not seek professional help. We opt instead to simply use
friends as a sounding board and re-arrange our priorities to the point
where we can find a way to go forward.

Sometimes, we might be embarassed to approach friends, and instead use the
anonymity of an Internet pseudonym. If you look closely, a lot of people
posting here meet the criteria of mental illness.

[David Dalton]

Post by Mike_Duffy

Post by David Dalton
This might be of interest to these groups since it presents some evidence
that many past religious figures were mentally ill at times.

David, there are a lot of people who are not in any way religious to speak
of who at one time or another find themselves outside of their optimal
mental performance envelope.
For example, most of us at some times during life become depressed.
Usually, we do not seek professional help. We opt instead to simply use
friends as a sounding board and re-arrange our priorities to the point
where we can find a way to go forward.
Sometimes, we might be embarassed to approach friends, and instead use the
anonymity of an Internet pseudonym. If you look closely, a lot of people
posting here meet the criteria of mental illness.

I said that many religious figures were mentally ill at times, not that
everyone who is mentally ill is a religious figure.

[David Dalton]

Post by David Dalton

Post by Mike_Duffy

Post by David Dalton
This might be of interest to these groups since it presents some evidence
that many past religious figures were mentally ill at times.

David, there are a lot of people who are not in any way religious to speak
of who at one time or another find themselves outside of their optimal
mental performance envelope.
For example, most of us at some times during life become depressed.
Usually, we do not seek professional help. We opt instead to simply use
friends as a sounding board and re-arrange our priorities to the point
where we can find a way to go forward.
Sometimes, we might be embarassed to approach friends, and instead use the
anonymity of an Internet pseudonym. If you look closely, a lot of people
posting here meet the criteria of mental illness.

I said that many religious figures were mentally ill at times, not that
everyone who is mentally ill is a religious figure.

Note that the DSM 5 has a category entitled
Religious and Spiritual Problems.

[Angela P]

I think when you have faith in God and religion you do certain things like speak to them you find yourself on a mission for them and when you tell all this to other people that don't have faith yeah they think you're a little bit crazy so leaders that have a connection to God outsiders would say they are little mentally ill

[David Dalton]

Post by David Dalton
This might be of interest to these groups since it presents some evidence
that many past religious figures were mentally ill at times.
On my Salmon on the Thorns website, http://www.nfld.com/~dalton/dtales.html ,
I document significant events and patterns in my mood cycles since 1991 and
compare them to those of some past figures. One key feature of my cycles is
an initial waning crescent mystic manic episode that culminated in a sun
stare, naked thorn hill climb, and blue rose vision, in early September,
1991. Then from 1992 to 1994 I had four waxing gibbous moon trials, and three
of them were followed 5.5 lunar months later by waning crescent hypomanias.
In early 1996 low/wilderness years began, and they are not over yet, though
while I am on medication they are not too low except in terms of creativity.
And on that website I present some evidence that I am similar to Taliesin,
Amergin, Lleu, Fintan, Myrddin, Adonis, Dionysus, the Havamal 138--141
composer, Quetzalcoatl, Glooskap, the Iowa Dakota Salmon youth, Rama,
Krishna, Buddha, the Turquoise Bee, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus, which implies
that they were similar to one another.

I edited the web page slightly tonight, updating the Recent Changes
subpage and moving entries that were in it from 2013 to July, 2018
to the last subsubpage of the Biography/mystic experiences subpage.