My Brother Hears God - Family & Friends of the Mentally Ill Message Board

phoenix_TX · 05-14-2003, 12:04 AM

First of all....I hope somebody responds to this...I can't count how many times I have posted my Brother's story and have gotten no replies...I'm confused and at the end of my rope....I don't know how to help him...

Once again......My Brother who is 40 and an ex-horoine/cocaine abuser......explained to me of an episode that happened a few years back of a bright light that he thought to be God came to him and spoke to him......After this experience he did stop taking drugs....he had been a long time abuser and he went off of them cold turkey.....He continued to hear God's voice.....after time went on his wife filed for divorce because of his erratic personality change...he had become fanatically relogious quotining the bible...saying phrases like "God told me to tell you ." When he would hear Gods voice....his face contorts and he is filled with emotions...he usually starts crying......He says he hears him audibley and through dreams and revalations.....Presently...three years have gone by and he still believes he hears God.....Nobody seems willing to help him....He lives with my parents who are in complete denial of anything...He has no job because he says God wants him to suffer as he did and he is to be satisfied with food and shelter only....He will go to jail for not paying child support...he says Jesus was also persecuted he will be with him.........He told me today he likes being depressed because this is when God talks to him the most......And that he knows the difference between the wordly living and spiritual living and he chooses the way God has shown......This is not a case of a dead beat father or just a lazy man.....something has happened to him mentally, his personality has changed completely...he quotes the bible for minutes of end....he thinks his child that has epilepsy is special and is chosen by God like he was......He also calls himself a prophet of God......The court has ordered him to take a pschiatric evaluation if he wants to see his children.....My brother has confided in me that he can fool a Doctor....I'm afraid that he can.....sometimes he seems very normal and functional. Most of the time he is not...He believes the whole world is against him and Doctors are of the world..........My question to you all is ...has anyone heard of this or experienced it????
Should I fear for my own safety??? He hasn't shown signs of violence but in his past he was very violent and so I know he is capable....Can he fool a Doctor and Tests????? What can I do to help him????

Or someone please just tell me that you read this...your acknowledgement will be of so much comfort...I feel so alone, like I'm the only one who sees this in my family....Is family denial normal also???

arebe · 05-14-2003, 01:30 PM

I don't believe in God therefore my opinion is that he has schizophrenia or some kind of pyschosis that was triggered by his drug use.

phoenix_TX · 05-14-2003, 03:59 PM

I totally agree with you. This is what I have always theorized...He also has hepatitis c...this could be a contributing factor because he doesn't seek medical treatment... I've often wondered if he has advanced liver damage by now, could toxins be circulating in his body causing mental instability.. His oldest daughter has also been diagnosed recently as bi-polar..I believe my Dad is also. I'm afraid all of this is going to end in a suicide or homocide...I'm not exagerrating either...it's very volitale....It is driving me mad that meds might fix this...but I can't get him to understand that the voices may not be God.
The God part.... just sake of arguments..(Millions of people believe he does exist and that he communicates)..How many other people does he talk audibly to?????? I was always taught that his voice was not audible????
Do other people suffering from this affliction believe that they are special chosen by God????

Why God??? Why not the President???

AREBE- I'm not trying to be critical over your beliefs...that has nothing to do with all of this, and I appreciate your honesty and taking the time to answer...You are the first..I can see how easy it would be for you to say ok. this is mental..But believe me there are people out there who believe him and it blows my mind...(I happen to believe in God)But I don't believe what my Brother is claiming.I was just wondering what the people who believe in communication with God say???How do they communicate?? I mean besides prayer..Am I being to critical???? I'm just totally confused...

arebe · 05-14-2003, 08:55 PM

alot of people suffering from schizophrenia beleive they hear the voice of God too. From what I understand it's a very common thing with schizophrenia...but there's always that 'what if God exists and is actually communicating'. who knows? But I'd place my bet on the schizophrenia. it's possible that all our old prophets and mystics were really just 'schizophrenics'.

phoenix_TX · 05-14-2003, 10:11 PM

You are right and since this has happened it has shaken my faith.....Until I see my brother perform a miracle like walking on water. I'm definately leaning toward Schiz.
It does make you rethink and question history and what we were taught to believe.....now with all of the other religions coming to the fore front (Muslims) I'm even more confused....I have always been opened minded and not a follower, I choose my own path by deductions of facts....Sometimes I think it would just be easier to go on blind faith....
getting back to the subject....So do I go along with him or continue to try to persuade him that he has a problem??? He is at risk to lose his kids, Go to jail and possibly die because he is fefusing treatment for hep c....God is healing him..grrrrr

Just being terribley nosey....don't answer if you don't feel comfortable and please don't get offended...If not God...Then what???? or how do you see reality??? I'm just curious, truly people's beliefs and perceptions fasinate me...(except my bro's...hehe)