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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Is PTSD a sin of rumination	Teresa	Sunday, January 6, 2013
Question: I was told that rumination is a sin of bringing back events which cause stress. I did that returning back to church and the sacraments and I been having serious bots of PTSD.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD Dear Teresa: I am sorry that you have been hurt and are suffering PTSD. We will pray for you. It is true that rumination, that is, thinking about a past negative event over and over will bring back all the negative emotions of that event and impede psychological and spiritual growth and healing. But, PTSD is not a rumination in that manner. PTSD is a psychological illness that is beyond the person's control. Since it is beyond the person's control, it is not a sin in any way. You need to be in the care of a competent counselor or psychologist who has experience with PTSD caused by the sorts of abuse and expereinces you have had. This is very important. Healing is possible. The combination of professional help, along with the Sacraments of the Church, your forgiving your abusers, and liviing the Christ-life as best you can, can bring you healing. On the issue of forgiveness, we have a pamphlet that you ought to read called, Dealing with Bitterness and Unforgiveness. In fact, I think you ought to follow our Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. That should help with any spiritual issues. But, you absolutely must see a mental health practitioner to deal with the PTSD. It is a combination of the spiritual with the psychological treatment that can bring healing. We are praying for you. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Is PTSD a sin of rumination

Teresa

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Question:

I was told that rumination is a sin of bringing back events which cause stress. I did that returning back to church and the sacraments and I been having serious bots of PTSD.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Teresa:

I am sorry that you have been hurt and are suffering PTSD. We will pray for you.

It is true that rumination, that is, thinking about a past negative event over and over will bring back all the negative emotions of that event and impede psychological and spiritual growth and healing.

But, PTSD is not a rumination in that manner. PTSD is a psychological illness that is beyond the person's control. Since it is beyond the person's control, it is not a sin in any way.

You need to be in the care of a competent counselor or psychologist who has experience with PTSD caused by the sorts of abuse and expereinces you have had. This is very important.

Healing is possible. The combination of professional help, along with the Sacraments of the Church, your forgiving your abusers, and liviing the Christ-life as best you can, can bring you healing.

On the issue of forgiveness, we have a pamphlet that you ought to read called, Dealing with Bitterness and Unforgiveness.

In fact, I think you ought to follow our Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. That should help with any spiritual issues. But, you absolutely must see a mental health practitioner to deal with the PTSD. It is a combination of the spiritual with the psychological treatment that can bring healing.

We are praying for you.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum