Questions tagged [psych-mentalhealth]
The psych-mentalhealth tag has no usage guidance.
87
questions
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
Does the Talmud talk about Autism?
BH
Does the Talmud Mention anything about Autism or the Spectrum of any of the symptoms of Autism?
- 7,723
0
votes
0
answers
19
views
Judaism on gaining confidence
What would Jewish sources say about confidence (not self confidence, more like social interaction confidence) and how one could gain it if they’re lacking in it
- 1,772
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
What does Judaism say about paranoia ticks?
If someone has a paranoia tick (for example they feel they must flip the light switch 3 times when turning it on or something bad will happen), what does Judaism say about this? Is anything like this ...
- 949
5
votes
1
answer
427
views
Taking ADHD medicine on Shabbos (ex: Adderall/ Ritalin)
Following on the heels of recent questions "Why restrict medicine on Shabbos?" & "Is clinical depression medication allowed on Shabbos?"
Is it permitted to take ADHD medicine such as Adderall/ ...
- 47.8k
2
votes
2
answers
89
views
Is there a mitzva to redeem a wealthy captive?
Suppose a wealthy man is taken captive, and the ransom set is an amount that he certainly can cover, but for whatever reason (perhaps mental illness) he chooses not to.
Is there still a mitzva to pay ...
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
173
views
Why did David’s harp playing relieve King Saul's illness?
David's harp playing brought relief to King Saul from his mental illness. (Source: I Samuel 16.)
Why did the harp playing provide relief?
- 7,202
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does prioritizing one's mental health supersede adherence to Torah commandments?
Does prioritizing one's mental health supersede adherence to Torah commandments until they have under control / recover from the intense mental health issues at hand?
For instance:
If attending ...
- 2,246
2
votes
1
answer
170
views
Are the rights which provide basis for assertiveness in line with Jewish philosophy?
A common feature of assertiveness training involves one internalizing an assertiveness "bill of rights". Below is a an example of a popular list of such rights from Manuel J. Smith:
I: You ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
3
answers
130
views
Does Judaism value selflessness?
Does Judaism value selflessness?
In particular,
Rambam in Shemoneh Perakim lists יתרון טוב הלבב as an extreme/negative character trait, and he defines this as someone who is giving to others at their ...
- 7,202
1
vote
4
answers
178
views
Free will of people with mental disorders
It is said that God cannot affect people's free will and that is why he does not manifest himself directly. However, what about psychiatric problems in this category? They somehow alter people's ...
- 7,202
0
votes
1
answer
113
views
If it is time for set prayer, and one can only either pray or exercise, what comes first?
If one only has the strength or will-power or interest to do one thing, which should it be: Pray (e.g., Shacharis, Mincha or Maariv) or exercise?
For instance, say one comes home from work late one ...
- 533
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Did Maimonides really refer to Muhammad (the Islamic prophet) as a false prophet and a madman?
Maimonides referred to Muhammad as a false prophet and an insane man. In his Epistle to Yemen he wrote "After Jesus arose the Madman who emulated his precursor Jesus, since he paved the way for ...
4
votes
4
answers
397
views
If one is mentally drained, should a person still daven? Even if that person cannot concentrate?
Is there any point at all in davening in such a situation?
- 3,090
0
votes
1
answer
153
views
Is one culpable for transgressing shabbos if he is having a mental breakdown
Over the years I've heard and seen people who were smoking on shabbos, but I noticed they were clearly having a mental breakdown. I would say maybe even outwardly displaying suicidal emotions.
Are ...
- 47.8k
0
votes
0
answers
106
views
Is it true that abortion is allowed if it endangers the mother's mental health?
I heard this and it makes no sense because then almost every mother would have the excuse to abort; What would the exact parameters of such mental health issues be?
- 2,049
0
votes
0
answers
90
views
Any suggestions as to how we could connect the various Neurodiverse Labels (ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Autism) to the Torah?
The website below lists the various challenges and struggles of people with the various neurodiverse labels as well as the struggles it also lists their qualities and their strengths and the various ...
- 117
1
vote
2
answers
169
views
Drunkness on Purim and Alcoholism
Are there any poskim that formally address alcoholism and Purim? Is there a formal pesak halakha saying if one is an alcoholic, they are not to get drunk.
- 8,762
2
votes
1
answer
169
views
Where do the severely depressed and mentally ill fit in within Judaism's view of the world?
Mental illness is a strange topic because I find it creates conflict with a lot of the beliefs I've been taught about sin and free will.
The vast majority of the world operates under their own choice. ...
- 10.7k
19
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How can you quit a habit of visiting inappropriate websites?
The Torah teaches that, if you're an unmarried man, watching pornography is harmful to your soul. See, for example, this article by Chabad rabbi Tzvi Freeman. (If you're married and need to watch ...
- 1,050
2
votes
1
answer
702
views
Halachic obligation to honor narcissistic mother and or father
What are the halachic obligations are to honor a mother or father that are a narcissist? An adult child may be trying to separate from emotional abuse and codependent relationship but this can often ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
546
views
What is meant by the ‘madness’ mentioned in Devarim 28:28?
Devarim 28:28:
‘Hashem will strike you with madness, blindness and dismay.’ (NJPS rendering)
What is meant by madness here? Is it recommended that one rely on the modern discipline of psychiatry and ...
- 30.1k
7
votes
2
answers
153
views
Is basing one’s self worth on his achievements a Jewish idea?
David Burns, one of the founders of CBT, refers to the belief that one’s worth is entirely based upon his achievements as “Achievement Addiction”, and notes that there are many disadvantages to this ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
5
answers
498
views
Jewish alternative to a Christian self-help book
I had a bad psychological trauma some time ago and I felt the urgent need to review myself. I found that reading self-help books helped me.
I tried to learn Mussar books (Mesillat yesharim, Chafetz ...
- 535
0
votes
0
answers
189
views
יהי רצון שיהיה לרפואה on optional pills
Many say יהי רצון שיהיה לרפואה before taking pills and other forms of medicine:
Flavorless medicine, such as pills that you swallow, do not require a blessing—but we do say a prayer that the medicine ...
- 570
3
votes
2
answers
430
views
Kavanah, Prayer and OCD
Shalom,
Well to start off, since a very young age I have suffered from quite severe and crushing OCD (as the title would suggest). Now of course I am used to having such a wicked condition interfere ...
- 30.1k
3
votes
1
answer
112
views
Are there sources that discuss the proper role of mood-altering substances?
I am curious if there are any sources (halachic or hashkafic) that discuss the use of mood or personality altering substances. From Caffeine or Chamomile tea all the way to psychiatric medication, ...
- 30.1k
3
votes
1
answer
91
views
What are usual Jewish practices and doctrine for addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco?
I live in a community where about a fourth to half of the population is Jewish and I have many friends here that all seem to have different outlooks about addictive substances. Particularly about ...
- 30.1k
2
votes
0
answers
143
views
How does halacha treat "psychological damage"? [duplicate]
Is "psychological damage" a notion that is accepted in Jewish law -- that is, the notion that, beyond physical harm, financial cost, loss of income, etc., there is damage to mental health?
...
- 73.7k
1
vote
0
answers
28
views
Inserting a prayer for someone with a mental illness in refueinu [duplicate]
The Mishna Brurah 116 s.k. 3 rules like the opinion that one may insert a prayer for the recovery of a sick person in the bracha of refaeinu during the Amidah (as opposed to the opinion that one must ...
- 6,477
3
votes
2
answers
589
views
When one is home alone, does the Torah discourage the eating of bizarre food mixtures?
Note: If you're going to be eating a meal soon, you might not want to read this question, and you (especially) might not want to click through to the "Secretive food concocting" Wikipedia article. Why?...
- 5,310
10
votes
6
answers
480
views
Why the Brain (Moach) as the source for thought is not mentioned in Torah?
Wherever the Torah refers to thinking and feelings of Anger, compassion, etc. it always mentions the Heart as the controlling organ (also Kidney) but NEVER the Brain?
(Even in the Gemara the Moach is ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
159
views
Do insane people have free choice?
We know that Hashem gives everyone free choice. But when examining the traits of an insane person, it is clear that someone can be so mentally ill that it is impossible for them to control what they ...
- 22.7k
1
vote
0
answers
62
views
How should one inflicted with DID (Dissociative identity disorder) pray? [duplicate]
I know someone with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder - a mental disorder characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states) and want to try to get her to pray.
But,...
- 21
7
votes
1
answer
466
views
Is someone who has clinical depression allowed to take an antidepressant on Shabbos?
It’s my understanding that there’s two main categories of non-life threatening illnesses: מיחוש בעלמא, “average pain,” and נפל למשכב, one who is so sick that he’s unable to get out of bed. The former ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
49
views
Healthy consequence of the Akeida?
Are there any comment in the Torah, the Mishna or the Gemara, that a post traumatic syndrome disorder was divinely avoided to both Abraham and Yitzhak in the aftermath and in the long run after the ...
- 73.7k
9
votes
1
answer
260
views
Do sociopaths/psychopaths lack "דעת" of Good and Evil?
As YeZ points out in this answer, "daat" is the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Do sociopaths and/or psychopaths lack the דעת of the distinction between good and evil?
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
413
views
Is it permitted to have an abortion if divorce if imminent?
I know that abortion is permissible if physical health of the mother could be compromised, but what about the emotional health of the mother (or the father for that matter) - if a couple sees divorce ...
- 49.1k
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Listening to music during year of aveilut
Is one allowed to listen to music during aveilut after the shloshim for therapeutic porpuses?
Is there any difference between the way ashkenazim and sephardim hold?
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
7
answers
664
views
How does one improve memory?
Does Judaism provide and tips, tricks or rituals for improving memory or preventing forgetfulness?
- 47.8k
3
votes
1
answer
119
views
What are the requirements for divorcing a brain-damaged woman?
What are the requirements of the Beth din for a man to divorce a women who is brain damaged?
If she has parents, can they go with her to the Beth Din to hear what is being said.
Who represents the ...
- 47.8k
0
votes
0
answers
127
views
Regretting a Mitzvah Anxiety
Are there sources for someone who constantly has anxiety about regretting his mitzvot? To better explain this, one who keeps doing mitzvot but has an anxiety that he regrets the mitzvot when he ...
- 49.1k
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is Transcendental Meditation kosher?
Transcendental Meditation is a popular form of meditation that, many practitioners claim, relieves psychological stress. Although it was founded an Indian guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, it is not at all ...
- 47.8k
3
votes
1
answer
220
views
OCD and Netilat Yadayim
If a person has OCD and tends to ritually wash their hands a thousand times because they feel they didn't do it right and they accidentally touch something wet in the sink after or have the worry they ...
- 73.7k
5
votes
2
answers
559
views
Demon Possession in Judaism
Some religions, particularly Christianity, have a concept in which demons or evil spirits can enter a person's body and take control of them.
Does Judaism have a concept similar or like this? The ...
CommunityBot
- 1
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is it permitted for a male to have a female therapist?
It is forbidden to be secluded with another woman (excluding a woman that it is permitted e.g. wife, mother, grandmother etc.). This is known as yichud.
It is permitted though, provided the area is ...
CommunityBot
- 1
7
votes
0
answers
187
views
What does Judaism have to say about ADHD?
I have been diagnosed with AD/HD. I have often struggled in school and social interations. Even relationships have often not been smooth for me. What sources does Judaism have about AD/HD or learning ...
- 73.7k
23
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does Down Syndrome make one a Shoteh?
I had a very strange experience and I would like to know what halacha thinks.
I was in shul on Shabbos, and an adult with Down Syndrome ripped by opening the box of tissues. I was not going to say ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Who is a Shoteh?
In modern day language, what is a Halachic Shoteh?
In other words, is someone who is schizophrenic, clinically depressed, OCD, etc. free from Mitzvos?
- 7,466
5
votes
1
answer
134
views
May someone say the prayer for the ill for someone who is emotionally "ill"?
Lo Aleinu. Let's say someone's friend's teen-age daughter died from a terrible sickness. The parents have been distraught and "disabled" for year because of the emotional trauma. They isolate ...
- 11.9k
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can a bully be forced to pay for psychologist visits?
When Reuven physically damages Shimon, he must pay for, among other things, the physical pain caused by his actions (tza’ar), the embarrassment caused by his actions (boshes), and reimbursement for ...
