Is it considered a real medical illness requiring medical intervention? Or is it a spiritual failing/demonic possession?

I was under the impression that it was the former. Then, I saw these comments from Fr. Ripperger online:

“Cases of bipolar are in fact cases of demonic obsession. I have always, every time I’ve listened to the explanation or the diagnostic from modern psychologists about a, um, bipolar, I just like, well, send the guy to an exorcist. In other words, I’ve had phenomenally good success in actually using this blessing that the Church has in the old rite ritual — which drives out the demonic — on people who are bipolar. They actually get off their meds as a result of it. Which just affirms to me, and I think the explanation behind that is, it’s the fact that they’re usually doing something wrong to begin with, or something in their life has destabilized them emotionally or psychologically.”

This seems contrary to science and medicine. Maybe his words were misconstrued? Anyway, I'm wondering what the Catholic teaching is when it comes to mental illness, especially psychotic illnesses like bipolar and schizophrenia.

I'm finally trying to build up the courage to speak with a priest because I'm not sure yet, but I want to contemplate (carefully) returning. Experiences in the Church have given me a lot of anxiety, so I'll probably end up crying during the meeting, but I also want to say the right things.

Can I tell the priest that I'm a woman in a long-term committed relationship with another woman? Can I use the term "married" even though I know he wouldn't consider us married? Or should I use another term for it?

Can I express that I'm not comfortable yet saying I 100% want to come back?

I'm just really scared the priest will be upset with me the moment I bring up being in a same-sex relationship, especially if I use the term "married."

Can I tell him that I am actually completely terrified of the meeting? I mean, he'll probably be able to tell, but I don't know if it's better to verbalize it...

Any of you in relationships get people assuming you're mother and daughter even if there's no big age gap?

It's REALLY starting to wear on my self esteem. I'm 36, and my wife is 33. We got together when we were 24 and 21. This has happened multiple times.

Accompanied my wife to her doctor's appointment when I was in my 20s. Nurse walks in and introduces herself and then asks "and is this mom?" Wanted to die.

Another time, we went to the ER vet with our cat. We got the notes back (I keep vet notes), and the notes said "Owner was present with daughter."

One other time, I was making an appointment at the dentist for myself and the receptionist asked if my daughter needed one, too.

I mean, wtf. I sometimes still get carded for alcohol. Admittedly, my wife looks much younger than her age but STILL even if someone thought she was 25, I'm not old enough to have a child that age. It makes me wonder whether I actually look 50+ or something.

I don't have a family doctor, and I live in one of those areas without walk-in clinics. The only source of healthcare for me is the ER or Telehealth, which will be going away soon.

Problem? I have a constellation of symptoms. Telehealth doesn't do referrals, and the ER only deals with one issue at a time and nobody seems particularly keen on finding out what's wrong.

I got diagnosed with psoriasis in the ER yesterday after Telehealth said I needed to be seen in person. They never asked about joint pain or anything, and I didn't think it mattered because I didn't think it was linked to what I thought was a rash.

Then, I learned psoriatic arthritis is a thing. I've been dealing with this joint pain and chronic fatigue for years. Also had two episodes of episcleritis in my eye (which I did mention in the ER). Telehealth did run very basic bloodwork (CBC and electrolytes) a year ago, which came back normal except for low ferritin.

Beyond that, they said I probably just needed more sleep and probably have heavy periods (I feel like mine are average).

What else is there to do? If I had a family doctor, I could talk to them about this group of symptoms, but I don't..

36 female

5'2 and 112lbs

Hx. bipolar type II, low ferritin, have had 2 episodes of episcleritis and eczema around my eye in the past (no cause identified)

Meds: Seroquel, lamotrigine, sertraline

This spot at the base of my skull near the hairline first popped up approximately 3 weeks ago. At first, it itched BAD and sort of hurt. Now it just itches on and off. It was flat at first and now feels raised a bit. I haven't noticed any secretions or anything.

I first thought I might have burned myself with a hair curler, but it hasn't gone away. My wife thinks it looks a bit like ringworm. However, I don't have any other patches, and she has no symptoms (I know it's highly contagious if it is ringworm). I don't know where I would have gotten ringworm either. I do my own hair, and I have good hygiene.

I don't have a family doctor, and there is no urgent care or walk-in here. The only option is telehealth (they told me to see a doctor) or a LONG ER wait because there's zero chance this will be triaged as priority.

https://preview.redd.it/n9u1n53s8rzg1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee813a9f056c523f611c3fac06ceb3403364f7d5

I started watching The Art Life yesterday but didn't finish because I had work to do.

Towards the beginning, he's smearing some sort of super wet mud substance on his canvas. What is that?? I want to try using it in my own work. I don't think it's clay, right? It seems he used whatever it is in many of his pieces to create figures.

I've heard pretty much two takes on this from different Catholics. The first line of thinking is that God destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah because of gay people. The second is that it was destroyed because it was unwelcoming and didn't help the poor despite its riches.

Which of these is the "correct" understanding according to Catholicism? If it matters (maybe does?) I'm asking as a woman in an 11-year same-sex partnership who sometimes thinks of going to Church but always ends up being too afraid.

Don't get me wrong. I love his films as well as his visual art! I'm a surrealist writer, and I guess I'm just a bit sad he didn't leave behind a collection of poems. I've found one or two, but I would absolutely eat up a book of bizarre Lynch poems, fragments, etc.

Anyone else?

Necessary Background Info:

I'm a tenured professor at a French university. I teach English literature and creative writing, though. I understand French well but when it comes to speaking, I need to feel prepared and comfortable.

Usually, I hold things together very well. I have a catalogue of conversation topics, tones, and body language for the colleagues I interact with. I just sort of "pull" their folder out when interacting with them.

If I have to give a speech or anything in front of colleagues, I need to know ahead of time. That way, I can prepare.

It's different with students. I'm super comfortable. My students often leave comments on evaluations saying I'm non-judgmental, it's obvious I love my job, and I give great feedback. They comment on the warm atmosphere of my classes. I know I do well with students. It's probably because I still have a younger mentality despite being 36.

The Problem:

I've been feeling the mask slip lately. I was pushed into the role of department head. I think the stress is making it so that I can't mask the way I once did. None of my colleagues or admins know I'm on the spectrum although I think some suspect.

I had organized a visual art and surrealist poetry performance event at the university. It ended up being cancelled because our whole city lost power on the day of. Since we hadn't anticipated this and didn't have a plan B, the university decided to host our yearly coffee social in the art gallery instead. Our students are already gone for the summer, so no performances, just an unofficial "viewing."

I asked the dean ahead of time, "will I be asked to say anything?" He said no. Then, during the event, the vice-president asked me with 5 minutes notice to give my own speech after his. I said no, and he basically said I was the one behind the original event, so I had to say something.

I absolutely bombed. It was objectively bad. I could barely get my French out. I couldn't control my facial expressions and just looked to the side while speaking. I repeated myself like 3 times. I forgot the names of my students. I said "uh" 500 times, sweated, and finally just abruptly ended my speech with "enjoy" in English and went to hide behind someone.

The VP came to me after and said he felt bad having put me on the spot. YEA, YOU THINK?

I ended up leaving the event early so I could go lie on my back in my office.

Last night, I barely slept. I hate this.