Mental Illness in the Bible

Personality Disorders

In the book of Judges, Samson demonstrates the classic Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The prophet Hosea's wife, Gomer exhibited the traditional symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Depression

Some of the Bible's most prominent persons experienced severe depression. Among them were Jeremiah, Job, and David.

Post-traumatic Stress

The prophet Jeremiah witnessed the fall of Jerusalem. The book of Lamentation is a textbook on post-traumatic stress.

Bipolar

King Saul's ups and downs caused him to be viewed as unstable and temperamental at the time. Now we can see how he may have suffered with bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

Nestled in the book of Daniel is the account of King Nebuchadnezzar. He appears to have struggled through a prolonged period of schizophrenia.