christians and antidepressants

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Permalink Reply by Moomins on February 4, 2008 at 7:12am

I believe that us human beings live with four basic dimensions, body, mind,heart and spirit. When we neglect any of these areas we do not function at our full potential.

BODY: We treat medical conditions in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
MIND: We read/watch tv etc, keeps the old grey matter going.
HEART: We have relationships with others, serving others brings us joy.
SPIRIT: We search for our basic need and meaning, we find our source in God.

When any areas of these are neglected, we do tend to become 'down'. If left unrecognised or you just 'forget', thats when we can slip into the pit of depression.

Finding the root of depression is also essential.

How long have you felt like this?
Have you had a trauma?
Any life changing events, even small ones?
Any past events that could be causing you to feel this way?

There are a multitude of social factors that can being on depression.

There are also various medical conditions that can cause depression.

One for example, the human brain may not produce enough of a certain hormone or it may have difficulty absorbing the hormone. Once this is detected, drugs can be administered to resolve the problem.

Where ever the depression stems from, be it medical/social or both, it is completely treatable, sometimes cureable. So finding out where it comes from would be the first step to take.

Please speak to someone about this, preferably a christian. Come into the womens group and discuss it, im sure there are plenty of us with experience in this topic!!

God gave man the knowledge to treat medical conditions, he also gave man the capacity to listen, understand and help.

Im not sure, you may feel far from God just now or you may feel he is not listening.

Whatever you feel, I personally do not feel that depression means you have little or no faith in The Lord. I do believe he knows whats best for you, he knows your heart, he knows your needs.

Hang on in there girl

praying for you

moomins
xxx

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Permalink Reply by angie on February 4, 2008 at 7:24am

moomins
thank you so much for your reply. I do have a a bad childhood past that i think contributes to this but also i think hormones plays a big role in this whole thing i just wish i didnt have to take this medicine to feel normal and i feel like im letting God down (sounds like pride huh?) i really dont have anyone i can talk to about this ,there were a couple of christian friends who i did talk to about it but they thought i should not take the medicine im just so confused and i really want to know what to do. I stoped going to church because i feel like people judge me. (some people) and now i feel like im drifting away from God

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Permalink Reply by ken on February 12, 2008 at 11:29am

I have struggled with this as I've been taking anti-depressants for many years. I've prayed on this and now truly believe that I am helping myself by doing so. I do not believe that there is any one thing that I am depressed about, I believe that there are chemical imbalances that I can not change without the use of the medicine. I currently take Zoloft, but have previously taken others but have changed either due to side-effects or lack of productivity. I believe that the medicine helps me to correct things which I can not do so naturally, which allows me to lead a happier and more fulfilled life through prayer and study. Without it, I can not say that I would be able to avoid depression issues that could ultimately lead me to stray from my path.

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Permalink Reply by Bob B on February 14, 2008 at 12:52pm

I truely believe it is out of God's mercy and love for humanity that he has allowed the wisdom to begiven so that medicine could be discovered. I have a neurolomuscular disorder that causes me to bein chronic pain. I take 3 different pain meds every day to survive. It doesn't mean that I still don't believe that God can heal me. If I take meds or not does not change my confidence in God. When or if he chooses to heal me then I wont need the medication.

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Permalink Reply by angie on February 14, 2008 at 6:40pm

thank for your post and your encouraging words God bless you Bob! In Christ Angie

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan McLatchie on February 12, 2008 at 11:39am

Hey Angie!

I am copying the following comments from http://www.gotquestions.org - I felt it dealt with your question nicely.

Question: "Should a Christian take anti-depressants or other mental health medicines?"

Answer: Panic attacks, anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression affect millions of people. Panic attacks can be particularly debilitating, as they can strike a person with no warning. For most sufferers, what they experience is rooted in fear: fear of rejections, fear of acceptance, fear of responsibility, fear of the unknown. Something will trigger fear, which drives the person to feel like they are losing control, and feel as if they might die. Panic attacks are often both physically and psychologically intense.

Although medical experts cite that many times the above mentioned ailments originate from within a person's psyche, there are times in which a chemical imbalance is the cause. If this is the case, medication is prescribed to help counter this imbalance, which in turn treats the symptoms of the psychological ailment. Is this a sin? No. God has allowed man to grow in his knowledge of medicine, which God uses in the healing process. Does God need man-made medicine in order to heal? Of course not! God has chosen to allow the practice of medicine progress, and we would be foolish not to avail ourselves of it.

However, I believe that there is a fine line between using medicine for healing purposes and simple-minded reliance upon medicine for daily living. We need to recognize God as the Great Physician, and that He alone holds the power to truly heal (John 4:14). As such, we need to look to God first and foremost for our healing. Medicine used to treat a case of panic attack should only be used to the extent that it allows the sufferer to deal with the root cause of fear. It should be used to give back control to the sufferer. However, many sufferers take medicine in order to avoid dealing with the true cause of their ailment; this would be denying responsibility, denying God's healing, and possibly denying others the freedom of forgiveness or closure to some past event that could be contributing to the ailment. This, then, does become sin.

By taking medicine on a limited basis in order to treat the symptoms, then relying upon the Word of God to enact transformation in one's heart and mind, gradually the need for the medicine will diminish. The believer's position in Christ is affirmed and God is allowed to bring healing into those troubled areas of the heart and mind causing the ailment. God's Word has much to say on fear and its place in a believer's life. Read through the following Scriptures, and allow God's Word to come alive in your heart. These verses give confidence, and illuminate the Truth behind what being a child of God entails: Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 6:34; John 8:32; Romans 8:28-39; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:4-9; Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 1:9; 4:18-19. Meditate on these.

God can heal supernaturally, miraculously. Pray to that end. God also heals through medicine and doctors. Pray to that end as well. Regardless of which direction God takes, it's our faith that is the catalyst (Matthew 9:22). Believe on Him, and be healed!

Hope you find this information of use! If I can be of any further help regarding this (or indeed other) issues, just give us a shout! :-)

God bless!

Jonathan

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on February 12, 2008 at 4:21pm

Jonathan; I appreciate what you have to say; however, like other illness, such as diabetes, heart problems, thyroid disorders, and other health issues. Do you think they should not take their medication, because God has the power to heal them? No of course not. In depression and other mental disorders; it is due to lack of certain chemical and neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore supplement of these missing elements placing the body back in balance. Quite the same way a diabetic needs to supplement with insulin, because he does not create enough. I know there is great stigma with mental disorders, and many christians believe that it is an affliction of sin. But that is simply not true. Dealing with a family member or self is very challanging when you are aflicted with mental disorders.
I do agree that some people do have mental disorders related to past hurts or abuse. But should they be made to feel wrong for seeking treatment. What if the person that wronged them is no longer living? Yes I believe they need to seek help from God. But I do not believe they live in sin. For if they are seeking God's help; God will not forsake them.
I am a critical care nurse for past 15 years; and have had to deal with many patients with mental disorders. No it is not easy; but I cannot judge them or hold them accountable for their illness.
I know you are trying to give the best info. I just think allot of people do not understand what true mental illness is. Taking care of these kind of patients has been extemely challanging; and I need all of God's help, to help them. I feel responsible for treating all my patients with love and kindness. As if they where Jesus laying their sick, I would tend to him with great love and empathy.

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Permalink Reply by Moomins on February 13, 2008 at 10:22am

lynnie, i appreciate what you are trying to say. Depression can be treated by counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and yes also with help from The Lord, which can help ease symptoms, however people with depression do have a chemical/hormonal imbalance, which does need medication. There are no demons and there is certainly no shame in having to medicate for a medical condition, whatever it may be. Gods love is very good, thats why he gave us medicine.

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Permalink Reply by Lynnie on February 13, 2008 at 11:30am

I agree Moomins. I cant relate to everyone in that area of depression. Some do need them.

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Permalink Reply by Janet on February 13, 2008 at 11:37am

May I ask what you mean there are no demons?

Thank you and God bless.

Sister Janet

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Permalink Reply by Moomins on February 13, 2008 at 12:10pm

Janet, if you think back thousands of years, medical technology was nowhere advanced as it is today. When anyone was affected by mental illness thier friends, family etc thought they were somehow possessed. These thoughts by others were only brought about because of lack of knowledge, they did not understand mental illness. Anyone who suffered from mental illness was stigmatised or even worse.
If you fast forward to nowadays when medical technology is so advanced, we know that mental illness is not 'demons' as such. It is more or less a hormonal deficency.
The 'demon' thoughts and negativity that come with depression disappear when medication is sucessfull and the hormonal imbalance is balanced out.

low hormone = low mood = negativity

raised hormone = raised mood = positivity

I also feel God does play a part in our wellbeing, he does not want for us to be down. Having a good spiritual life will aid recovery too.

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Permalink Reply by Janet on February 13, 2008 at 12:15pm

Thank you Moomins for your reply. Please allow me to do some research and prayer about this issue. and I will get back to you with what I found. God bless you!

Sis Janet.

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