what do you think about antidepressants

Don't worry I felt weird taking them at first too. I think there's a stigma attatched to any kind of 'mental' illness. It's like people can accept that the heart may not work to it's full capacity, your pancreas may not work to it's full capacity...heck even your skin may not work to it's full capacity...but heaven forbid your brain may not work to it's full capacity and suddenly you have some sort of deep seated 'root cause' that may or may not have some demonic influence and you better get it sorted out...like right now! Why can't we just be 'ill' like everyone else? If other parts of the body can sometimes not work properly, why doesn't it ever occur to anybody that our brains may be the same sometimes?

Always something sinister going on isn't there?

I had a Christian talk radio show last year and this subject was one of the hot topics we touched on. I had a number of callers call in to tell me their opinions on the matter and, much like this thread, the majority was overwhelmingly on the side of "take them if needed just don't become dependent on them".

I did have a few callers who believed taking the meds was sign of faithlessness in God's healing power but those folks quickly waffled on that when I brought up treatment for physical diseases.

I share all this because there is a stigma in Christiandom about mental illness, especially depression. I've battled with depression my entire life and I know many pastors who walk with it every single day. It is a very common malady that is too easily dismissed by far too many people as a lack of character or some kind of weakness.

The truth is the power of God IS able to heal us from all our diseases but the method of that healing is not always an instantaneous miracle like we read about in the Word. For every blind man and crippled man who was instantly healed, I believe there are millions of people who have been healed by more mundane (by our miracle-seeking standards) means by the same God who miraculously opened the blind eyes.

I could write a book on this subject as it is near and dear to my heart but I won't. If you care to read the blog I wrote in conjunction with the radio show last year you're more that welcome to. It may help you.

churchquake: Bitter Pills - Part Deux

I'm no longer doing the show so it's not a shameless plug.

Anyway as a long time depression sufferer and current Lexapro taker (who also held the position of pastor for 20 years) I'll tell you to follow your physician's instructions, try the medication but never take your eyes off the great physician.

ASW

Cassidy said:

Don't worry I felt weird taking them at first too. I think there's a stigma attatched to any kind of 'mental' illness. It's like people can accept that the heart may not work to it's full capacity, your pancreas may not work to it's full capacity...heck even your skin may not work to it's full capacity...but heaven forbid your brain may not work to it's full capacity and suddenly you have some sort of deep seated 'root cause' that may or may not have some demonic influence and you better get it sorted out...like right now! Why can't we just be 'ill' like everyone else? If other parts of the body can sometimes not work properly, why doesn't it ever occur to anybody that our brains may be the same sometimes?

Always something sinister going on isn't there?

Click to expand...

Anitdepressants saved my sister's life.

thaks for listening.

It's a medical condition. Quite simple. That's why they make pills for it. The pills contain things medically proven to eliminate the medical problem.


Depression is an affliction just like any other. No reason to feel any more or less guilt for taking antidepressants than any other medicine for any other condition.

My dear sister, you need to be aware that “Zoloft” has a potential of being abused, especially when taken with other drugs.

The medicos do claim that a physical Zoloft addiction is not possible. But, when Zoloft taking is discontinued, there can be a SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome that is a consequence of discontinuing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, and they may have some serious side effects, such as: Irritability; Agitation; Dizziness; Burning or tingling sensation; Anxiety; and Confusion.

As there has been some high occurrences of withdrawal symptom’s when using Zoloft, then rehabilitation may be necessary.

Even though some say that Zoloft isn’t addictive, it must be to certain degree because of the withdrawal syndrome that follows when you stop taking them.

Words are cheap in regards to addiction to any drug, as there are a people tend to disagree with what the medicos claims, especially by those who take it, because if there is a warning on the label to taper off of it and NOT to stop taking it without medical attention, is enough to say that they are addictive.

But, then again they many not be a true additiction, as many don't crave more and more, and don’t become obsessed for more Zoloft. It’s believed that it’s more of a reaction to the serotonin levels crashing. You don’t go off the drugs “cold turkey”, and require to be weened off them, which therefore indicates there is an addictiveness of the drug.

Blessings.

Strong in Him said:

Depression is an illness, and if the doctors feel that the best way to treat that illness is with anti-depressants, then that's how it is. Of course they may offer other therapies too - counselling, CBT, psychotherapy or whatever. Or maybe a combination of both is needed? I was advised that antidepressants would lift my mood, so that I was able to think more clearly and be in a frame of mind to consider counselling, looking at emotional problems or whatever.

Click to expand...

Strong in Him said:

But if the cause is biochemical, and the brain is not making enough of whatever it needs, then antidepressants alone may be the answer.
I found it slightly depressing that I needed them, and was embarrassed to admit it for a while, in case people told me to pull myself together/just trust God. But fortunately I go to a sane church where having depression is not seen as a sin, weakness or lack of faith.

Click to expand...

My dear sister, I don't think anyone would ever label a sufferer of depression as a SINNER, or expressing any WEAKNESS, or LACK OF FAITH. I would no doubt hug them and offer them help to bring them to their freedom in our Lord Jesus Christ, like many, many other believers who were set free from depression.

When it is found to be biochemical, then like all living organisms they show physical signs, when there is a deficiency or an overload of something within their body that has a “root cause” for the abnormality. We see this in plant life, such as fruit trees and vegetable as they show signs of ill health in their growth, the same as a human being, because of a lack of or too much of.

When a plant is working to perfection their pH level is normally 7, and the pH for a human being is exactly the same. When the pH level gets out of balance they can become alkaline (above 7) or acid (below 7). So by feeding the plant the necessary chemicals and minerals the normal pH is restored. (A swimming pool tab tester for the pH level of the water in the pool is a good one to test the pH level of our saliva. Put one you tongue and most would be amazed what their pH level is!)

So, when a human is out of balance they fill their void with drugs and those drugs can also cause further affect on the balance of a human's body causing their body to become alkaline or acid, and also killing to good bacteria of the gut, which produces a new pH level.

Most humans would be surprised to see the actual pH level of their body.

Now the other signs in plants are physical-environment stress, such as too hot or too cold; or too dry or too wet, which is overcomed by cover, and moisture. A bit like a human if you don't look after your body from the elements and keeping the fluid uptake, then your body begins to react, and ends up out of balance the same as a plant.

Then there is other means such as the “enemy’s attack” through mites, bugs, and all sorts of insects that “come to steal, destroy, and kill”. Do those words sound familiar? These enemies are eliminated by the good old one-two-three, good old bug destroyer from the “Gardener’s Bible”, they are cast out. But those insects if they stay there far too long can also cause a disease in the plant, and then you need the bug healer of good nurture, feeding, and producing good soil for that plant live in, and for the seeds to germinate in.

So, it's a bit like a human, when it's not bio-chemical, but our illness can also be due to the works of the enemy that can be overcomed and conquered through good old healing ministry, the best bug destroyer and ground renovation means available to the Body of Christ.

Blessings!

Elijah2 said:

My dear sister, I don't think anyone would ever label a sufferer of depression as a SINNER, or expressing any WEAKNESS, or LACK OF FAITH. I would no doubt hug them and offer them help to bring them to their freedom in our Lord Jesus Christ, like many, many other believers who were set free from depression.

Click to expand...

I'm sure you would, and I'm not accusing anyone here.

But I have heard Christians say that we "shouldn't" be depressed if we are trusting in God and his love for us. This is far too simplistic, and can make people feel that maybe if they had more faith, they wouldn't be sad, or whatever.

When Martin Luther was depressed his wife is supposed to have asked him when God died, because from the expression on his face he must surely be in mourning! Possibly she discerned that he was, in fact, feeling sorry for himself, because it worked. But we're told that the worst thing anyone can say to a depressed person is, "pull yourself together"; yet some Christians say just that, (only in slightly more spiritual language.)

Those who think of antidepressants as a "quick-fix" solution that merely covers the condition by eliminating symptoms are demonstrating their lack of knowledege and understanding of both the condition and the medication.

Depression is a serious, debillitating and life-threatening condition.

I think that bears repeating, because so many people deny that.
Depression is not just "feeling sad" for a few weeks. It can be a long, long struggle, with repeated episodes for some of us. It's more akin to bereavement than general sadness, but with the added distress of having "no good reason" and the guilt, self-blame and loss of hope can be extreme.

There is always a physical element to it, and antidepressants address that biochemical side. ANYTHING that relieves a little of the agony is to be welcomed.

You could argue that the brain chemistry reacts to stress and anxiety and winds up sick, or you could recognise that sometimes the brain malfunctions like any other organ, leading to a person finding it hardert than most to deal with the usual stresses of life. Which comes first in each individual - chicken or egg?

The fact is, the pills may help. The person will find some relief from symptoms, during which time they can learn other ways to combat stres and anxiety, maybe through counselling, certainly through deepening our walk with God, gentle exercise, good nutrition, and all kinds of other life-style adjustments if needed.