ADHD and medication

Tionbai · Jan 14, 2022

Hi, guys

Is there anyone else here with ADHD? I would love to meet up with someone and talk about shared experiences and how you work out your commitment to Jesus, and also just live life.

I really struggle with some things, and ADHD is controversial because many say it's not a thing, so I question if I am just lazy a lot of the time, or just need more self-discipline. But from experience, I know that is not true, because I TRULY want to be better. It's hard when I hear pastors and Christians preach that it's "not an excuse to sin", and we can "all decide not to sin". Of course, I believe the Bible when it says that "Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13), yet when I don't take my medication and am not helped to stay accountable, my body just does things that I don't want to do. I know it might seem like a cop-out, but it just doesn't feel like I decide to do these things, I just end up doing them, and I hate it when I do and afterward.

Taking medication helps a lot. Like, A LOT. But I can't have peace about it because I am afraid taking medication is sinful and not trusting in God.

As Paul writes in Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

"Sorcery" is from Greek "pharmakeia", which is by Strong's definition:
G5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively):—sorcery, witchcraft.

Because of this, I am worried that medication is considered sorcery in God's eyes, and we shouldn't ever take medication/drugs.

Any thoughts on this?

God bless you all <3

Vesper_Jaye✝️ · Jan 14, 2022

Many of my siblings have ADHD, and they have improved by eating a certain way- no sugar, limited carbs, etc. One of my siblings is on medications for other reasons, but it is not a sin to take medication.

GreekOrthodox · Jan 14, 2022

Tionbai said:
Hi, guys

Is there anyone else here with ADHD? I would love to meet up with someone and talk about shared experiences and how you work out your commitment to Jesus, and also just live life.

"Sorcery" is from Greek "pharmakeia", which is by Strong's definition:
G5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively):—sorcery, witchcraft.

Because of this, I am worried that medication is considered sorcery in God's eyes, and we shouldn't ever take medication/drugs.

Pharmakeia? | Massachusetts Bible Society

So pharmakeia was potions, spells, prayers to the gods. Think witch doctor. Yet Greek physicians, although pagan, began to explore the value of diet and exercise on health.
Chest diseases: Take barley soup plus vinegar and honey to bring up phlegm.

We still use these remedies although it might be chicken soup, and two aspirin. In fact, people could chew the bark of a willow tree to reduce pain as the bark contain salicin. This is converted into salicylic acid, aka an ingredient of aspirin.

Luke was a physician and when he describes Peter's mother-in-law's fever, he uses a technical term. So he would have been a practicing doctor within the Christian community.

Torah Keeper · Jan 14, 2022

I have known a few people with ADHD. My cousin, and schoolmates. In my opinion ADHD is baloney. Giving medical advice is against the site rules. So this thread may get deleted.

Vigorous exercise will help you relax and concentrate. Too many children, boys especially, are made to sit still all day long. Of course they will be "hyperactive". They are athletic and need an outlet for that energy.

Try lifting weights, doing pushups, squats, and situps, then go for a run. All before you start school or work.

As for medication, again, against site rules. But I think you know my opinion.

Tionbai · Jan 14, 2022

GreekOrthodox said:
Pharmakeia? | Massachusetts Bible Society

So pharmakeia was potions, spells, prayers to the gods. Think witch doctor. Yet Greek physicians, although pagan, began to explore the value of diet and exercise on health.
Chest diseases: Take barley soup plus vinegar and honey to bring up phlegm.

We still use these remedies although it might be chicken soup, and two aspirin. In fact, people could chew the bark of a willow tree to reduce pain as the bark contain salicin. This is converted into salicylic acid, aka an ingredient of aspirin.

Luke was a physician and when he describes Peter's mother-in-law's fever, he uses a technical term. So he would have been a practicing doctor within the Christian community.

Hi, thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it.

I want to ask though, how do you know what is "medicine" in an appropriate format, and what is considered sorcery? Since all drugs derive from the same root word, and even pharmacies are called pharmacies... They are literally called drugs. You explain some differences, but I don't see the line.

2 Chronicles 16:12: In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.

Here Asa is criticized for seeking help from physicians over Yahweh, not even sorcerers.

And some ADHD medication is an amphetamine. So what is the difference between taking amphetamine as a drug or taking it as medication? Same with morphine and heroin, I guess, and plenty of other stuff. They are the same substance...

Tionbai · Jan 14, 2022

Torah Keeper said:
I have known a few people with ADHD. My cousin, and schoolmates. In my opinion ADHD is baloney. Giving medical advice is against the site rules. So this thread may get deleted.

Vigorous exercise will help you relax and concentrate. Too many children, boys especially, are made to sit still all day long. Of course they will be "hyperactive". They are athletic and need an outlet for that energy.

Try lifting weights, doing pushups, squats, and situps, then go for a run. All before you start school or work.

As for medication, again, against site rules. But I think you know my opinion.

Thank you for your response! That's good advice.

Why do you think ADHD is baloney? I want to know, as I'm insecure about it, but personally feel like it's not baloney. I am afraid that it is, and that I am doing wrong for accepting it. What about Aspergers and autism? Would you consider that baloney as well? And if not, what makes ADHD baloney and not that? They are all neurological disorders.

I exercised a lot and paid close attention to my diet etc., and it definitely helped a bunch. Really, I need to do those things very strictly. However, even with that in mind, just being inside my own body and my own head is so tiresome. Even if I work out and eat all made from scratch meals and whatnot, my mind is racing, I overthink, and I don't think in a linear fashion. It's like time makes no sense, and every moment feels like it will last forever, or I don't know when it will end.

I probably don't need to explain what ADHD feels like, but I would love to hear why you have your opinion.

God bless you. <3

Tionbai · Jan 14, 2022

Vesper_Jaye✝️ said:
Many of my siblings have ADHD, and they have improved by eating a certain way- no sugar, limited carbs, etc. One of my siblings is on medications for other reasons, but it is not a sin to take medication.

Hi, thank you for your response. I appreciate it a lot.

Thank you for writing that, yes, I have experienced that diet helps a whole lot. The medication also helps a lot, but I question it so frequently, I wish I could have peace about it. Same with the diet, I frequently question if I am just imagining it and that it's all placebo. So I will completely go off the wagon with my diet, and pay the penalty for it. It's so dumb, I don't know why I keep going round and about like this, but yeah... I wish I could have peace about it. Please pray for me if you will.

Thank you. God bless you. <3

Hazelelponi · Jan 14, 2022

Tionbai said:
Hi, guys

Is there anyone else here with ADHD? I would love to meet up with someone and talk about shared experiences and how you work out your commitment to Jesus, and also just live life.

I really struggle with some things, and ADHD is controversial because many say it's not a thing, so I question if I am just lazy a lot of the time, or just need more self-discipline. But from experience, I know that is not true, because I TRULY want to be better. It's hard when I hear pastors and Christians preach that it's "not an excuse to sin", and we can "all decide not to sin". Of course, I believe the Bible when it says that "Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13), yet when I don't take my medication and am not helped to stay accountable, my body just does things that I don't want to do. I know it might seem like a cop-out, but it just doesn't feel like I decide to do these things, I just end up doing them, and I hate it when I do and afterward.

Taking medication helps a lot. Like, A LOT. But I can't have peace about it because I am afraid taking medication is sinful and not trusting in God.

As Paul writes in Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

"Sorcery" is from Greek "pharmakeia", which is by Strong's definition:
G5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively):—sorcery, witchcraft.

Because of this, I am worried that medication is considered sorcery in God's eyes, and we shouldn't ever take medication/drugs.

Any thoughts on this?

God bless you all <3

My son has ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It's very very real.

It took us years of working with him just to get him to memorize the alphabet, he'd remember for 5 minutes but then couldn't repeat the alphabet 10 minutes later.

He couldn't learn like other children at all, spent his entire childhood needing one on one learning, and his hyperactivity is through the roof. His mind goes 1000 miles per hour even in his 30's.

He learned a little bit easier on medication, but the medication made him sluggish and tired all the time. We kept him on medication until he learned enough to get him through life, then he stopped taking it and just learned to deal with his ADHD.

Since it's a lifelong disability, it's best once out of school to live without meds as much as possible for the person, although sometimes even my son will go back on medication, especially to learn a new job if he has to change employers, but he tries not to have to change much because it's so difficult for him.

For you, medicine isn't bad. The medicine people take for various illnesses isn't at all what the Bible is talking about and even one of the Disciples of Christ was a physician.

So no worries, take the medicine how you need to and work out with your doctor's what is best for you given your own circumstances.

ADHD and medication

Tionbai

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Vesper_Jaye✝️

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GreekOrthodox

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Torah Keeper

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Tionbai

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