Is psych medication taboo?

[oneofthem]

Hey.

Would taking medication for depression or a mental illness be considered taboo for a Christian? If so, is there anything in the scriptures that would support the taboo?

I'm considering going back on anti Ds after a few years off them, and although most people who knew were cool, every now and then i'd encounter someone who seemed to think it seperate or counter-productive to God healing me.

 

[tapero]

No, it is not taboo for Christian's to take medicine. God uses medicine in healing.

It is important for many who struggle with emotional issues that they take their medication.

By the way, Welcome to the Forums!

Take care,
In Christ's love,
Tapero

 

[tapero]

Please note this rule:
2.2 No Professional Counsel Allowed
You will not direct, imply, or suggest that others should follow your advice by implying/stating you are an authority or professional psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, physician, etc. This includes, but is not limited to advising others to disregard doctors' orders regarding medical diagnosis and/or treatment.

Also note that debate will not be tolerated nor bad medical advice.
Thank you.​

 

[tapero]

bump

 

[BelindaP]

It most certainly is not taboo. That's why God gave us the medications to begin with. I will give you my example:

I was severely neglected after birth. It was so bad that by the time was a year old, I had not learned to roll over yet. I was rescued at that point, but the damage had been doen.

I have never had a CAT scan done of my brain, but my research has shown me that there are brain changes that occur in severly neglected infants. These changes persist into adulthood. One of the problems these brain changes causes is severe depression.

I have suffered from depression for my entire life. If I were not on anti-depressant medication, I would have taken my life a long time ago. God promised that we would not be tested more than we could bear. I fervently believe that anti-depressants are His way of keeping that promise for me.

If you need them, then by all means take them. It can be life-changing.

 

[Bamboo_Chicken]

I know many, many wonderful Christians who take medication for mental illness and as others have said, it certainly isn't taboo . I truly think medications are something God has given us and there is nothing wrong with taking them as your doctor has prescribed .

I hope our answers help a little oneofthem .

 

[ConcreteAngel]

Taking anti-depressants for depression is just like a diabetic taking insulin....with depression there is an inbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain (eg serotonin, noradrenaline, norephindrine etc)...meds help to correct that....similar to how insulin works for diabetics...it's needed to correct an inbalance. Hope this helps.

 

[pockleberry]

There are always gonna be some christians who think taking antidepressants isn't right but in my experience it is because they don't understand that depression is a real illness, they get confused by the fact that it seems to be so based on emotions and feelings...

 

[.chrys.]

oneofthem,

In my experience, taking medication is in accordance with the Lord's will. Medically speaking, I suffer from low level chronic depression. Through psychiatric AND psychologic intervening, I learned the very real benefits of taking certain antidepressants.

A few years ago I had reached an all-time low for me. Medication brought me to a state of mind where I could think clearly and rationally. Cognitive behavioral therapy worked to "rewire" my thinking so that now, after 3 years of being "on" medication, I am doing well without them.

Often, depression is likened to diabetes. I liken my experience to a flu (or other temporary illness). I needed medication at a certain point; took it and got better; now, it's up to me to continue healthy habits to ward the sickness off.

There are days that I have to work harder at it than others. But so far (praise the Lord), returning to the medication isn't for me.

Each of our experiences is different. What works for me, may not work for you.

Blessings in the decisions you make!

~Witness

 

[phoenixgw]

Things have changed since the last time you took antidepressants. If that is the route you choose to take, make an informed decision.

My suggestion is that you type "antidepressant" into your search engine and research the latest meds. Doctors seldom tell their patients the addictive properties of the drugs they prescribe, the potential side effects, or the withdrawal symptoms. Taking these new drugs should be done with extreme care & with much prayer.

I went on effexor & it was a living hell. Now I take 5-HTP 300mg/day. It is available w/o a prescription. It raises my serotonin levels. I suffered from depression for 30 years and have been depression-free since Aug 29, 2006.

For me, depression was a symptom of a much bigger problem (check my posts). Still, it was nice to finally escape that "black hole" after 30 years. Only a depression sufferer can begin to appreciate the "gravity" of such a condition.

I will pray for you on your journey of faith.