View on Antidpressants

[Mishelly]

How can one have his mind focused on Christ, and not receive the peace that Christ promises to give? The peace is not coming from Christ, it is coming from that pill that one is taking.

My peace comes from Christ, the pill helps the chemicals in me brain to work

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Brother Bob,

You should know it is not man that heals those people, it is Christ. They need to look to Christ.

The world has convinced man that all oppression of the devil can be explained away by mental instability, by chemical imbalances; and that those no longer are God's department, one needs pills, one needs medical attention.

The world says homosexuality cannot be anything but a genetic disorder, 'You were born that way.' Hogwash.

Sin is not seen as sin anymore. People are coming to the point where everything can be controlled with pills. Doctors do not even know what those pills do to the brain, and yet people are deceived into taking them.

I read in Revelation the word 'sorcery', which is not speaking of witchcraft, but rather pharmaceutical; drugs. When one takes drugs that alter the mind and mental process, that one is practicing sorcery.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Sorcery=Pharmaceuticals????

And you get this from where?? And make it specific to "mind altering drugs, HOW???

 

[rbell]

The greek word for "sorcery" is "pharmakos"--from which we get "pharmacy", et al.

There were first-century folks who used drugs to acheive a "higher plane of existence" (See our LSD-trippers in the 1960's). So Scripture speaks out against doing this (which, of course, we already know).

The problem comes through inconsistent application comparing getting high with getting help... in addition, folks who condemn any pharmacological response to depression have no problem with heart medications and other stuff...also, we're taking one phrase..."perfect peace"...and coming up with a medical protocol based on that one phrase. Sure, "perfect peace" doesn't include a disclaimer for meds. But it doesn't include one for counseling either, so by that line of thinking, counseling is also wrong.

Should meds be our first response to all emotional health issues? Of course not. Is it over-prescribed? Certainly, by some doctors. Does it have value? Without question.

It's refreshing to see that the vast majority of folks have a healthy view of this subject.

 

[Charles Meadows]

SFIC,

Peace that passeth all understanding does not mean that one cannot experience sadness, even extreme sadness.

Consider the believer who loses a spouse or child or parent. The individual can absolutely have God's peace upon him/her during this trial and still feel the heaviness and sorrow. If you think that God promised to allow us to not suffer then you are wrong.

Besides, where in the Bible does it say that antidepressants are wrong? Chapter and verse please.

The Bible tells us to find peace in God and to trust God first. Posting verses which say that we should trust God alone does not preclude the use of medications. None of us would argue that placing trust in pills first and God second is sin. But for the believer whose heart is right with God it is not sin to take medication for treatment of symptoms. Antidepressants are an acceptable part of dealing with depression. And depression does exist. It is not an excuse term to justify self pity. It is merely a term to describe the tendency of some people to feel sadness for no apparent reason. It is something which can be conquered with God's help - just as with any other ailment. But it is real.

Again before assert that antidepressants are wrong I ask you again -chapter and verse please.

 

[mcdirector]

Is it ok to take a heart medication to keep the old ticker regulated,

Is it ok to take HRT so a menopausal woman doesn't rip her husband's eyes out,

Is it ok to take cholesteral medicine to keep the arteries clear,

Is it ok to take epilepsy meds in order to avoid a seisure,

Is it ok to take migraine relief meds in order to function during an attack,

. . .

but it's not ok to take depression meds for a chemical imbalance?

IMHO, it's ok to take the depression meds. Don't abuse them any more than you'd abuse any of the above. Use them as a tool to help you function as any of the above are used. And as with the above meds, anti-depression drugs may be a life-long treatment. May not either, but many drugs are continued over a long-haul.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Mishelly: //My peace comes from Christ, the pill
helps the chemicals in me brain to work//

Amen, Sister -- you are so RIGHT ON!!!

 

[Hope of Glory]

Not that I disagree, but how many psychiatrists check for a chemical imbalance (medical condition) before prescribing meds? An MD has to check for high blood pressure before prescribing meds, but a psychologist simply has to say, "Oh, you're depressed, here ya go!"

I think they have a purpose, but they are vastly misused, and much of that misuse stems from those who prescribe them.

 

[StraightAndNarrow]

Taking drugs for depression is not putting faith in Christ. As I pointed out before, Christ never once prescribed drugs for depression. He never called depression a chemical imbalance. Depression comes from oppression. Drugs do not get rid of demonic oppression, only Christ can do that.

Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.

I guess the modern Bibles change that and Isaiah 26:3 to

Ask God to send you to a psychiatrist and he will give you something to get rid of those voices that depress you.

and

You will make him happier if he takes antidepressants since he trusts that they are ok.

Why did you have surgery for your physical problems? Why didn't you just trust in God. He can heal.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Jesus said the sick need a physician. That was a physical ailment. Depression is far from a physical ailment.

People want to say 'I have a chemical imbalance.' Yeah? Compared to who? I bet that there is not many people in this world whose chemicals are the same. So, using that same logic, we can say we are all chemically imbalanced.

I like what Hope of Glory said. Many psychiatrists talk with you and prescribe anti-depressants because you are depressed without running tests.

 

[LeBuick]

I read in Revelation the word 'sorcery', which is not speaking of witchcraft, but rather pharmaceutical; drugs. When one takes drugs that alter the mind and mental process, that one is practicing sorcery.

Did pharmaceutical drugs exist during the time of John the Revelator?

 

[standingfirminChrist]

I often believed that the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not an apple tree as many have stated, but some kind of drug.

The Eagles said they wrote most of their songs when they were high on peyote, a form of opium.

That being said, the serpent told Eve on the day she ate of that tree, her mind would be fully opened to know all things, both good and evil.

Pharmaceuticals in John's time? Good question.

 

[Phillip]

Search google for antidepressant withdrawal and you will find tons of information. It isn't pretty. Most people that are put on antidepressants will never come off.

Patients on antidepressants should not stop them cold turkey - that is for sure. But they are not habit forming or euphoria-inducing the way narcotics or benzodiazepines are.

You are right that Christians should seek God's help first and foremost in all things, especially with issues of emotional well-being. And many people are put on antidepressants when what they really need is God's direction in their lives.

But there are those people, who despite a right relationship with God, battle with depression. For those individuals there is nothing wrong with trying antidepressants under the supervision of a physician with whom the person feels comfortable.

And I should add that I am a physician and I have personally seen thousands of patients on antidepressants. When used correctly they can greatly improve the quality of life.

It is always so refreshing to see your posts Dr. Meadows. I was hoping you would come by and provide a professional response. A doctor friend of mine who is known for his lack of giving prescriptions for pain meds and many other medications put it this way. Anti-depressants are a good medication to give when depression is diagnosed because they do NOT make a person "feel good". They make them feel "normal".

By the way, my dog has to take an anti-seizure medicine every single day or he might have seizures that could cause brain damage. The vet says he will likely live the rest of his life on it. It is a mild dosage of narcotic. Is it wrong for me to assume that my dog should stay on this medication? :laugh:

Thank The LORD that He has given us the brains and capability to make medications that can help people live more normal lives. This is TRULY a miracle in itself. :thumbs:

 

[Trotter]

Thank The LORD that He has given us the brains and capability to make medications that can help people live more normal lives. This is TRULY a miracle in itself.

Amen, and amen!

 

[DHK]

Amazing! No trust that God will keep you from an hour of temptation. Rely on pills instead of Christ.

Pills are a false hope.

This is a discussion for Baptist believers. The only requirement for being a Christian is salvation by faith in Christ. (Eph.2:8,9).
Questioning a person's salvation on the basis of whether he takes a prescribed pill or not is entirely out of order and has no place in this conversation.
Please carry on. The topic is an interesting one. Leave the personal attacks and innuendos out of the conversation. Thank you.
DHK

 

[standingfirminChrist]

DHK,

I am not questioning someones salvation when I say they are not trusting Christ to keep them. I am saying they are relying on the pills more than Christ. The Word of God plainly shows we are to trust God rather than man.

Linda just took a 'clinical depression' test online, and you would be shocked to know we both are 'clinically depressed' according to them. Loss of sleep, nightmares from time to time, weight gain, occasional sadness; etc.

Amazing, I reckon at least 90% of the world suffers from at least 2 or 3 of these symptoms and are therefore 'clinically depressed'. So, instead of pointing people to Christ, we are to point them to a doctor who will prescribe happy pills.

Amazing.

 

[Phillip]

No doubt

There is no doubt there is abuse of many drugs even by doctors who may over-prescribe without checking out the patient thoroughly. However, one of the reasons that some doctors will prescribe an anti-depressant without further tests is that the anti-depressant itself acts as a test.

If it improves the patient's level of depression, then obviously the medicine is doing its job. Anti-depressants are a relatively safe medication to prescribe to see if they work.

The only negative besides sleepiness is the rare case of a patient becoming suicidal. First, let's be clear-this is very rare.

Let me explain what is happening in this situation and I hope Dr. Meadows will correct me if I am wrong.

A person in clinical depression may be suicidal, but just not have the care or energy to do anything about it. Upon taking certain anti-depressants the patient becomes more active and the depression is not gone yet. That person, with more energy, just might go through with a suicide. Because of a few cases of this, anti-depressants have taken on a bad reputation in cases.

In reality, clinical depression is a definite disorder which needs to be corrected. Clinical depression has been found to be often related directly to seratonin levels in the brain; one of the chemicals that helps brain cells communicate to each other (keeping this extremely simplistic). Anti-depressants control these chemicals.

This is no different than me taking a Beta-Blocker for my high blood pressure. According to the discussion here I should have the faith no to have to take these.

Remember when a disciple asked Jesus who sinned because a man was sick and Jesus corrected him and indicated that he certainly didn't have to have sinned to be sick in our bodies racked with sin.

Now, let me be very clear here. I am highly in favor of a pastor discussing or helping a person through witnessing and Scripture. But, the person with clinical depression should definitely be seen by a professional in the field.

In the middle ages, it was thought that all mental illness was caused by demon possession. For this reason they were locked up and treated poorly. Today we find out that most mental illness has a physiological cause. This makes it easier to treat. Just as lithium helps a manic/depressant live a somewhat normal life anti-depressants do the same thing.

If we were to assume that all Christians were healed then we could advertise having Christians abord airline flights to guarantee that there would be no crashes. Everybody knows how ludicrus this is.

What makes us define or judge what is an illness that should be treated simply with prayer and one that must be treated with a beta-blocker?

 

[standingfirminChrist]

If it improves the patient's level of depression, then obviously the medicine is doing its job. Anti-depressants are a relatively safe medication to prescribe to see if they work.

The only negative besides sleepiness is the rare case of a patient becoming suicidal. First, let's be clear-this is very rare.

One suicide because of a prescribed drug is too many suicides. That should show the drug is not safe. Those who truly turn to Christ for strength during trials, who have truly placed their faith in Him, He said He would not cast them away; and the enemy will not pluck them out of His hand.

 

[James_Newman]

However, one of the reasons that some doctors will prescribe an anti-depressant without further tests is that the anti-depressant itself acts as a test.

Test for what?

 

[Trotter]

One suicide because of a prescribed drug is too many suicides.

Look at the hundreds of suicides that are brought about by untreated depression each year, and the thousands of lives saved by antidepressants bringing them back from attempting suicide. Trashing antidepressants, and allowing these people to die instead, is a better answer?

Most people who are suffering from depression don't try to take their lives. But many do. Most are not successful, for whatever reason... but damage is done. A woman I know attempted suicide by od'ing on Tylenol PM. The sleeping ingredient wasn't enough to do damage... by the acetominiphin cause major and permentant damage to her liver. Thankfully, she was found before the damage killed her. The father of one of my uncles killed himself by running the exhaust into the air conditioner vent in his bedroom. When my uncles walked in the house, he was almost killed by the carbon monoxide himself.

Neither of these were being treated for their depression. For him, it is too late. For her, the doctors were able to save her life and get her on some meds. She nows lives a mostly normal life (she will always have problems from the liver damage).

Those who truly turn to Christ for strength during trials, who have truly placed their faith in Him, He said He would not cast them away.

you said you weren't questioning anyone's salvation, but your next post... "who have truly placed their faith in Him..." says otherwise. I went thgough depression, and am a preacher. My faith lies solely with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and had for many years before it happened.