Do you think it's ok for Christians to take antidepressants? I was just wondering because I have to take these medications. I sometimes feel guilty, like if maybe I was a better Christian I wouldn't have to take them. Am I alone on this? Any input would be appreciated, thanks

You know, I have asked myself the same question.. If I was a better Christian then maybe I wouldn't have gotten hit by that car. If I was a better Christian I wouldn't have had to have a total hip replacement. If I was a better Christian I wouldn't have had to take medication for the pain. Or, If I was a better Christian would I have not gone through depression after a rape or post partum depression or after my husband chose drugs over us...

It wasn't until I really realized that things just happen to people. The word says that it "rains on the just and the unjust" ... If you are dealing with depression, sickness, or disease it's not because you are not a better Christian. The word does imply that certain things do happen as a result of sin. Example, if a person has sex out of marriage, they are going to reap the consequenses of STD's, setting themself up for emotional damage that could effect your future marriage.

God said in his word that He has wonderfully and beautifully made each of us and knew us in even in our mother's womb. God knows our struggles before we go through them. There is nothing wrong with taking a medication under the proper doctor and for the season you are going through depression. However, I really think that instead of allowing yourself to feel bad at times, you should replace that with the joy of the Lord and trusting him to lead you to the right doctor who will prescribe the right medication and will not allow you to become dependant on that medication for your source of sanity. God is your source to sanity and joy!

There are many stresses in life, and some that could lead to alot of problems, but God's in the problem solving business!! Heads up girl! You will get through this, just give it some time :)

~Hugs~

I totally agree. I have prayed so much about this and I know that the Lord wants me to stay on my meds.

I have bipolar type II (mild form) and was diagnosed last year. Since starting new medicine, I have improved in my outlook and I'm a more stable mother and wife.

My mother was bipolar. It used to be called manic depressive. My father was also mentally ill; he was said to be schizophrenic. Mental illness is genetic and hereditary and has to do with brain chemicals. Also, stress or trauma can bring on illness in those who are susceptible or those in which these problems run in the family.

Just as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, tendency toward strokes, etc., run in families, mental illness does too. It is nothing to be ashamed of. There is too much stigma attached to mental illness in the church. Of all places, the church should be a place of support and healing and restoration for those with mental illness. Instead, they pray for those who have cancer, etc., and never mention or pray for the people with eating disorders, depression, etc. On a Wednesday night Prayer Meeting, no one would feel comfortable piping up about a child being molested in their family. No one would probably pray. They'd gasp and gossip. It is sad that mental illness is so stigmatized.

I am not ashamed any longer to say these things.

I used to be ashamed that I was so depressed much of the time. Then I learned that as someone with the type II bipolar does stay in depression most of the time, with short periods of mild mania, called hypomania. The medicine helps stabilize me so that I do not get depressed to the same degree that I used to, and help keep me stable.

Anti-depressants are not wrong! Neither are mood stabilizers.

I too agree with Rizen and Dreamer, my wife takes them and is a wonderful Christian.

Be blessed,

NC

I agree with NC and the others. My husband is a councelor and has said that some have high blood pressure and take medicine so it is with medicine for mental health. And as it is for HB exercise can help in some cases, so for mental health. Same with diet and just plain taking good care of our selves. Some can have healing and no longer have to take meds., others continue for life. Neither makes one a better person in my opinion. There is no comparison. If we are Christ's then we are His. Be all that you can be IN Jesus. Be who He created you to be, but not what He created your neighbor to be...if you get my drift. :)

It angers me that there are self-appointed messiahs out there who, for whatever reason, take scriptures like Isaiah 53:4/Matthew 8:17 (He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."), twist them to fit their agenda, and go about looking for vulnerable believers to entrap.

Nowhere in Scripture are we told to not take any kind of lawfully prescribed medication for our illnesses, whatever those illnesses may be. I've been on Wellbutrin (anti-depressant) for several years.

SLE

Although mental illness is not always the result of stress/abuse, victimization can sometimes be a factor.

One of the effects of surviving any type of abuse, is that victims tend to internalize the pain, whether the abuse is short-term or long-term. More than any other age group, [b]children[b] are the victims of abuse, according to consistent statistics...I suppose because abusers tend to prey on children. This can result in a mental illness for that child/adult later on. Of course, mental illness is not always the result of abuse. Others are born with conditions. We must be understanding of those who need medication for whatever reason. To judge a person for that reason is wrong.

We cannot and will not ever be able to put ourselves in another person's shoes.

A person who is paralyzed in an unfortunate accident uses a wheelchair because of the physical damage from the accident.

A person who was (for example) sexually abused has effects too, although the effects of the mental trauma may not manifest outwardly in the body. These stresses and traumas have effects on people just as much as a car accident or cerebral palsy.

God designed us to live in a perfect world. It isn't a perfect world. It is tainted with sin, because of human sin. Evil and harm fall on the wicked and the righteous.

God gave scientific curiousity and expertise to some men and women so that they could find medicine for all kinds of ailments. Mental illness is one of those ailments.

Those are some good responses and I totally agree.
I was in a church a few years ago (14 years to be exact) that believed that the reason why my hip wouldn't just -ZAP- be healed by God was because of my faith factor. I was devestated and being a baby in Christianity, I believed that my faith was not strong enough to heal me. I felt like I couldn't grow in that church because noone felt I was good enough to do so. Someone just jokingly shared the story of how a woman's faithfulness was tested and that if she was unfaithful, her hip rotted. It made me feel very inferior... (and the fact that i had never slept with anyone but my husband so I was so confused)...

People are too harsh these days regarding thier opinions on what the word says, but I dont think that God told people to throw scriptures on others to bring them down. I believe he said to lift up your brother, to love them, and be a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.

If someone questions the scriptures, they need to do some serious thinking and studying about medicine used in the bible days. God and Jesus even state it clearly that there is a time when to use medication... here are some reference scriptures, and if you need someone to elaborate on them I can or someone else can. And I can bring up more if need be.

The good samaritan:
Luke 10:30-37

Internal medicine:
1 Timothy 5:23

Oil used for wounds:
Isaiah 1:6

God commands Hezekia to use medicine:
Isaiah 38:21

There are just a few that the bible recognizes medication being used. I dont feel like there is a difference between using an anti-depressant due to a lack of chemical in the brain to taking tylenol for a headache or even using a triple antibiotic for a freshly new wound.

People looked down on me for trying some forms of medication, but I dont think God looked down on me when asking in prayer to lead me to the right doctor who would use wisdom and really care about what he is doing.

On the flip side---If we are honest, some people do hide behind medication, and abuse its purpose. We thank God for providing medication to help, but we also need to recognize that HE is our source of happiness and contentment. It's sad that those who abuse the purpose of the medication give it a bad name for others who need it and those who need it get chastized.

I work in the medical research field. We use many different medications coming out to be FDA approved for the well being of people. We do extensive studies on subjects. I dont feel as if it is wrong. Yet-- I have been put down because of what I do.

There's my 2 cents, so on a lighter note, I am off to take my son to the doctor LOL ...
Hope everyone has a bright day!

Thanks you guys--ALL of you! This had made me feel much better, Much love and blessings to all of you!

Carrie Beth