Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Illness?
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J
I am not against medication, but I have noticed there are SO many side effects from some of these drugs and some people get more symptoms than others.
I am always appalled by those pills commercials (you've seen em) where they spend half the commercial telling you all the possible side effects and they end it with, "and in severe cases, death may occur." "Oh wonderful!" I am thinking, "that really cheered me up!"
it seems like you have to have several medications just to stop the side effects from the first medication you were taking.
but no doubt about it, medications do save people's lives.
I am always appalled by those pills commercials (you've seen em) where they spend half the commercial telling you all the possible side effects and they end it with, "and in severe cases, death may occur." "Oh wonderful!" I am thinking, "that really cheered me up!"
it seems like you have to have several medications just to stop the side effects from the first medication you were taking.
but no doubt about it, medications do save people's lives.
My sister was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2002. She was on several medications for this disease. Unfortunately my sister did not take her medication. She also battled anorexia in
high school and refused treatment. I personally think she wouldn't take her meds bc of anorexia. If you don't eat then why would you take pills? Long story short.... In May 2011 her colon went toxic. She had emergency surgery to have it removed. The doctor said this was the result of not properly taking care of herself. The doctor said the next 30 days would be critical for her. On day 30 she died.
high school and refused treatment. I personally think she wouldn't take her meds bc of anorexia. If you don't eat then why would you take pills? Long story short.... In May 2011 her colon went toxic. She had emergency surgery to have it removed. The doctor said this was the result of not properly taking care of herself. The doctor said the next 30 days would be critical for her. On day 30 she died.
If you come onto a (Christian) forum and make such dubious fanatical comments, you must expect to be robustly challenged about them, if you don't want such a thing to happen then I suggest you don't post them!
As regards your age: it would make no difference what age anyone was, I would still robustly challenge such controversal comments!
My comments were robust, NOT rude!
I digress!
As regards your age: it would make no difference what age anyone was, I would still robustly challenge such controversal comments!
My comments were robust, NOT rude!
I digress!
J
i am bipolar and i was on meds for a while hated them , they changed who i was... my psych saw that never changed a thing... when i couldnt afford the meds i went off them for me the meds were no longer helping me but hurting me more than anything , but for me, i didnt find out till i got off
i am a firm believer meds are needed only short term, for the most part any long term meds are just to line the pockets of the drug companyes, pharmists, and docs!....
i am a firm believer meds are needed only short term, for the most part any long term meds are just to line the pockets of the drug companyes, pharmists, and docs!....
I know that meds are a contentious issue, and I am glad this thread has helped people open up about the good and the bad.
I firmly believe that meds helped me recoved from depression, but in the end, God was the one who helped me stay mentally healthy.
I also suffer from severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I have never been able to go a minute without serious chemo meds to help me. Without them, I literally cannot lift the cover off my bed, get up or dress myself or care for myself.
I hate the disease, as it has deformed my feet and hands. I had a bad reconstruction surgery and I have nerve pain in that foot. The drugs have horrible side effects, including damaging my liver, my stomach, raising my cholesterol, and blood pressure and one drug caused my asthma to be worse.
I have been prayed for and believed God for healing many times in the first 5 or 6 years. I had been a great believer in God healing, and yet I have never been healed.
Instead, God has changed and transformed me into a person I would not have been without such pain and suffering. I trust God in spite of the disease, and he has changed my character and even my personality into a more loving and caring person. I can reach out and help those who are hurting the way I am. I am on the inside track of pain and suffering, and when I speak to people, they understand that I am not being condescending, or in any way joking about the inner healing or spiritual healing that God has given me and can give to anyone who is hurting.
"When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Luke 11:29
"So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” John 4:48
We need to seek God first, and he will bless us with knowing him better. Better not to seek God for a miracle, but instead seek him as Lord and Saviour! And always remember, God is in control. That means he is the sovereign Lord, and what he decides to do with our lives is always right!
I firmly believe that meds helped me recoved from depression, but in the end, God was the one who helped me stay mentally healthy.
I also suffer from severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I have never been able to go a minute without serious chemo meds to help me. Without them, I literally cannot lift the cover off my bed, get up or dress myself or care for myself.
I hate the disease, as it has deformed my feet and hands. I had a bad reconstruction surgery and I have nerve pain in that foot. The drugs have horrible side effects, including damaging my liver, my stomach, raising my cholesterol, and blood pressure and one drug caused my asthma to be worse.
I have been prayed for and believed God for healing many times in the first 5 or 6 years. I had been a great believer in God healing, and yet I have never been healed.
Instead, God has changed and transformed me into a person I would not have been without such pain and suffering. I trust God in spite of the disease, and he has changed my character and even my personality into a more loving and caring person. I can reach out and help those who are hurting the way I am. I am on the inside track of pain and suffering, and when I speak to people, they understand that I am not being condescending, or in any way joking about the inner healing or spiritual healing that God has given me and can give to anyone who is hurting.
"When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Luke 11:29
"So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” John 4:48
We need to seek God first, and he will bless us with knowing him better. Better not to seek God for a miracle, but instead seek him as Lord and Saviour! And always remember, God is in control. That means he is the sovereign Lord, and what he decides to do with our lives is always right!
Hi Angela. I am sorry to hear about your Rheumatoid Arthritis. I started suffering from Arthritis last year. At the local hospital I was treated with laser and magnetotherapy which helped. I am taking medication, one which does not give me side effects.
I also wrap my wrists in stinging nettle leaves when I sleep, which I find helps. They stop stinging after a minute or so, and I think of the benefit. God has supplied me with a bounty of these healthy weeds on my property.
This life down here is but for a season. Our sight is set on Christ and the wonderful blessing of eternity with God. There will be no pain or crying.
I also wrap my wrists in stinging nettle leaves when I sleep, which I find helps. They stop stinging after a minute or so, and I think of the benefit. God has supplied me with a bounty of these healthy weeds on my property.
This life down here is but for a season. Our sight is set on Christ and the wonderful blessing of eternity with God. There will be no pain or crying.
John, what kind of arthritis were you diagnosed with? Rheumatoid and Osteo are totally different illnesses, not even connected. RA is a systemic disease that attacks not only the joints, but the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. The new med I am on is not working well, and while I can ignore the pain to a certain extent, I cannot stand not being able to remember my own name. 2.5 mg of prednisone clear the brain fog, but also leaves me with other side effects I cannot abide.
Then again, different people respond differently to medications and treatments, and there are also different severity of diseases. Had I been treated with the biologics from the beginning, I would not be as severe as I am now, studies have shown.
I am glad you have found some natural treatments for whatever kind of arthritis you have, but also be aware that placebo effect can be strong. In a study at our local teaching hospital, 52% of people in the control group for Remicade thought they had less pain and felt considerably better. Except the xrays of their hands at the beginning and end of the year showed considerable joint deterioration. So more than half the control group thought they were better, when in fact, they were not at all. That is the power of the mind! It is deceptive!
Then again, different people respond differently to medications and treatments, and there are also different severity of diseases. Had I been treated with the biologics from the beginning, I would not be as severe as I am now, studies have shown.
I am glad you have found some natural treatments for whatever kind of arthritis you have, but also be aware that placebo effect can be strong. In a study at our local teaching hospital, 52% of people in the control group for Remicade thought they had less pain and felt considerably better. Except the xrays of their hands at the beginning and end of the year showed considerable joint deterioration. So more than half the control group thought they were better, when in fact, they were not at all. That is the power of the mind! It is deceptive!
I didn't like this post, because this is so terrible! I am sorry for the loss of your sister, especially in a way that could have been helped! I just wish she had gotten the emotional support for her disease, and found out how much better she could live with the meds, than without.
You have my deepest sympathies!But what a classic story of people who think they are better off avoiding meds, because of side effects, and don't recognize the serious damage disease can do to the body, including death!
You have my deepest sympathies!But what a classic story of people who think they are better off avoiding meds, because of side effects, and don't recognize the serious damage disease can do to the body, including death!
I'm not so sure that's the reason her sister didn't take them.
I could be wrong but I think it was more along the lines of she wouldn't eat.. people with anorexia don't eat anything. Sometimes it's so bad the won't even drink that much water for fear they will gain weight. And in a lot of cases like this they won't take medicine because they fear even the medicine will make the gain weight.
My cousin is this way. She has medicine she has to take for her heart but now that she has anorexia she is afraid to take them all because she "doesn't wanna be fat" she knows she needs them but the fear from the anorexia just won't let her.
PS..I'm very sorry about your sister.. no one should have to go through that.
My heart goes out to you and anyone else who has been through this.
I could be wrong but I think it was more along the lines of she wouldn't eat.. people with anorexia don't eat anything. Sometimes it's so bad the won't even drink that much water for fear they will gain weight. And in a lot of cases like this they won't take medicine because they fear even the medicine will make the gain weight.
My cousin is this way. She has medicine she has to take for her heart but now that she has anorexia she is afraid to take them all because she "doesn't wanna be fat" she knows she needs them but the fear from the anorexia just won't let her.
PS..I'm very sorry about your sister.. no one should have to go through that.
My heart goes out to you and anyone else who has been through this.
S
My name is Stephanie, I'm 27 and new to your site. I suffer from several mental illnesses including depression, caused in part by my domestic situation battling verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. Medicine only helps me a little. I want to learn more about my Christian faith so that I may someday heal. If anyone would be willing to speak with me, I would be very appreciative of any feedback. Thanks.
Well, it's always good to know where to look for light, guidance and understanding. Psalm 119.105 says: 'Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path'.
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died at the Cross for sinners, is summed up in John 3.16:
'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life'.
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died at the Cross for sinners, is summed up in John 3.16:
'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life'.