[...]Moore to the Point – Is It Right for a Christian to Take Anti-Depressants?[...]…

There is certainly warrant for taking medication to counteract testable physiological problems. However, which testable physiological (or chemical) problem do antidepressants treat. I would respectfully ask if you’ve ever seen any antidepressant research that is not based entirely on theory.

With a thyroid problem, there is a test to determine whether or not a person’s thyroid is correctly functioning. Unless it has recently been found, all of my research has revealed that there are no such tests for so-called chemical imbalances.

Please don’t take offense at my comment, I just want to make sure we’re on the same page.

The counsel I gave was in the context of knowing of my congregate’s personal history and present. This is also a main point in Dr. Moore’s response to the Christian use of anti-depressants. Seek wise counsel from Christian friends and leaders and spend time with those who know and love you.

This woman is still very open to counsel. She is even more in love with Christ today than before. She is struggling with boughts of insecurity, but is growing in her new- found freedom in Christ.

Our church is excited to see her progress. So am I.

Let me clear up a misconception that seems to be circulating: anti-depressant medication does not “numb” anything or anyone, I don’t know where that came from or how anybody got that idea, but if your medication is numbing you then you are on the wrong medication. Antidepressants don’t work as an anesthetic, quite the opposite. The goal of medication is for the depressed person to regain functionality in daily life, and a lifting of negative thoughts, a renewal of interest in life, certainly not numbness. Antidepressants don’t make you “feel” any certain way.

It saddens me that people are still so hard on those who are trying so hard and still suffering, this is why depressed people suffer in silence and don’t seek treatment, because of the guilt and disapproval heaped on by others, most of whom have never experienced depression. It hurts to be invalidated, or worse blamed, for your suffering. Depression is real, I wish those of you who think it’s just complaining about normal ups and downs could know how it feels. Let’s try a little compassion.

It’s titled Released by Tina Thompson. Find it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Released-Tina-Thompson/dp/1607996537/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330558132&sr=8-3

Often those going through depression can’t manage a 300-page technical tome on causes, medical jargon, and psychological terms. I pray this could help someone to understand depression and overcome it as she has. The book is compact, and highly practical so if you’re going through it, the book itself isn’t overwhelming.

This personal perspective makes all the difference, as she can empathize and give insight as to thoughts of those that are dealing with depression and anxiety.

I am fully aware that not everyone has this kind of experience, and I am beyond grateful God showed His grace in such ways. That said, if there was some way I could photograph the difference in my thought patterns before and after the prescription, I would… just so those who are fortunate enough not to struggle could catch a glimpse of the difference between thoughts that defaulted to despair changing to thoughts containing a willingness to fight and glimmers of hope. It is incredibly difficult to fight a spiritual battle when every ounce of energy is required to shower or eat a meal.

“Going without food, for example, or sleep will change the way one thinks or feels dramatically”. True, but didn’t Jesus 40 day fast and temptation happen sans drugs? and he remained perfect. If Christ being formed in us is God’s goal then it is possible for us, and our goal and calling, to be famished and not fretful or irritated, to be tired to our bones and not blame our failings and sin on sleep depravity.

I think the readers comment on ‘clinical depression’ is telling. These are newly developed terms and conditions as constructed by man. Who is the final arbiter of what the exact definition is? It will surely change as the years go by anyway. And, among the elites who set the ultimate terms, is determined devoid of any god let alone the God.

For Christians it is helpful if not vital to use Biblical terms - God’s diagnosis - in helping each other. God prescribes the ‘treatment’ for fear, anxiety, sadness, pain, anger, grief, selfish amtition etc. Some if not many of these are sins that need repentance. If you’re looking for help with ‘clinical depression’, as this is man’s diagnosis you’ll have to go to man for help.

I am not opposed to drugs, but i appreciate the toothache analogy. Use drugs to help with the pain, but as a temporary aid in the ultimate goal of rooting out the bad tooth. Usually if not always this involves repentance of wrong thinking and belief. Bring compassion and sympathy, but not as the end of the matter. The heart is ultimately the issue, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”, et al. Our circumstances are not our master, they don’t determine a Christian’s response. This is evidenced by the widely varying responses to humans who go through the same tragic and terrible circumstances.

One man’s opinion, who believes “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”.

It is certainly commendable that you got your life back on track from whatever doldrums it was in through serious self-reflection.

But.

I think it’s important to understand that what you went through may not have been clinical depression. While a friend may have diagnosed you with the disorder, a clinical professional may not have. Consider that you recommend finding counsel from “spiritually mature Christian friends and leaders” in the same way that others would similarly recommend finding counsel from a reputable doctor.

The very fact that you wanted in some way to get your life back on track suggests that you may have been “depressed” but weren’t suffering from depression.

I certainly can’t speak to the details of your experience, but I would suggest being very, very careful in drawing parallels.

Please realize that the disinterest in life characteristically found in those suffering depression often results in suicide. By advocating a primary course of action — spiritual, medical, or otherwise — rather than seeking comprehensive diagnosis from experts, you are taking the responsibility for lives based on a specific situation you likely do not fully understand.

We are spiritual, emotional and physical beings and we need to treat all the parts of the body. I would no more counsel a Christian to stop taking their anti-depressants any more than I would to stop taking their blood pressure or diabetes medicine. Of course we must do what we can to bring healing in all areas of life including the requisite life style changes, counselling and deliverence where required, but when all is said and done, sometimes medication is required. God gave us doctors and medications for a reason.

I’ve had severe depression for years, and the distinctive symptoms mean it is clearly a biologically based depression. Thankfully, the latest round of medication seems to be helping.

I don’t think most people realise that severe depression is very dangerous and debilitating, and is very different to the depression many people often experience for a short time in response to grief. Christians who advise against medication for severe cases can be inadvertantly putting someone’s life in danger.

Responding to the person who has a shorter-term and less serious depression, that seems driven by psychology or circumstance, is a bit harder. The medication often helps, but counselling and time probably help the most.

The discussion of what we should expect from a ‘normal’ life is spot on. I’ve heard it said that the opposite of depression isn’t happiness, it’s vitality. I have a real difficulty seperating out what is the normal lonliness, sadness or anxiety versus more minor symptoms of depression. It’s quite clear its the depression when i lose all interest in everything, want to cry for no reason and spend most of my time staring blankely at the wall.

There’s also the problem of seperating out depression and walking away from God. The return of depression without fail temporarily destroys any sense of personal relationship, but on top of that i now realise i walked quite far away over the past year. Much of it is not within my control, but it’s hard to figure out what portion is my responsibility.

As a friend of mine once said to someone she counsels, “You’re in a 20 foot deep hole, and I only have a 10 foot long ladder.” Medicine can be a great aid in getting out of the hole and being able to see straight.

I serve a church in a rural community rampant with substance abuse. This context affects the perception of those living in our community and worshiping in our church. As pastor, I am also affected by this reality when counseling those seeking a pharmaceutical fix to any problem.

My recent counsel to a woman in our church on the issue of anti-depresants was not to pursue this avenue of treatment.

This counsel came because I knew her situation. She battles a past history of an abusive childhood and first marriage. However, the abusive life ended over 20 years ago. She is married to a wonderful loving husband. This her own confession. But she desires an instant end to her depression.

Anti-depressants are not intended to cure any problem. Yet they can be an aid in the healing process. Psychological and spiritual depression is the result of more factors than a chemical imbalance. Community influences are also a factor. A rural community struggling with many types of substance abuses convinces many who live in that community to seek a magic pill.

I totally agree with Dr. Moore’s response to this ethical dilemma among God’s people. The solution is never as simple as yes or no to medication. There are always other factors at play. But the goal is to become whole, not patched.

Turn to Christ. Not a temporary comfortable numbness.

That is a great and helpful point. It is easy to forget that our capacity for pain is part of our design. Numbing it could numb one of the means by which God causes us to yearn for Him.

I resolved not to take any medication, because I knew the source of my problem was spiritual and I felt that the only proper healing would have to be completely spiritual as well. I could share my entire story but that would be entirely too long. I do not condemn the use of medications for depression, but from my experience, I advise taking a time of prayer, fasting, and seeking God through His Word for spiritual guidance before taking medication. I also advise being very brutally honest with oneself concerning your personal spiritual condition. Treating physical and mental symptoms of a spiritual problem will only cause one to accept the condition rather than remedying it.

Again, I am not against medications. I simply advocate honesty with oneself and a thorough spiritual self-examination and also wise counsel from spiritually mature Christian friends and leaders as a primary course of action.