As a Christian is it OK to take anti-depressants?

Question

Or am I lacking spiritually and that is why I get so mad sometimes?

Answer 1

Antidepressants don't treat mad they treat sad. Christianity has nothing to do with taking prescribed medications. Often prescribed medications are worse in the long run... be careful what you take, read up on them and their side-effects particularly when you are getting off of them.

I have seen people do okay on antidepressants then get worse than they ever were when they got off of them, I've also seen people develop seizure disorders from abruptly stopping their medications. I have also seen people take them and do well.

90 % of people who are given meds, don't really need them. Depression may be due to stress, vitamin deficiencies/poor diet, lack of exercise and low levels of sunlight.

Use medications only as a last resort, and be conservative, start with low dosages and don't let them start you off with the heavy duty antidepressants. In other words try Lithium before Prozac, etc

Answer 2

If you have a true chemical imbalance, then of course there's nothing wrong with taking them. I would discuss it with a doctor you trust.

On the other hand, you need to do some soul searching and figure out *why* you're depressed. If it's not due to a chemical imbalance, but it is a depression due to your circumstances, then perhaps some sort of counseling would be more beneficial - counseling that would help you change your mindset and behavior in how you deal with failure, disappointment, and other life circumstances. You mention getting mad. Are you sure you don't have an anger control problem, rather than a depression problem? Again, counseling could help you.

I think sometimes drug companies AND some doctors (due to the perks they receive from the drug pushers) shove these meds on people who don't necessarily need them. You can pop a pill for everything these days. I even read somewhere that there's a new pill for teenage rebellion syndrome. I mean, come on! A pill isn't going to cure that - it's just a phase most teenagers go through.

The point is, make sure you truly need them before you decide to take them. And, if you do truly need them, then you have no reason to feel guilty or to feel that your faith is lacking. My pastor has a chemical imbalance, and he takes them!

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
As a Christian is it OK to take anti-depressants?
Or am I lacking spiritually and that is why I get so mad sometimes?

Answer 4

If you need anti-depressants then it is no sin to get the help that you need. If you have a headache will you not take something for your pain. The only thing you should not do is take something when you don't need it. I am glad that due to the fact of having better medicine and taking better care of myself that i have been able to stop taking some medicine yet grateful for those medications that i must take. I started having panic attacks and tried to stop taking pills for this but i am unable to . You do what you have to do. I take drugs that i know that seem to be safe for me but some i can not take because of the way they affect me. We all have different body chemistry. Let you and your doctor decide what is right for you to take!!!!!

Answer 5

Yes it is. We still have the flesh bodies and sometimes they get out of whack; just like a headache. I understand why you would ask, and some Christians will tell you you shouldn't need them, but I disagree. Life for now can be really tough and sometimes tougher for a Christian. A person should'nt mess with depression; do what needs to be done.

Answer 6

I'm a Christian, and I was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder when I was just a child. They offered all sorts of medications to me, some of which I took, but they all left me feeling medicated. The insignificant changes in my personality didn't warrant the side-effects of the drugs...but, this is simply my take on medication itself. If the drugs help you and your state-of-mind, please don't consider yourself less of a Christian for taking them.

God won't mind. They're a far better alternative in His eyes than not taking the medication and having depressed (or possibly suicidal) thoughts. And all Christians know that suicide is never a logical solution to any problem.

Answer 7

Of course it is okay - sometimes it is a spiritual problem, but sometimes some people have medical problems and need to take anti-depressants. Go to a doctor first though, lol. Lacking spiritually, maybe, I can't judge, but we can always work on improving our spirituality. We can also ask God to heal us - God can work with medicine too!

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants. God loves us and wants us to be happy. Depression is a chemical imbalance, think of it like diabetes. Do you think God would expect you to take insulin to control an imbalance of blood sugar? You wouldn't expect your spirituality or devotion to cure diabetes would you? Of course not, God has told us to take care of our bodies, they are a temple to him. Which means taking medication when we need it. God gave the doctors the knowledge to find what caused depression and medications to treat it. Depression is not a weakness, it's an imbalance in chemicals, it is not a testament to your faith or spirituality.

So, take your medication the same you would for any other illness or disease. Remember God gave you a brain to seek help when you need assistance caring for yourself as well. God is good, he doesn't want you to suffer from depression!

Depression can strike anyone, it is not a matter of faith or spirituality. I believe God works hand and hand with our doctors.

Here is a link of what Rev. Billy Graham said on this very subject.
http://www.billygraham.org/MyAnswer_Article.asp?ArticleID=1735
Depression, can be caused by many different things—and the first step in dealing with it is to find out the specific cause. Only then can it be treated properly.

For example, depression (I'm told) is often caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain—and when that is the case, it often can be corrected with proper medication. If your doctor believes this is the reason for your problem, I would encourage you to heed his advice. God gave doctors and their medical knowledge to us; one of the Apostle Paul's closest companions was Luke, whom he called "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14, KJV).

Yes, God can intervene and heal in some instances—and certainly we should come to Him in prayer whatever we face, including a physical or emotional problem. The Bible tells us to "pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

But this doesn't mean we shouldn't seek medical advice when we are sick. If I broke my arm, I'd get the best medical treatment possible—and the same is true if I had an emotional problem. God loves you, and He wants you to get better. Let the Psalmist's words encourage you: "Though you have made me see troubles ... from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up" (Psalm 71:20).

Answer 9

I don't see why not. However, if you decide that you do not want to take drugs, you can continue to pray about it and ask God which way you should go. We sometimes do not exercise the power that God has given us through Jesus Christ.

I am taking a hypertensive drug but fighting against taking cholesterol drugs because I think some side effects do more harm than good. Risks outweigh the benefits. So I am praying about that and trying to do my part in avoiding the fatty foods, eating oatmeal and exercising more.

Answer 10

It is ok for Christians to take anti-depressants. It's okay if your doctor prescribes them, you're taking them correctly and it works for you.