Fellow Christians, what are your views on anti-depressants?

Answer 1

There is nothing in Scripture that speaks against Zoloft, Zanax, et al, but that is only part of the problem. Dealign with the mind's chemicals is one thing, dealing with the thoughts that are coming because of those chemicals is another.
Seek a counselor, and if you are near a good church, you may wish to make it a pastoral counselor. Even moreso if you are a member of that church.
If you are feeling what you are because of the thoughts of the rest of the world around you, then get into reading the Bible more. Read it with an open mind, asking what it says, not having an opinion and seeing ways it will support that opinion, because so may people seem to do that...find a way to support negativity by reading passages that may not have been written that way.

Read some of the wonderful books of Meditation, do the Purpose-Driven Life 40 day bit, and journal.

I am one who did overcome, and what I have just advised is part of what I had to do...I have been off the meds for several years now because I could think more clearly, and prayed harder, and am so much stronger in the word than ever. But, yes, using the drugs to help get you into the spot where you may be able to work on things, by reading, by truly learnign to cope, to deal, and above all, to accept, helped.

Look for support groups-12 step groups if you need-like Emotions Anonymous or Codependents Anonymous. or other support programs. They also helped me tremendously. But, getting deeper into my spirituality helped me mosre than anything.

Answer 2

wow, lucid-what a timely question! last night i spent a little time thinking and praying about depression...back when i was in the army, i was 'diagnosed' with depression...i WAS prescribed anti-depressants but i only took them for a few days-i didn't like the way they made me feel. there was absolutely NO followup from the army medical establishment (no surprise there), and i never took them again.
a few years after i got out i was slightly injured in a workplace accident and had rather severe nightmares afterwards. the nightmares got worse and worse, and i went to see a therapist, who confirmed the diagnosis. her solution to the immediate problem? sleeping pills, just for a few nights, to break the nightmare 'cycle'...instead, i got 'faced' on beer and bourbon, slept for about a day and a half...then a long run and a hot shower. that was the end of the nightmares. as for the depression? it's not a constant thing with me-i've learned to recognize when a 'cycle' is coming on, and i pray, get plenty of sleep, hug the kids a lot, read, and play my guitar as if my life depends on it. that has, so far, done the trick-for me. as for other people, i cannot with a clear conscience recommend this method, as it may not work at all for someone else; but i see no reason why they should not, after a full medical and psychological workup, try anti-depressant medication.
i hope this helps!

Answer 3

Anti-depressants can serve a valuable function in restoring a person's mental well being when that person has a chemical imbalance that the medicine corrects. Additional counseling is usually indicated because there is a process of mental healing that usually has to take place where a depressed person can rebuild their confidence and begin to take on the burdens of day to day life to a greater extent.

Anti-depressants are of no use when a person's depression comes from circumstances in their life that need to be addressed with no internal chemical cause for those circumstances.

Answer 4

They are just drugs that can be helpful or not depending on what is wrong. There is nothing intrinsically wrong or right with them. However, if you really need them they can save your life. My problem is not with these drugs but the culture that says if people feel depressed give them drugs. Most times it is not a clinical illness but life that leaves people depressed and for that the only 'cure' is to understand yourself better and learn to deal with who you are. Drugs may assist temporarily but only that. Faith can help at these times, belief in self and others can also assist but mainly talking things through is the best help.

Answer 5

well I'm a fellow christian, but I see nothing wrong with medicine. Why not use the plants God gave us to help us? It's always good to do both, not ONLY medicine, but also prayer. However there are some side affects to anti depressants, such as fainting, hallucination, vomitting. Just see what you're most sensitive to

Answer 6

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. ( Romans 14 )

I love the word of God like this, it divides and establishes lines that are made out of love and wisdom. To those who take the things prescribed which might be good for them, love them. I wouldn't want to raise the question with them, but prayer is always good for those who find things out of their control. Both sides find things out of their control.

I know a using alcoholic who takes anti-depressants, her problem blazingly loud. Yet she knows it. And in case she doesn't remember, she has reminders. She is left to her decisions, and the road to recovery is hoped for because I know that God changes people.

Answer 7

if you really need them, take them...but use limits....if you can.

some depression is caused by spiritual forces which obviously then affect physiology....you cannot really deal with the attack until you get off the meds because you have been dulled.....

if the depression is really chemical in origin, then stay on still as short a time as you can, until you stabilize, and then quit............they dull the brain and dry up your body.....
........

Answer 8

Seen the success of the antidepressants, you would say there is a new religion forming.

Answer 9

Not good at all,just stay calm and cool, take paper and pen and scribbling as much as you can, take a big towel and cry as much as you would when some one dies.

Say prayers, fight with your God, ask for answers and signs, and
start trusting yourself.

Answer 10

I take them every day