With the influx of mental health issues in our communities, there seems to be growing concern and divide as to whether or not Christians should take medication for mental illness like depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.
Why Are Some Christians Against Medication?
Position 1: Taking medication represents a foundational lack of faith in Christ’s redeeming power
This view posits that only through prayer, obedience, and faith can mental or emotional deficiencies be remedied. If the problem persists, simply memorize more scripture, have more faith, and pray more often.
Position 2: Mental Illness Is Purely A Spiritual Issue
This position renders mental illness exclusively spiritual, our physical nature is completely ignored. Therefore, mental illness must be a result of personal sin or disobedience that can only be remedied by turning from sin, repenting of our inequities, and demonstrating more faith through appropriate Bible memorization and prayer. In other words, if the origin of mental illness is exclusively spiritual, the antidote must also be exclusively spiritual.
Position 3: Fear of becoming addicted or overly dependent on medication instead of on God
This position fears that an unhealthy dependency or addiction will result once psychoactive drugs are introduced.
Is Mental Illness A Physical Or Spiritual Issue?
To render mental illness only a spiritual or physical issue would result in equally unhelpful treatment remedies, for we are both spiritual and physical creatures. We are composed of both body and soul (Genesis 2:7; Matthew 10:28), we exist in beautiful harmony between the two. Each part has been equally tarnished by the fall. Therefore, mental illness is an expression of that tarnishing at both the physical and spiritual level.
It seems clear to me that the brain is a physical organ with electrical impulses and chemicals, and that mental illness is therefore not merely spiritual. No man could persuade me that all mental derangement is owing to a spiritual cause that has a purely spiritual solution.
Is Mental Illness A Result Of My Sin?
Although there can be and have been biblical examples of consequences based on sin, it is irresponsible to simply conclude that someone clearly has unconfessed sin in their life if they are struggling with mental illness.
John 9:2 gives an example of Jesus’ disciples doing just that when they ask Jesus who is to blame for a man’s physical disability to which Jesus replies: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.”
Is Mental Illness Just A Feeling?
It is important to make a clear distinction in that mental illness is not just a feeling or negative vibe, but a tangible deficiency or imbalance in the neurobiological makeup of someone’s brain.
For example, Bipolar disorder is typically characterized by early life hyperactivity in the neural circuitry of the brain correlated to interoception (self-awareness). This hyperactivity over time can lead to overstimulation and even death of these neurons in the brain, thus contributing to a standout symptom of a manic episode, lack of self-awareness/discernment.
Medication (Lithium) has been shown to have neuroprotective properties that allow it to protect those neurons associated with overstimulation.
Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Health Issues?
The simple answer is that it depends, but the question should be situated in such a way that downgrades it from a morality issue to an issue of personal discernment and wisdom. In other words, using medication is not a sin. Rather, a personal decision based on need and severity of illness. To use broad and rigid statements like “should” or “should not” applies unnecessary pressure and limitations.
In the same way pain meds are administered for typically more invasive surgeries, psychoactive drugs can be administered and helpful for those with mental illness. Especially in severe cases, medication can be the only thing keeping someone functioning at a normal and appropriate level.
To use the previous example, Bipolar can be a severely debilitating mental illness. Without John Cade’s (Australian Psychiatrist) discovery of Lithium in 1948 as an effective treatment for bipolar, many people would be frequently suffering from manic episodes which often lead to paranoia, distractibility, agitation, reckless financial decisions, sexually promiscuous behavior, etc.
Is It Safe For Adolescents To Take Medication?
Especially for young kids with ADHD type symptoms, I often see reactive decisions made by parents to medicate their child when more time outside, emotional connection, unsupervised free time, or less social media usage might actually be a more appropriate option.
The younger the client, the more hesitant I am to recommend medication for mental health treatment. The brain is not yet developed until the age of 25, so introducing medications that are designed to alter brain chemistry can be increasingly risky for children. This only emphasizes the importance of talking with a certified psychiatrist about the associated risks if medication is absolutely necessary.
Medication As A Supplement To Holistic Care
As the severity of mental illness increases, I am compelled to advise equal consideration for drug treatment (discuss with primary care provider or psychiatrist). Especially in severe cases (PTSD, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, etc.), I would be hesitant to only recommend exercise, healthy diet, or other holistic approaches as the only treatment option.
However, it would be unwise to ignore the reality of over-medicating, side-effects, and other risks associated with medication. I believe holistic approaches are valuable and essential to someone’s journey to healing.
Some studies have credibly shown that exercise (particularly dancing) can be incredibly effective in treating depression. Equally as beneficial, cold water immersion has been extensively documented as having many anti-depressive effects among other mental health benefits.
With that in mind, perhaps medication can offer a substantial boost in mood that stabilizes someone suffering from mental illness. This stabilization, in conjunction with other practical, holistic, or spiritual remedies (talk therapy, prayer, exercise, diet, social engagement, meaningful work, church community, meditation, fasting, etc.) can hopefully lead to medication becoming obsolete.
In short, God has given Christians full access to responsibly use medication for mental health related issues as needed. Do we rely on God to hydrate us and therefore attempt to go without water for 30 days? Of course not. So it is of no consequence to us to think of medication as a possible remedy given by God for a debilitating mental deficiency.
God is more than capable to instantly heal us from any ailment, but he sometimes chooses not to (something that is sometimes difficult to reconcile). However, He has graciously orchestrated and revealed himself through a variety of other remedies that can be vessels of his grace. I believe medication can be one of them.