MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATION
SHOULD CHRISTIANS ENDORSE MOOD-ALTERING DRUGS FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?
Key Facts
The United States has experienced a 64% increase in the use of antidepressants between 1999 and 2014. [1]
In 1999 7.7% of the population used antidepressants, but by 2014 12.7% were using them. [2]
35 percent of Americans say mental illness could be overcome with Bible study and prayer alone. [3]
23 percent of pastors acknowledge they have personally struggled with a mental illness. [4]
Key Scriptures
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Application
Anxiety and depression affects people of various beliefs from atheists to pastors. Some believe that these problems are only spiritual and thus need to be addressed through the reading of the Word and prayer. However, others suggest that these are physical issues that can, and often should, be addressed with medicine. What does the Bible say about anxiety and depression?
The Mind is Both Physical and Spiritual
The mind is spiritual as well as physical. The Fall of humanity recorded in Genesis records the entrance of sin into the world corrupting the world not only spiritually, but also physically (Genesis 3:14-19). Therefore, the Fall affected our physical minds as well as our spiritual minds. As we attempt to understand depression and anxiety it is important that we recognize that the causes of these illnesses can vary from wholly physical to wholly spiritual and everything in between. Some Christians may immediately assume that all problems relating to emotions and your mind are spiritual. While it is good to want to recognize and address spiritual problems, it is not the whole picture. God created us as embodied people, and both our bodies and our minds experience the results of the Fall.
Physical Versus Non-physical Causes of Depression and Anxiety
In many cases, it is difficult to discern whether depression or anxiety have primarily physical or non-physical causes. This question is best approached with the help of a Christian counselor or pastor as well as your doctor (Prov. 15:22). One helpful tool to discern whether depression is physical or non-physical is to ask the question, “Is there a situation or problem that is causing this feeling?” If there is an anxiety inducing problem in your life such as a bad relationship, loss of a family member, or major life change, this may be an instance of situational/spiritual rather than clinical depression. Spiritual and situational depression or anxiety can differ, but often have overlap. In order to address the question at hand (the use of antidepressant and antianxiety medications), I will put spiritual and situational causes together in a broad category of anxiety and depression that does not have a medical cause (non-physical). There is a lot of good information to help people discern between non-physical and physical depression/anxiety. It is not beneficial to treat a spiritual or situational anxiety with a physical drug. Therefore, determining the cause of one’s depression or anxiety is critical.
Are Antidepressant and Antianxiety Medication Idols?
Many believe that antidepressant and antianxiety medications are idols and that Christians should solely rely on God for their mental strength. However, relying on a medication for help is not the same thing as idolizing and worshipping it. We rely on food when we’re hungry, sleep when we’re tired, and medicine when we’re sick. If there is a problem with the physical part of our mind, it may be helpful and even necessary to take medications to help with the physical problem one is experiencing. That being said, anything can become an idol if we choose to worship it or give it an improper place in our lives (Exodus 20:3; Col. 3:5). Christians should be careful to avoid valuing any earthly thing above God.
Use Caution and Avoid Hasty Decisions
It is important to consider all options in addressing diagnosed clinical depression or anxiety. Mental health medications are serious drugs and have side effects that should be taken seriously. Proverbs 19:2 is a helpful verse to remember as a person considers their treatment options. It states, “it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.” We should be careful to examine the problem carefully in order to find the right solution. Once it is determined to be clinical depression with a doctor and Christian counselors help, one should consider all possible treatments of clinical depression and anxiety. Sometimes these treatments can include increased sleep, diet changes, therapy, and other alternatives to medication.
Conclusion
Antidepressant or antianxiety medications can be of benefit to those who experience anxiety or depression as a result of physical ailment such as the underproduction of serotonin. However, they should not be used to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression that have a spiritual origin. In cases of spiritual or situational depression/anxiety, it's important that we recognize the cause of our anxiety or depression and treat our spiritual problem with a spiritual solution. In cases of clinical ailments, Christians should take advantage of the help that doctors can offer through various treatments, and, in certain instances, employ medication that can assist with mental health.