A couple of conversations recently have prompted me to realise that while Depression and its significance is oft misunderstood in society, some of the more unhelpful beliefs about Depression can be found within the Church itself.
Certainly the most unhelpful idea is the notion that,
Christians shouldn't take antidepressants, because 'depression' is not a legit medical condition, but rather a consequence of a lack of faith, and / or guilt over un-repented sin.
I'm not saying this is every Christian's attitude towards depression, but I know there are a few who are persuaded towards this attitude to at least some extent.
At our church Men's Camp last weekend (alas, I wasn't able to attend myself), a brave young soul had the courage to speak up about his experience with depression, and I understand that there were a few attendees who 'had their eyes opened' to something they'd never really understood before.
So, in my next few posts I'm hoping to share a little of my own experience, having been diagnosed with depression some years ago.
I hope to cover a little about
- What it really means to be Clinically Depressed, as opposed to more circumstantial depression, and how it affects a person's day to day life;
- Why people shouldn't dismiss Depression because they think it's part of the 'mind' and not the 'body';
- How antidepressants work, and their role in managing depression (the pharmacist in me has to come out sometime); and,
- Why Christians shouldn't look at antidepressants as 'quick-fix cop-outs', but rather see them as tools (in addition to prayer, Bible, etc) to help a Christian maintain a healthy spiritual life.
I'll aim to keep it simple and concise.
Hopefully it'll be good.
Comments and questions welcome.
4 comments:
Scoot,
Thanks for your willingness to be open and share about this sort of stuff. I'm looking forward to reading and thinking through the issue.
I think it's a really important issue for Christians. I think most people in medicine know how any sort of organic illness can have profound effects on cognition and affect - e.g. the little old lady presenting acutely confused with a UTI, the agitated acquired brain injury patient. There is really no distinction between 'mental' illness and 'physical' illness - the mind and body are one in the same. I come from a family who have struggled with panic and anxiety disorders (and have experienced some of this myself, which can be terrifying). It is true that spiritual problems can manifest as physical and mental ones, however to reduce mental illness to a 'spiritual' issue, or an issue of 'faith' is simplistic, condescending and downright dangerous.
I'm interested. I know a few people (some close to me) who have been diagnosed with depression. I am interested to hear a Christian Pharmacist view.
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