I recently read an article by someone who claimed to be a student of the Bible and was describing how taking mental medication was the same thing as delving into witchcraft.
What upsets me the most about articles like this is that is it obvious that it is written by someone who knows nothing about mental illness and psychiatric medications. This is the Greek language "proof" provided by the author:
φαρμακεία
pharmakeia
far-mak-i'-ah
From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative): - sorcery, witchcraft.
This language explanation has nothing to do with mental illness or psychiatric medication. But what is more important is people need to understand why their is a physiological need for medication for people who have poorly developed neuro-pathways. People with Development Trauma Disorder or Development Childhood Disorder are highly probably to never have the nurturing needed to develop the normal brain pathways and to have fully developed nerve endings so that the chemicals released during stress in the human body would have a natural release and uptake in daily living.
THEREFORE, medication can and is very helpful.
This is what I explained as a comment to the article; I am not sure it was well appreciated but I thought here on my blog it might be:
Some people don't have the developed neurons due to intense trauma during developmental years (living through severe child abuse/neglect) or disease (like fetal alcohol syndrome) ... Their ability to fire serotonin and other chemicals that regulate emotional states and control either flood the body or don't cross the synapse. Medication can be life saving when used properly. Also when trauma victims have to go through intense therapy in order to overcome experiences medication that suppresses cyclical patterns of thoughts and emotions enables the person to endure the therapy that heals.
In addition, some heart conditions require medication that are commonly used in anti-anxiety to keep the heart from racing.
Needing medication is not permanent in most cases. After therapy, meds can gradually be reduced. Though this can take years or decades so that the person's body can adapt.
Blanket statements like these are made by people who either never needed these types of medications themselves so they have no idea what the chemistry of the human body can do when it malfunctions or they have been hurt by loved ones who improperly used or even abused medication and thereby have built a bias.
While painting broad strokes over people you do not know, nor that you have ever walked in the soles of their life, is not loving or kind to others. Did Jesus ever once in ministry paint broad strokes over anyone but the religious pharisees? Get to know people who are struggling.
Find the ones who are really wanting to recover and help them by meeting the little everyday needs that are common to all. While they are fragile mentally/emotional, people deeply want to be "normal". Minister to the mom struggling to take care of her home and children because her mind doesn't work properly and it fires or misfires chemicals (like adrenaline, norenephrine, etc). She/He can not control the release or lack of uptake in her body.
I hope this helps anyone who knows someone (including yourself) that takes psychiatric medication. Keep doing what you must to find healing. Don't let nay-sers discourage you! Healing is a long, hard road. You need encouragers surrounding you, not negative people.
