"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Psychotropic Drugs
Psychotropic medication is a critical issue in mental health. I've talked to hundreds of clients who were on psych meds. I'm going to share with you what I have seen.
To be sure, there are some 'success' stories. I'll list a few.
- One individual had, as his mission in life, to take out the mafia. He made a diligent—though unsuccessful—effort to do just that. He was well-armed: He had a BB gun. His diagnosis: Schizophrenia. After he was put on psych meds, he was rational and appeared well-adjusted in every way.
- An 18 year old housewife complained of persistent anxiety. Her doctor gave her 10mg of Prozac which seemed to completely clear up her symptoms. She became a different person, smiling and making jokes. Unfortunately, she then celebrated her success by cheating on her husband.
- A girl of about 11 used to go into uncontrollable rages. And this was a nice girl. Her symptoms showed major improvement after being put on the drug Tofranil. This was a secular client; I couldn't say anything about the Bible.
- Another individual was a retired businessman. He had been successful in his business career. However, he was always angry. He would repeatedly break furniture in his home during episodes of rage. His symptoms improved greatly after being put on Paxil: "I've never done this good before."
With stories like these, you might think that I have a generally favorable view of psychotropic medication. I do not. For two reasons.
First, I am aware of many examples of superior results without medication.
An example follows.
One pastor also used to go into a rampage, breaking furniture around the house. This would be followed by amnesia about the event. His wife would have to tell him what had happened.
He said he was able to break free as a result of his church's Freedom Ministry. Several people had prayed for him and commanded the demon to depart.
Second, I've seen too many other things. Some examples.
- One client was a married housewife—about 35 years old. She had been in the military. According to her husband, she was once energetic and very attractive. Then, she had some depression. She was put on anti-depressants. Years later, she became my client. She had gained weight and could do little more that sit around the house and watch TV. And nothing I could do could change anything. Her psychiatrist refused to take her off the medication.
- Another client had issues with depression and anxiety. He was on 5 different psych meds. I couldn't get him to do anything. Not even read his Bible. Like most others, he sleeps a lot.
- I sent one client to the emergency room who needed to be seen right away. His symptoms were serious and possibly life-threatening. The emergency room doctor told him that his symptoms were caused by his psychiatric medication. He was taking his medication as directed.
- A high school age boy: He was also taking 5 different psychotropic drugs. His case was severe—he had threatened his mother with a knife. Still, keeping him doped up is no answer. It's just a confirmation that secular psychology has no real answers.
- A then 18-year-old boy. And this is a relative. He used to be highly intelligent, easily able to beat his father in chess. Then, he developed some depression due to to anger issues. His parents took him to reputable doctors, thinking that they were dealing with a medical issue, not a spiritual foothold. He was put on Zyprexa, Seroquel, Wellbutrin, Ativan and just about every psych drug under the sun. The last time I spoke with him, he couldn't even remember a single sentence. He had experienced a severe cognitive decline—along with mania—as a result of the medications his doctors had prescribed. And he was no better off emotionally: "I feel terrified!" "I can't organize my thoughts!" "I don't know what to do!" This is the worst case I have ever seen. But it points out the possible negative consequences of using psychotropic medications.
Psychotropic drugs always have side effects. They tend to stop working over time. Doses have to be increased. Medications need to be added. Medications need to be changed. It's a never-ending hassle.
Furthermore, it's unlikely that you will find a drug, or drug combination, that will work, and be tolerable, on your first try. Usually, experimentation is necessary—both in terms of medication(s) as well as dosage.
Medications make it impossible to learn self-control. You instead learn to rely on the medication.
Medications can eliminate the consequences of negative thinking and maladaptive behavior. They often reduce mental acuity and produce lethargy—especially with long-term use. So clients usually make no progress whatsoever—except, of course, for symptom relief that directly results from the medication.
Psychotropic drugs can also create new mental health problems that will not go away even if the medications are discontinued.
I would like to tell you that your doctor is the best person to evaluate whether or not you should be on psychotropic medications. I can't. I think these drugs are over-prescribed. Way over-prescribed. When doctors tell their Christian patients that they should be taking psychotropic drugs, they are usually wrong.
In fairness to doctors, three facts should be noted: 1) Doctors are aware of the limitations of secular therapy. 2) They generally know little or nothing about the Bible. 3) They know that if they don't prescribe drugs—and something happens—they may be sued. And they will probably have to pay damages.
Recognize that the Standard of Care for just about any mental condition is psychotherapy and medication. Anyone with a license who says not to take the drugs is taking a big risk in regard to licensure and litigation. So, they can't really be objective.
When evaluating whether or not you should take psychotropic medication, consider the following:
- Why is this drug being prescribed?
- Is the drug really necessary?
- How long is this drug going to be needed?
- What are the health consequences of taking this drug over the period of time in which it will be prescribed?
- What are the side effects (Sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction etc.)? Psychotropic drugs can also cause brain damage and other serious health problems. They can also make your problems worse.
- Is the drug compatible with other medications you are taking?
- Is the drug compatible with other things you may be using (Illegal drugs, alcohol, herbal preparations, supplements, energy drinks etc.)?
- Recognize that no drug is without negative health consequences. Most of the time, for Christians, the risks—and actual negative consequences—far outweigh the benefits.
Pharmacists are a good source of information for all medications as well as drug interactions.
I think parents should be especially cautious in allowing their children to be prescribed psychotropic drugs. These drugs are much more damaging to children and adolescents than they are to adults. Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz stated: "Giving a child a psychiatric drug is poisoning, not treatment."
Home schooling is a much better alternative for serious behavioral disorders. Most of these will go away, with time, anyway. Brain damage, however, may be permanent.
I have seen children who are very much out of control. However, I have never seen a child who I think should have been prescribed psychotropic medication.
I would note that when I went to elementary school—in the 1950s and 1960s—there were no such children. You had to control your behavior or you would get a spanking. And I don't remember ever hearing of a kid being given psychotropic drugs.
These medications make it impossible for children to learn self-control.
If you are currently taking psychotropic medication, do not abruptly discontinue or reduce your medication without first consulting with your doctor. Reductions in the dosage of many medications should only be made slowly. Doing otherwise is dangerous.
One key question to ask a doctor is this: "If you were going to take your patient off of the medication(s), how would you do it? And how fast?"
Also, if you are making any changes in your medication, you really don't know how you will be affected until after you make the change. It's a good idea to have someone nearby who knows what is going on. This way, that person will be in a position to help, if needed.
If you're thinking about discontinuing medication, contrary to your doctor's advice—but are not emotionally strong enough to say 'no' to your doctor—take a family member or friend with you to the doctor.
Also, recognize that most doctors will actively resist efforts to discontinue the medications. When, as a young man, I decided to stop taking psychotropic drugs, I did so on my own.
Never abruptly discontinue taking psychotropic drugs without your doctor's approval—this is dangerous.
I learned this the hard way. Fortunately, I survived with no permanent ill effects. I should have discontinued the Xanax I was taking slowly.
Do your homework before trying to get off psychotropic drugs. Example: do a Google search on "benzodiazepine discontinuation guidelines."
Psychiatrist Dr. Peter Breggin also publishes information on getting off of psychotropic drugs.
There are also online support groups that deal with this issue.
There are definite risks in trying to discontinue psychotropic medication—be careful. Of course, there are also negative health consequences that take place if you continue to use the drugs.
Some psychotropic drugs are more difficult to get off of than street drugs. If you attempt to get off these drugs, you can expect your mental health symptoms to get worse before they get better. This is because you may experience withdrawal, just like with a street drug.
If you decide to stop taking your psychotropic drugs—contrary to your doctor's advice—it is highly unlikely you will be able to find a licensed medical facility that will be willing to supervise the withdrawal process. This is because they will likely view the medication you are taking as 'medically necessary' to treat an incurable chronic medical condition.
Even if a psychotropic drug is effective in reducing symptoms, it is still usually a bad idea. Psychotropic drugs make it impossible to learn to rely on the Bible to regulate one's emotions. And, when the medication stops working, you are very much out of control.
Psychotropic drugs can reduce the risk of suicide, for periods of time, when they are working. Depression, for example, can be extremely painful—and suicide risk is a concern for anyone who is experiencing depression.
I would make the argument, however, that, over time, psychotropic drugs increase the risk of patient suicide. This is true for three primary reasons: 1) The drugs usually result in the person having to live in an unnatural, uncomfortable medicated state. The drugs deaden emotions, take away joy and may make the person feel consistently bad. Under such circumstances, life itself can become a burden. 2) When the medications stop working—which usually happens from time to time—the person faces the dual onslaught of painful emotions and no way to control them. This is a very scary predicament. And it's a dangerous predicament. 3) Taking the medications daily, over extended periods of time, usually results in physical health problems. Your body is trying to get the drugs out of your system for a reason.
Psychotropic drugs should normally be viewed as highly suspect in light of Scripture. That is because the Bible says: "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)."
One thing I've noticed in therapy is that clients on psych drugs don't make progress, except for that which flows directly as a result of the temporary suppression of mental health symptoms.
Psychotropic drugs are prescribed because secular therapy usually doesn't work very well—if it works at all.
If you are considering taking these drugs, I will provide some guidelines.
These guidelines assume that you know and have tried biblical interventions. And that you recognize that biblical interventions usually take time to work. Some problems, like anxiety and depression, may require years of effort for major progress to occur.
Recognize, also, that due to the realities of life and spiritual warfare, none of us are ever permanently free of all anxiety.
I believe that psychotropic drugs should only be considered under the following circumstances:
- You are a danger to yourself without the drugs.
- Without the drugs, you are a danger to others.
- You are near death and still experiencing disturbing mental health symptoms. Under such circumstances, the health consequences of these medications are less problematic.
- Only as an absolute last resort.
- Only for as long as necessary.
- Only after first bringing the issue to God in prayer.
- Only after wise Christian counsel (More than one person. Emergencies excepted.).
- Only with a doctor's prescription.
Legal disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Discuss your individual situation with your physician before making any changes.
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