Faith vs Antidepressants

Mental illnesses caused by stress, anxiety and depression have real power.

Power to confuse; power to make us ineffective in many, if not all aspects of our lives; power to steal our joy, happiness and peace; and ultimately, power to destroy.

Burnout, breakdown and depression are typically misunderstood by many Christians and church leaderships, so that effective support and assistance from people we would count as our friends, is very uniformed and unhelpful.

The dilemma that Christians face when the stress under which they live their lives in this modern world lead to anxiety and depression, actually leads to further issues. When such sufferers are prescribed therapy and - 'God forbid' - antidepressants, the feelings of failure and guilt come flooding in to make matters even worse.

Stress, anxiety and depression are often frowned upon and are met with disdain by other Christians. Comments and scriptures are thrown around by people who probably have good intentions, but fail to appreciate and understand the issues of an already confused mind.

Faith and trust in God is questioned. This is most unhelpful.

It seems to me that something strange happens when stress, anxiety and depression are at issue as opposed to physical illness and diseases. No one - I hope - would agree to pray for someone to be healed from diabetes and them recommend them to stop taking penicillin! So, why oh, why, is it suggested that 'You don't need antidepressants. You need more faith!'?

This needs to be understood by the whole church but especially its leaderships, so that loving, effectual support and help can be part of the church' response to the likes of anxiety depression. Whether or not outside help from professional practitioners is involved is not for the church to decide. Our wonderful medical staff are good, and all good gifts come from God.

The author has experienced a breakdown that came unexpectedly but should have been foreseen by someone, if not himself! It's not a creeping paralysis, but it does creep upon you so that eventual mental failure of some kind becomes inevitable, if not recognised, assessed and treated properly.

So, this is a book that I trust will help anyone going through any form of depression, despair, dejection, or general and consistent downheartedness. It also seeks to help many to avoid burnout and/or breakdown - if there is a difference!

If any of these descriptions are familiar to you, you should probably read this book: The slightest thing sets you off on a downward spiral of anxiety or despair? Your main feelings are often of helplessness and hopelessness? You repeatedly get irritable or even angry? You regularly engage in escapist behaviour? There is a lack of joy in your life? You seem to have no control of your life? Everyone wants a piece of you and there's not enough of you to go round? When they've all had their piece of you, there's nothing left for yourself? You have given up trying to accomplish anything for yourself?