Comments on: Doped up… http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/ Life, adventure and faith in south Arkansas Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:50:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Notes from the Trail » America’s drug of choice… http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-3700 Notes from the Trail » America’s drug of choice… Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:29:05 +0000 850801779#comment-3700 [...] I wrote on this issue last year. [...] [...] I wrote on this issue last year. [...]

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-245 Jeff Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-245 <b>I noticed that too, Chef. Maybe they're sick more since they're the weaker sex? Just kidding, Carolyn. Really.... I'll, uh, go wash the dishes or something...</b> I noticed that too, Chef. Maybe they’re sick more since they’re the weaker sex?

Just kidding, Carolyn. Really….

I’ll, uh, go wash the dishes or something…

]]> By: chefpierre http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-246 chefpierre Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-246 Why is it just the fem-bots that see the need to post on this issue? (A coming global firespericy?) Why is it just the fem-bots that see the need to post on this issue?

(A coming global firespericy?)

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-247 Jeff Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-247 <b>I think our society is biblically uninformed about "depression." We are fast to rely on the research of Freud and others that proclaim <i>chemical imbalance</i> and the like and slow to turn to God's Word. Throughout Scripture, there were <i>certainly</i> people who were "depressed." Yet they didn't have medication and they survived. The Psalms are full of honest, heartfelt cries to God from the midst of low times. Job himself, if anyone ever did, certainly struggled with "depression." Yet he said, "Shall we accept good from the Lord and not adversity?" (Job 2.10) There is a <i>ton</i> of conflicting evidence regarding current treatment of depression which advocates anti-depressants like Zoloft and Prozac. People who are struggling should do their research. Here's an interesting site from a decidedly anti-anti-depressant standpoint: ? <a href="http://www.psychologydebunked.com/thesituation.htm#Didyouknow" rel="nofollow">Psychology Debunked</a> Also, take a look at their <a href="http://www.psychologydebunked.com/news.htm" rel="nofollow">news page.</a> It's frightening to consider the effects that anti-depressants can have on babies when their mothers have been on them. ? <a href="http://www.christianadvice.net/christian_depression_help_advice.htm" rel="nofollow">This page</a> contains some helpful advice and also gives a link for those struggling with deep depression. ? Another interesting article is <a href="http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2889" rel="nofollow">"Job on Prozac"</a> Again, let me reiterate that I am <i>not</i> opposed to medication or condemning those suffering from depression. I am, however, saying that our American mindset thinks we can "fix" everything, and that is not a proper biblical perspective. Unfortunately, I do think the vast majority of people on anti-depressants today probably do not need to be.</b> I think our society is biblically uninformed about “depression.” We are fast to rely on the research of Freud and others that proclaim chemical imbalance and the like and slow to turn to God’s Word. Throughout Scripture, there were certainly people who were “depressed.” Yet they didn’t have medication and they survived. The Psalms are full of honest, heartfelt cries to God from the midst of low times. Job himself, if anyone ever did, certainly struggled with “depression.” Yet he said, “Shall we accept good from the Lord and not adversity?” (Job 2.10)

There is a ton of conflicting evidence regarding current treatment of depression which advocates anti-depressants like Zoloft and Prozac. People who are struggling should do their research.

Here’s an interesting site from a decidedly anti-anti-depressant standpoint:
? Psychology Debunked Also, take a look at their news page. It’s frightening to consider the effects that anti-depressants can have on babies when their mothers have been on them.
? This page contains some helpful advice and also gives a link for those struggling with deep depression.
? Another interesting article is “Job on Prozac”

Again, let me reiterate that I am not opposed to medication or condemning those suffering from depression. I am, however, saying that our American mindset thinks we can “fix” everything, and that is not a proper biblical perspective. Unfortunately, I do think the vast majority of people on anti-depressants today probably do not need to be.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-248 Mandy Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-248 I agree... just wanted to make sure that we're all in agreement that depression is also a very real physical illness with serious consequences.. and depression is not the same as being in a bad mood that will just lift when your circumstances get better. I know so many people feel horrible about taking antidepressants that they really do need because they also think if they were just more spiritual that they could work through it. Perhaps that is true.. who's to say? But I do know that depression is often caused by chemical imbalances and hormonal problems that meds do help with. But yes, if ppl are taking pills to get over a bad time, rather than deal with it, that is probably going to land them in long term depression and dependance on meds. But just wanted to throw out there that, at least the handful of ppl I know on meds for depression, it is not circumstantial.. it is a real illness that they suffer with. I agree… just wanted to make sure that we’re all in agreement that depression is also a very real physical illness with serious consequences.. and depression is not the same as being in a bad mood that will just lift when your circumstances get better. I know so many people feel horrible about taking antidepressants that they really do need because they also think if they were just more spiritual that they could work through it. Perhaps that is true.. who’s to say? But I do know that depression is often caused by chemical imbalances and hormonal problems that meds do help with. But yes, if ppl are taking pills to get over a bad time, rather than deal with it, that is probably going to land them in long term depression and dependance on meds. But just wanted to throw out there that, at least the handful of ppl I know on meds for depression, it is not circumstantial.. it is a real illness that they suffer with.

]]> By: dawn Reed http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-249 dawn Reed Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-249 We are a pill popping society. I agree with Mandy. Thank Heaven for Meds. I know that we are all overmedicated. I remember the doctor putting me on Prozac when I was going through some depression in college....My uncle is also a doctor was furious when he found out I was on Prozac. He said that I was just in a down mood and it would pass. He was right. I hope that in my profession I can be there for people to talk it out and resort to Meds as a last resort not a first and only solution. Great entry! We are a pill popping society. I agree with Mandy. Thank Heaven for Meds. I know that we are all overmedicated. I remember the doctor putting me on Prozac when I was going through some depression in college….My uncle is also a doctor was furious when he found out I was on Prozac. He said that I was just in a down mood and it would pass. He was right. I hope that in my profession I can be there for people to talk it out and resort to Meds as a last resort not a first and only solution.

Great entry!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-250 Jeff Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-250 <b>Mandy, I agree with you. Like I said (or hoped I said) in the entry, "I'm not saying that you shouldn't resort to medicine." Heck, my wife has had Hodgkin's Disease (cancer of the lymph nodes) 3 different times, and EACH time we took advantage of chemotherapy and radiation. It was a real illness with drastic physical consequences. I do believe that God has gifted us with doctors and medicines. The Gospeller Luke was a physician! But what I was saying is that there are waaaaay too many folks using meds for inappropriate reasons, many of them believers in Christ. It's far too easy to turn to Zoloft or Prozac for a fix for your feelings and moods than to fast, pray, and seek God's face for understanding, perseverance and peace.</b> Mandy,
I agree with you. Like I said (or hoped I said) in the entry, “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t resort to medicine.” Heck, my wife has had Hodgkin’s Disease (cancer of the lymph nodes) 3 different times, and EACH time we took advantage of chemotherapy and radiation. It was a real illness with drastic physical consequences. I do believe that God has gifted us with doctors and medicines. The Gospeller Luke was a physician!

But what I was saying is that there are waaaaay too many folks using meds for inappropriate reasons, many of them believers in Christ. It’s far too easy to turn to Zoloft or Prozac for a fix for your feelings and moods than to fast, pray, and seek God’s face for understanding, perseverance and peace.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-251 Mandy Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-251 I agree somewhat, but I do think that many of the modern medicines we so thankfully have today might be God's will for us. So many people would suffer needlessly if it were not for antidepressants. So many women kill their children for fear of ridicule if they DO seek the medical help they need and end up on medication. So many marriages end because someone has a chemical imbalance that meds could help with. So many people die because they souly trust in the Lord to heal, and refuse to seek medical attention for fear of being unfaithful or untrusting of God. Does God heal? YES! Is God's only way to heal through prayer? NO! I'm not a "pill popper"... I too don't take Tylenol for headaches b/c I can tough them out. But I think most people on medication are on them b/c they do need them. Would more prayer and less meds be a fabulous thing? Yes... but I think it's 'almost' a bit judgemental to assume everyone is overdoing medication just because there are so many medicines available now. Sure, it seems silly to many people that you would need something for a bladder disorder, unless YOU have it. How funny are those ED commercials? Not at all I'm sure if you suffer with the disorder. I think the antidepressants are probably widely overused and over prescribed... but for the MANY people who truly need them, PRAISE THE LORD for them. Not to be the oddball.. but wanted to put my two cents in. I agree somewhat, but I do think that many of the modern medicines we so thankfully have today might be God’s will for us. So many people would suffer needlessly if it were not for antidepressants. So many women kill their children for fear of ridicule if they DO seek the medical help they need and end up on medication. So many marriages end because someone has a chemical imbalance that meds could help with. So many people die because they souly trust in the Lord to heal, and refuse to seek medical attention for fear of being unfaithful or untrusting of God. Does God heal? YES! Is God’s only way to heal through prayer? NO! I’m not a “pill popper”… I too don’t take Tylenol for headaches b/c I can tough them out. But I think most people on medication are on them b/c they do need them. Would more prayer and less meds be a fabulous thing? Yes… but I think it’s ‘almost’ a bit judgemental to assume everyone is overdoing medication just because there are so many medicines available now. Sure, it seems silly to many people that you would need something for a bladder disorder, unless YOU have it. How funny are those ED commercials? Not at all I’m sure if you suffer with the disorder. I think the antidepressants are probably widely overused and over prescribed… but for the MANY people who truly need them, PRAISE THE LORD for them. Not to be the oddball.. but wanted to put my two cents in.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-252 Jeff Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-252 <b>Wow!! Jill and Angela, you gals are much more observant than me from a practical standpoint. Thanks for contributing! So what do you guys think is a solution(s)? From a medical standpoint and also from a Christian/church standpoint? Throw out (just not up) some thoughts on that.</b> Wow!! Jill and Angela, you gals are much more observant than me from a practical standpoint. Thanks for contributing!

So what do you guys think is a solution(s)? From a medical standpoint and also from a Christian/church standpoint? Throw out (just not up) some thoughts on that.

]]> By: jill http://www.journeyguy.com/doped-up/#comment-253 jill Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 850801779#comment-253 you'd think i'd disagree with you, seeing as how medications is our livelihood. but i don't, and i'm sure josh wouldn't either. what i've found most in several churches, are people on anti-anxiety or anti-depressants after experiencing a traumatic event. For some reason, people are afraid to FEEL anymore. they don't want to experience the pain of loss of any degree, thus they miss out on the healing the Lord can bring, and the lessons learned as a result. you’d think i’d disagree with you, seeing as how medications is our livelihood. but i don’t, and i’m sure josh wouldn’t either. what i’ve found most in several churches, are people on anti-anxiety or anti-depressants after experiencing a traumatic event. For some reason, people are afraid to FEEL anymore. they don’t want to experience the pain of loss of any degree, thus they miss out on the healing the Lord can bring, and the lessons learned as a result.

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