Apostolic Friends Forum - Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

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Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiblingRevelry (Post 1236328)

I wouldn't be here without evil psych drugs.

Seriously.

Since 1999, I have taken the same combination of drugs and it has allowed me to remain stable (no more trips to the emergency room), hold down a job (now nearly 15 years with the same company instead of jumping from job to job every six months), and, basically, have a life.

If someone told me I was demonically oppressed, I'd look at them and say (Seth Myers voice): "Oh REALLY?" So it's demonic oppression if the chemicals in my mind act up, but if my pancreas is insulin-sensitive, then it's OK to take metformin?

Let's be clear, these are prescription drugs and the potential side effects are reason enough why they're not sold over the counter. I think too many people tune out the side effects in all the medication ads on TV because the stuff promises to cure their biggest problem (arthritis, leaky bladder, a certain dysfunction common to men...). My mom was given Chantix to help her quit smoking, but instead it caused serious problems (and, to be blunt, is contraindicated for heart patients and she has two stents). However, if mom does not take her anti-schizophrenia medications, she's a danger to live with.

If there weren't a drug to treat my chronic major depression, I'd be hospitalized permanently or dead. The drugs are a lifesaver, and I do get annoyed when someone hints it could be demonic influences. *shakes head* Nope. When I take the drugs, everything is great. When I don't take the drugs, I get depressed and then want to kill myself. This is an easy formula for me. Take drugs, be a productive, taxpaying member of society. Don't take drugs: who knows?

I never want to be misunderstood in a way that makes people think I dont believe in mental illness, or that drugs to treat it is bad or that "crazy people are just possessed".

None of those concepts are productive. I am glad you are on your meds and they help!

My major issue (because it has affected my family) is when people are going onto the drugs, they can cause elevated feelings of suicidal/homcidal thoughts. once on the medication, they seem to be very good at preventing that very thing! so care is needed in "ramping up" etc.

I also think most demonic possession is really mental illness. The test is when the possessed person never shows the bad behavior.

Ive seen possession. It did not present as mental illness or even unstable behavior for that matter.

please forgive my mispelling...im not spell checking

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferd (Post 1236495)

I want to emphasize this because these drugs (and others besides) can have strange side effects. I had to take Vicodin last year when I had an (interrupted, it took multiple tries) root canal. I hated the stuff, because while it did what it was supposed to (killed the pain), it made me loopy beyond all belief. I am told I called in sick to work and was totally out of my gourd, as in: "It was a free humor show, starring you" (per my very understanding boss). I can definitely tell you I stayed at home (no driving) and made no major decisions until that stuff washed out of my system.

I do think people don't pay enough attention to the side effects of medications, which can be quite serious. However, my mother was prescribed an anti-depressant (yep, a double whammy, depressed schizophrenic, go figure) and she had read the literature and was not happy at all about the side effects. She'd decided not to take it. I asked her what it was, she handed the bottle to me and I said, "Mom, I take this every day and have for over a decade..." LOL.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiblingRevelry (Post 1236328)

I understand and agree with what you are saying. I have a close relative by marriage who is ADD. Seriously ADD not the kind who was prescribed medicine because he was a little active. When he has been off his medication he has been unable to hold a job because he cannot focus and is impulsive so will do and say things he would not ordinarily do.

However he is a Christian and strongly believes he should not keep taking the medication to treat ADD. He believes he should have never been on it as a child (I disagree) and that his problem is that his body is used to the medication. He is believing that between Gods help and his body being flushed of the drugs he will be fine.

Dealing with him on a daily basis I believe he desperately needs to be back on his medication. He has been unemployed for an extended period of time so I wonder if his performance in job interviews is affected by him not being on the medication. He is highly educated and well spoken but hyper without the meds. My other concern is that when he does get a job will be be able to buck the trend of a few years ago when he went through jobs like crazy when off the meds. I told his wife that if he gets a good job and loses it to not being on the meds she needs to put her foot down and insist he take them.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Christians who think they should not take medicine because of their faith are not being biblical.

When Paul told Timothy to "take a little wine for your stomach's sake" he was telling him to take his medicine.

At that time, wine was used as medicine. in fact, we know of at least 30 different recipes for making wines that were used to treat different sickenesses.

we also know that the ancients used wine to purify their water. They didnt know why water was dangerous nor why adding a little wine to the water would make it safe to drink, but they knew it was true.

This was MEDICINE and Paul was telling Timothy to TAKE HIS MEDS. Its biblical.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Elijah sent namann to the jordan river to dip 7 times.We are to follow medical advice. As for mental illiness-I believe all such people are demon controled or possessed.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdriscoll (Post 1236702)

Elijah sent namann to the jordan river to dip 7 times.We are to follow medical advice. As for mental illiness-I believe all such people are demon controled or possessed.

:pirate

You're kidding, right?

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdriscoll (Post 1236702)

Elijah sent namann to the jordan river to dip 7 times.We are to follow medical advice. As for mental illiness-I believe all such people are demon controled or possessed.

I agree.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdriscoll (Post 1236702)

Elijah sent namann to the jordan river to dip 7 times.We are to follow medical advice. As for mental illiness-I believe all such people are demon controled or possessed.

:shocked:

I cannot believe that in this day and age, people will be branded as demon possessed when there is scientific medical proof that heavy metal toxicity, environmental toxins from pesticides like agent orange and roundup among others, barium and aluminum being sprayed in the air, formaldehyde, mercury, fluoride and other toxic poisoning can cause disruption of the neurochemicals in the brain.

I am so disappointed in people who will not consider brain toxicity, tumors and extended emotional abuse before branding those suffering as demon possessed. :(

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Demonic enfluence is more prevalent than most realize in today's world.

Re: Mental Illness or Demonic Influence?

Luke 8:26 and further.....
The Bible did not change and never will.