Why Do We Seem Negative about Psychiatric Medications?

REVIEW

Ed Welch strikes a wise balance on such a touchy subject for both believers and those in the professional mental health field. I really enjoyed reading his perspective and found it to be one of the best short articles on the topic. This article was first posted on CCEF website which you can link to from the resource menu on the right of this blog. Fill free to search their database of free podcast, videos, and articles on multiple counseling issues. 

By: Ed Welch

Topics: Medication

Published: Mar 27, 2012

We have always talked about psychiatric medications in terms of wisdom: sometimes it is wise to use them, sometimes it is not. But if you follow CCEF citations of secular research, we typically identify literature that shows the limitations of medication and so, over time, we seem negative. 

Well, what do we really believe?  If we think the use of medications can be wise, why do we consistently cite limitations rather than benefits? Do we really believe it is a matter of wisdom? We do. It is not right or wrong, good or evil. Get informed advice from family and medical professionals, and make a decision.

Why then do we cite the limitations? Three reasons.

One, as counselors we tend to see people who are taking medication but it has not been very helpful. They still experience lots of distress. We also see those who have become dependent on anti-anxiety medications, and are suffering through withdrawal. True, our sample size is not large. We certainly know there are many people who vouch for the helpfulness of medication, and that leads to the next reason.

Two, the benefits of medication are well publicized; the limitations are not. We constantly receive positive messages about medication from advertising, friends and co-workers. But these messages overstate the benefits and understate the limitations—unless you pay close attention to the speed-talker at the end of the commercial. So, I think a few words of caution provide a useful counterpoint.

Three, there is something theological going on here. If your view of persons is that we are essentially bodies and nothing more, then medication is the foremost means of change. But if you believe that the human heart is a very busy place of allegiances, dashed hopes, exaggerated desires, profound hurts and all kinds of contradictory motivations, then your attention will be drawn to where the action is. You still have a keen interest in the body and in alleviating physical suffering whenever possible, but you also know that we can grow in contentment, hope and love even in the midst of physical ailments. Physical troubles rarely can keep us from growing in godliness.  The more you are drawn to the complexities of human experience, the less you will be drawn to the importance of psychiatric medications.

Biblical counseling is not unique in this. For example, the existential therapies, which also believe that there is a lot going on inside the person, seem to minor in medication rather than major in it.

Notice how this works in a particular person. Two people struggle with anxiety. One has no acquaintance with how the heart (inner person) impacts anxiety, and so thinks first about medicating away the unwanted symptoms. The other begins with, “Lord, help.” And then an endless world of fine words and promises begin to emerge from Scripture. The experience of anxiety doesn’t disappear but the news that God understands anxiety, and has compassion for the anxious, offers so much that is good. It brings hope and comfort, and, somehow, that makes the experience less distressing. We tend to think of medication when we are stuck, with nowhere else to turn, but this person still sees so much more ahead. Might medication be considered? Certainly. Yet it will not have the same pride of place. It will be able to help some symptoms but not others.

These can be complex matters, and it is difficult to offer a general perspective like this without raising many other questions, but I hope that it sounds both true to Scripture, savvy to human experience and compassionate. (And check out Mike Emlet’s article on psychiatric medication in the recent issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling: www.ccef.org/jbc).

A Call to Counsel Biblically

It is never easy to be corrected. As a country we have held the philosophy of independence, self-sufficiency, and the freedom to pursue our dreams. The American dream--which most spend their lives trying to achieve-- has been rooted into much of the fabric of its citizen’s lives. So much so it has even penetrated the church and influenced our outlook on life, success, and counsel.  It is the latter topic upon which this blog seeks to address and expound.

An appeal to Humanistic Counsel

The Christian community and churches have gradually accepted a model of counsel that was primarily developed by individuals who did not share a personal relationship with Christ or a Christian worldview. While these individuals genuinely seek to help those who are hurting, they greatly lack the necessary understanding of God and His Scriptures to offer transforming and lasting hope to the community or church.  Their theories and techniques are not grounded in truth, but are the results of humanistic thinking as well as human logic and reasoning. They remain primarily focused on dealing with the symptoms of issues and lack a comprehensive understanding of humanity as a created being and in need of their creator and Savior. Their theories and techniques are the exact forms of doctrines that the church at Ephesus was warned of and encouraged to avoid (Ephesians 4:14 ESV). God has set forth the means and method to which counsel is to be carried out in His Word for all of the complex issues we face under the sun (II Peter 1:3).

Overview and Disclaimer

In the remaining content of this blog I will address a few basic concepts of biblical counsel and provide a link to the confessional statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. In future entries, I will be comparing and contrasting beliefs of both the humanistic and biblical means for seeking to help people with specific mental health disorders.  These blog entries are not to be taken as a comprehensive approach to addressing the topic at hand. I acknowledge that every individual is uniquely created and therefore his or her personal struggle is also unique and cannot be addressed with proper attention in a blog post. These entries are simply an introduction and beginning point to encourage further exploration on the topic of a biblical resolution for these complex issues.

Live in Peace: Admonish, Encourage, and Help

Paul gives the believers of Thessalonica an urge or call on how they are to approach both the teacher/counselor and the counselee.  It appears that there was conflict among the body that necessitated Paul to address their need to work and live among each other in peace. “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV). Paul goes on to than emphasize that there are different methods that we are to approach fellow believers and that these methods are conditioned upon the particular need or issue they are facing. “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV). The three distinct ways to approach the believer is through admonishing, encouraging, and helping. Each of these approaches is very different and will be expounded upon at a later date.

Be Gracious: Speak the Truth in Love

Paul completes his instruction to the members at Thessalonica with a call for all believers to respond in a means to one another that brings glory to God and builds unity. “Be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:14c-22 ESV). When we return to Ephesians 4 we find Paul summarizing how believers are to respond and speak to each other. Biblical Counseling is not simply about speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but we are also to live our lives in a means that reflects the truth we share to others from God’s Word (Ephesians 4:1-7, 20-32).  

Please review the Confessional Statement of Biblical Counseling Coalition to get a more in-depth understanding of a biblical philosophy of counseling. 

Relevant Resources

Toward a Definition of the Essence of Biblical Counseling by John Piper

Should We Be For or Against Psychology: Conversation Continued by Brad Hambrick

Gracious Candor: A Tutorial in Speaking Truth in Love by Heath Lambert