Member
Posted 16 December 2013 - 09:44 PM
Whats the halacha outlook on taking medicine for depression/anxiety etc.? I mean god made you like this the same way god made you look a certain way and you cant just go get plastic surgery why is this any different?? the medicines do chemical stuff with your brains?! Fine therapy and everything but medicine to do some chemical stuff?? its not even you if ur on the medicine its just u on the medicine when u stop taking it u turn back to who you really are- why is this different then drugs??
Moderator
Posted 25 February 2014 - 03:33 PM
Before looking at tnay sources, I assume it's fine. Would you have a problem with eating something to feel better? Or playing with a puppy? those all release chemicals in your brain or prevent other chimicals, just to a lesser and more temporary extent. the aspects of depression medication helps with are meidcal issues just like a cold. It's your bechira to take it.
Member
Posted 19 March 2014 - 02:02 AM
As far as I'm aware, there is no prohibition in halacha against plastic surgery, let alone depression medication.
The fact is depression and anxiety can be debilitating and can cause unimaginable suffering. It can also be detrimental to ones ruchnios.
Many believe, including ספרי קודש, that mental illness /מחלת נפש, causes more suffering to the sufferer than any other physical illness.
Schizophrenics for example have hallucinations, delusions and paranoia among other disturbing symptoms. Would you say that this is who they really are and ought to stay that way?
Many don't know that there are Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshivos that take these medications.
We have to be thankful to Hashem for being born in a time when these medication, among many others, are available.
Member
Posted 19 March 2014 - 04:26 PM
As far as I'm aware, there is no prohibition in halacha against plastic surgery, let alone depression medication.
The fact is depression and anxiety can be debilitating and can cause unimaginable suffering. It can also be detrimental to ones ruchnios.
Many believe, including ספרי קודש, that mental illness /מחלת נפש, causes more suffering to the sufferer than any other physical illness.
Schizophrenics for example have hallucinations, delusions and paranoia among other disturbing symptoms. Would you say that this is who they really are and ought to stay that way?
Many don't know that there are Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshivos that take these medications.
We have to be thankful to Hashem for being born in a time when these medication, among many others, are available.
thank you that was nice explanation. my question now is its different then schizophrenic bec by depression meds it makes u act differently same with ADHD meds and that's not the way u were created. your personality can change as well
Member
Posted 11 May 2015 - 08:46 PM
rabbi Shapiro can you please answer I'm trying to understand something here....I have a good friend who is of marriageable age and she tells me she has an anxiety problem and she wants to take medication- that she gets anxious and tense around people I guess a social anxiety type of thing? I know her for a while and she seems pretty normal to me in social situations she's an outgoing fun normal girl...I guess you can't know how someone feels on the inside but what is the Torah perspective on this? Shouldn't one just work on their attitude and change how they think and feel on the inside...is medication really the right way to go with this?
Moderator
Posted 19 May 2015 - 09:07 PM
LL3,
I know your question is geared towards Rabbi Shapiro; nevertheless, based on my experiences with students and mental health professionals, I am going to add my thoughts.
Anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc. - these are all mental health conditions. By definition, a health condition is not something someone chooses - nobody wants to be emotionally/psychologically/physically compromised. Believe me, if people could overcome anxiety/depression/etc. with a simple change in their thinking habits, they would have done it ages ago, right? It's not that simple and never has been.
In terms of mental health and stability: are we responsible - to a certain degree - for our emotions? Yes, to a point. We are responsible for doing השתדלות to achieve a better internal state, whether through learning about אמונה ובטחון, relaxation, diet, sleep, exercise, therapy, and, yes, medication, when needed. דרך אגב, physical conditions can also aggravate the mind/emotions - there is significant scientific evidence for the mind-body connection (for example, sometimes symptoms of depression/anxiety can stem from thyroid disorders, which are physical). In any case, the existence of a mental health condition--and our apparent success or lack thereof in healing it--is not in our hands. A victim of a mental or emotional disorder, is far more limited in his/her ability to successfully manage his/her mental/emotional state. So in answer to your question, working on oneself/one's attitude is definitely important, but it is often insufficient.
Additionally, stress, mental health disorders and chemical imbalances cause actual, physiological changes in the brain. Medication can significantly help realign a person's brain chemistry and bring it to within normal range, thereby facilitating better functioning and emotional stability and tranquility. In such a case, "changing one's attitude" and expecting the disorder to go away is not realistic and can be harmful. Mental health issues are real and need to be addressed by competent, trained professionals.
In terms of your friend, if she feels that her social anxiety is interfering in her functioning and/or relationships, she should seek help from a qualified, frum therapist and/or a qualified, preferably frum psychiatrist (psychiatrists are MDs and therefore qualified to prescribe medication, if needed). Sometimes changes in diet, exercise, sleep, cognitive/dialectical behavioral therapy/self-talk skills, etc. are enough to alleviate anxiety--but not always. If someone needs medication, getting it and taking it responsibly is crucial.
For further information, please see the following sites:
https://www.ou.org/l...-mental-health/
http://www.aish.com/...s/52334087.html - Shani Silverstein, an author who has struggled with mental illness, clarifies many misconceptions regarding mental illness
frumsupport.com - go to the Mental Health section
Hatzlocha!
