Where does the WBTS stand on Anti Depressants?

LizardSnot

First, some background info:
My mother is a 4 meeting a week, no field service, 26 year veteran
of the Jehovah's Witness who just moved in
with us shortly before her divorce was final with my dad.

She takes 4 different medications including the following:
(1) antidepressant
(1) antipsycotic
(1) sleeping prescription
(1) thyroid prescription

She can't hold a job, listens in on all of our phone calls, can't
be left alone, has to have us constantly around her, but she
insists on "Relying on Jehovah" while taking all her precious meds.
The local elders are no help because they are encouraging her to
continue with her meds and sign up for social security and all the
welfare benefits that she can get. One of the elders is on meds
and S.S. too.
He informed Mom that if she needs help figuring out the "system",
that he would be glad to help, because
he knows of a lawyer that "never looses these cases".

So, to make a long story short. I went to www.watchtower.org to
see what their views on meds are.

Guess what? They don't have any.

With such a high incidence of pill poppers in the organization,
what can they say? They've already taken away Christmas, Birthdays,
Thanksgiving, Easter, Oral Sex, bible debate, free will...the list goes
on and on.
Surely they wouldn't take away the MEDS too!!!
Why not just let them smoke pot while they're at it. From what I've
read the side effects from what she is taking are far worse than
"over the curb" drugs.

You'll love this. The side effects are as follows:
-shuffling of feet and slowed walking pace
-blurred vision
-anxiety? (isn't that what we are trying to treat here?)
-lack of emotion

I would be pleased to see what the WTBS view on medication is.
There was an article on their website that talked about the dangers
of taking an aspirin a day.

Good start!

Lizard

"Most of what you've ever worried about will never come to pass"
-Heard from John Hagee on TBN

drahcir yarrum

If they are prescribed by a licensed physician, I think the society has no position on them. If they do have an anti-position on mood altering prescripton drugs, then they need to talk to about 75% of all circuit and district overseers wives. They always appeared to be zombied up on something during my years as a JW.

I would like to get a T-shirt that advertises Prozac on the front and says, "Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut" on the back. Anyone know where I can get one?

LizardSnot

I want one of those t-shirts too drahcir!

Blood is prescribed by licensed physicians as well ;)

I am willing to bet that if I went to a doctor and said, "I'm always
depressed and it won't go away"; they would do some token blood
work and give me a prescription ASAP weather I had the problem or
not.

Pathofthorns

I also agree there is heavy use of anti-depressants among the higher-ups in the organization. Especially CO wives and middle-aged married couples at bethel. So I doubt they would condemn the use of them.

Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with the short-term use of these drugs when they are necessary, but I think they can be an artificial means to cope with living in an artifical environment.

If more people treated the causes instead of the symptoms by altering their way of living and thinking etc., then they might find they do not need these sorts of medications for extended periods or even at all.

Path

Ranchette

Our CO stayed with us on one of his visits he was on the antianxiety drug xanax.

50% or more of our congregation is on antidepressents,antianxiety drugs,sleeping pills,narcitic pain and musle relaxers,and we must not forget alcohol.All the congs I'm aware of are this way too.
The JW's are tired,depressed, and suffering mentaly and emotionally.
Ranchette

Bgurltryal

Depresion, and many other mental illnesses, is often a CHEMICAL disorder. It doesn't matter how much therapy or what type of support network you have your brain is chemically deficient and unfortunately prescription drugs are often the only way to treat it. A big factor is WHICH ones to prescribe. What works for some people can have too many negative side effects to others to be useful.

Although i do agree that it is often an easy way out for many doctors. Else where in the world it is not as easy to be diagnosed, let alone treated for, many mental illnesses.

There are many instances where leaving a bad situation would alieviate the persons depression. Just wanted to give mah two cents that it is a necessity for some people to take medication.

closer2fine

.
closer

Mean People Produce
Little Mean People

BoozeRunner

Not to trivialize anyone with a medical problem leading to depression, but.....

If the inane drivel spewed by the WTS can spur a chemical imbalance, then anti-depressants shold be administered EVERY Sunday b4 the meeting because a "happy dub" is a "good dub."

"better living thru chemistry"'
boozy

TheOldHippie

Sorry to disappoint you, Ranchette, but in none of the congregations I know of, is the situation like the one you mention. See how dangerous it is to generalize based on the meager experiences we personally have?

LittleToe

OldHippie:

I apologise, in advance, if you're joking...
...but I fail to see the danger in Ranchette's hyperbole.

LT

Where does the WBTS stand on Anti Depressants?

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