Is it a sin to not take your prescribed medication?

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. I believe I started a similar thread a while back but I did a search for it and couldn’t find it. Anyway, I take anti-depressants and anti-psychotics because I have three mental disorders: major depression (with psychotic features), borderline personality disorder, and adult ADHD. I can become very depressed and sometimes even suicidal if I do not take my medicine. However, I hate taking my medicine. So I ask, is it a sin to skip taking my medicine?

 

[Catholic90]

If the medicine allows you to function more “normally”, I would say it would be a sin to skip it (and very unwise if not taking it makes you suicidal). We can’t give medical advice on here, though, so talk to your doctor about what you do not like about your medications and maybe also to a priest to see what he says.

 

[Zundrah]

Don’t be so silly! Where in the bible does it say that!? You are being over cautious. But hey, if you might be suicidal because you don’t take your medicine then maybe you should keep taking the medicine? Don’t want you to die, do we? God gave you the body you walk in and the life you have now, he created your soul… If you are in danger of potentually destroying your self, then for the love of God - TAKE YOUR MEDICINE!!!
He made you so that he could share his life with you. If we (the human race) didn’t exist, then I’m sure God wouldn’t be as happy as he is with us living with him now! He loves what he made and we can glorify him by giving our lives to christ. Don’t put your life in risk.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Don’t be so silly! Where in the bible does it say that!?

Please remember that this is a Catholic Forum and the Bible is not our only source.

Here is something I found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

I think taking reasonable care would include taking prescribed medications, especially when they are for mental disorders that could cause someone to harm themselves or others.

 

[Holly3278]

Please remember that this is a Catholic Forum and the Bible is not our only source.

Here is something I found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

I think taking reasonable care would include taking prescribed medications, especially when they are for mental disorders that could cause someone to harm themselves or others.

Hmm, ok. I think that taking medication would count as reasonable care as well. So I guess maybe it is a sin to not take my medicine.

Oh and don’t worry, I took my medicine already earlier today.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Hmm, ok. I think that taking medication would count as reasonable care as well. So I guess maybe it is a sin to not take my medicine.

Oh and don’t worry, I took my medicine already earlier today.

That’s good. I do not think it would be a mortal sin, unless you are prone to hurt yourself or others when you do not take it.

I will remember you and your intentions in my daily prayers and place your name in our book of intentions.

 

[Holly3278]

That’s good. I do not think it would be a mortal sin, unless you are prone to hurt yourself or others when you do not take it.

I will remember you and your intentions in my daily prayers and place your name in our book of intentions.

Oh thanks!

 

[human_being]

I have experience dealing with these types of medicines, although they have never been prescribed to me. They are very hard to deal with. I’d say that you must take them for now. And I’d also say that the world needs to find a better way to deal with these type of problems and we should all pray very hard for a more God and church centered alternative. Do what your doctor says even though I know it is hell for you. But life is hell for you when you don’t take the meds also. I see your problems daily in my household and I know what your going through. Keep praying and keep posting about it. I’m hoping one day God and the church will turn their spotlight on your type of problems, because I deeply feel that the meds and the people who prescribe them need to be looked at harder by the church. But you must take them until that day comes, for yours, and the people around your sake. Please have faith and keep praying and know that there are others praying with you.

 

[Holly3278]

I have experience dealing with these types of medicines, although they have never been prescribed to me. They are very hard to deal with. I’d say that you must take them for now. And I’d also say that the world needs to find a better way to deal with these type of problems and we should all pray very hard for a more God and church centered alternative. Do what your doctor says even though I know it is hell for you. But life is hell for you when you don’t take the meds also. I see your problems daily in my household and I know what your going through. Keep praying and keep posting about it. I’m hoping one day God and the church will turn their spotlight on your type of problems, because I deeply feel that the meds and the people who prescribe them need to be looked at harder by the church. But you must take them until that day comes, for yours, and the people around your sake. Please have faith and keep praying and know that there are others praying with you.

Believe me when I say that I wish there was a God centered alternative. I have prayed and prayed for healing. I even went to a renowned healing priest’s healing service. So far, God hasn’t healed me. I think that it may just be my cross to bear.

 

[tbcrawford]

Hi Holly3278 I care for someone who has mental health conditions similar to you and I love her very much, she is one of my sisters.She needs to take a great deal of medication each day.It is hard for me at times to watch her suffer. I will pray for you Holly,you are not alone.God loves you and all of us, His children.You are precious.My thoughts and prayers and love to you xx

 

[budgie2]

Hi, Holly. I’ve got two brothers who both suffer from schizophrenia and are in care homes. The doctors are there to help you although it’s not nice to have to take medicine every day. You have to work with the doctors and the other people taking care of you and then if you feel better they may reduce your medication at some point. If you just skip it then they will not think you are helping them and might keep your medication as it is. I would not take any contraceptive pill as this is against the Church’s teaching. My brother takes five fish oils a day which really helped him. I hope you are feeling well and sorry if I offended you on your other link about breastfeeding being abortifacient.

 

[human_being]

Believe me when I say that I wish there was a God centered alternative. I have prayed and prayed for healing. I even went to a renowned healing priest’s healing service. So far, God hasn’t healed me. I think that it may just be my cross to bear.

I prayed for you at Exposition today. Keep talking to people and praying. And get to Mass as much as you can.

 

[Mintaka]

Think of it this way.

Jesus is the Good Physician, and talks about taking medicine as well as doing the extraordinary healing stuff. Therefore, your doctor and your medicine are a God-centered alternative.

Although your doctor probably didn’t get told by his med school when he graduated, “You are a physician according to the order of Melchizedek.”

 

[bobzills]

Hi everyone. I believe I started a similar thread a while back but I did a search for it and couldn’t find it. Anyway, I take anti-depressants and anti-psychotics because I have three mental disorders: major depression (with psychotic features), borderline personality disorder, and adult ADHD. I can become very depressed and sometimes even suicidal if I do not take my medicine. However, I hate taking my medicine. So I ask, is it a sin to skip taking my medicine?

You have to be responsible with your health. However, I am not sure if this would require you under pain of sin to take your much hated medicine if you were able to find some reasonable alternative.

 

[budgie2]

I do not know your individual circumstances Holly or if you live at home or have special care. For my brothers it is important that they take their doctors advice otherwise the doctor might increase their medicine or won’t bring it down for a long time. Sometimes they have a come back. I would ask your parents if they think it’s right for you to take your medicine or your sister or brother. I do believe in divine healing. My brother went to Confession every week when he had bad thoughts and suffered from depression so I would encourage you to go to Confession very often. My brothers are a lot better than they were. Or you could also attend a healing service.

 

[Zundrah]

Please remember that this is a Catholic Forum and the Bible is not our only source.

Here is something I found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

I think taking reasonable care would include taking prescribed medications, especially when they are for mental disorders that could cause someone to harm themselves or others.

Hang on a moment…what is this? - Catechism?:ehh:
What do you guys use other than the bible…?

 

[human_being]

I have one member of my household who takes the meds and one who the school district is recommending to take meds. I have tried in the past to find a boarding -type school for my stepson,hoping that I could find one run by religious brothers or sisters with the church/Eucharist as the center of it’s therapy. I have also looked for a Catholic institution/hospital for another family member with a similar approach, but to no avail. I am not very good at surfing the web and getting anywhere with it too quickly. Maybe you are good at it and could help me?

 

[human_being]

Hang on a moment…what is this? - Catechism?:ehh:
What do you guys use other than the bible…?

We use the Bible, Church tradition, the Catechism, Cannon Law, Papal Encyclicals, other things and direction from the Pope. But if you have come to this thread to argue about this kind of apologetics,please debate in another thread for this one seems to be more personal and sensitive.

 

[Zundrah]

We use the Bible, Church tradition, the Catechism, Cannon Law, Papal Encyclicals, other things and direction from the Pope. But if you have come to this thread to argue about this kind of apologetics,please debate in another thread for this one seems to be more personal and sensitive.

I probably wrote it the wrong way…
Don’t go thinking I’m here to argue, I never heard of the catechism before.

Anyway there is a scripture that says something like; God made your body and you have no authority to change any part of it, in or out. Or take your own life because he gave it to you.
So if you don’t take the medicine, then you are allowing your own personnal destruction. It wouldn’t be a good idea to do what you know would be harmful to yourself.
God made your body, cell by cell, so do the best you can to care for it. It is Gods temple after all. He is inside of you.:bounce::heaven:

 

[Zundrah]

I have one member of my household who takes the meds and one who the school district is recommending to take meds. I have tried in the past to find a boarding -type school for my stepson,hoping that I could find one run by religious brothers or sisters with the church/Eucharist as the center of it’s therapy. I have also looked for a Catholic institution/hospital for another family member with a similar approach, but to no avail. I am not very good at surfing the web and getting anywhere with it too quickly. Maybe you are good at it and could help me?

I do know that if you go to your doctor he can give you connections and advice on this. He should have the means of being able to contact such institutions.:juggle: