Moral Dilema with mental illness

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larsenl1

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I have a moral dilema and it was not answered on Ask an Apologist. Probably because it did not fit a wide audience.

If a female with serious mental illness is taking medication that is known to cause birth defects, is it morally permissible to be prescribed Depo Provera birth control? This female cannot legally give consent for sex, but is compelled to seek out sex and may not be supervised 24 hours a day.

Thank you in advance
 
My understanding is that chemical contraceptives are essentially always morally unacceptable. In normal circumstances, somebody on drugs that might cause birth defects would be expected to abstain from sex (or, if married, either abstain or use NFP depending on the circumstances).

But throwing mental illness and sexual compulsions into the mix certainly makes it a more complex moral issue…

I would guess that the proper course is to try and find an alternative to the drug that causes birth defects (if at all possible) and supervise this person as much as possible. If she still manages to get pregnant, well, God has His reasons and hopefully the child will be healthy and well. We must always remember that, even in the direst and least ideal of situations, children are a *blessing *not a curse or a burden!

I know this is not a very definitive (or helpful) answer. I would really recommend that you speak with a Priest about the situation, and he should hopefully be able to weigh the issues and provide good, concrete guidance. I will pray for you (and the person you are speaking of).
 
achmafooma said:
My understanding is that chemical contraceptives are essentially always morally unacceptable. In normal circumstances, somebody on drugs that might cause birth defects would be expected to abstain from sex (or, if married, either abstain or use NFP depending on the circumstances).

But throwing mental illness and sexual compulsions into the mix certainly makes it a more complex moral issue…

I would guess that the proper course is to try and find an alternative to the drug that causes birth defects (if at all possible) and supervise this person as much as possible. **If she still manages to get pregnant, well, God has His reasons and hopefully the child will be healthy and well. We must always remember that, even in the direst and least ideal of situations, children are a *blessing ***not a curse or a burden!

I know this is not a very definitive (or helpful) answer. I would really recommend that you speak with a Priest about the situation, and he should hopefully be able to weigh the issues and provide good, concrete guidance. I will pray for you (and the person you are speaking of).
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👍

I agree with all of this post, but selected this passage as being particularly insightful.

larsen1l, I am sorry that your question wasn’t answered in Ask An Apologist. It would seem to me to be the sort of question which most deserves an answer there. You must be in a very difficult position, and getting the best Catholic guidance you can is very important.

I will pray for you, and the woman you are posting about.

~ Edmundus
Hey, achmafooma, I just saw that this is post #1 for you! Welcome to CAF (Catholic Answers Forums)! :):tiphat:
 
Thank you. Ironic that you said children are a blessing not a curse. It is my child who is presenting me this dilemma. A child with a mental illness, including hypersexuality, is my own cross to bear. I love her dearly. But it is challenging.

I did speak with a priest. He asked me to contact the Paul VI Center. I had asked for a dispensation but he wants additional expert information. The medication is an anti-psychotic and anti-hallucinogen. We are reducing the dosage.

So I thought I would also post on the forum. Thank you all for your prayers.
 
larsenl1 said:
Thank you. Ironic that you said children are a blessing not a curse. It is my child who is presenting me this dilemma. A child with a mental illness, including hypersexuality, is my own cross to bear. I love her dearly. But it is challenging.

I did speak with a priest. He asked me to contact the Paul VI Center. I had asked for a dispensation but he wants additional expert information. The medication is an anti-psychotic and anti-hallucinogen. We are reducing the dosage.

So I thought I would also post on the forum. Thank you all for your prayers.
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I suspected as much, but didn’t want to assume. I can only imagine the challenges that you are facing. I will continue to pray for you and her.

If you’re willing to share what guidance you get from the Paul VI Center, I’d be interested to know what they say.

God bless you!

Edmundus1581 - thanks for the welcome 🙂 been lurking a long time and thought it was time to start contributing!
 
larsenl1 said:
Thank you. Ironic that you said children are a blessing not a curse. It is my child who is presenting me this dilemma. A child with a mental illness, including hypersexuality, is my own cross to bear. I love her dearly. But it is challenging.

I did speak with a priest. He asked me to contact the Paul VI Center. I had asked for a dispensation but he wants additional expert information. The medication is an anti-psychotic and anti-hallucinogen. We are reducing the dosage.

So I thought I would also post on the forum. Thank you all for your prayers.
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I will pray for your family - this must be such a heavy burden to bear!
 
I want to thank you for your prayers.

I spoke to someone at the Pope Paul VI Center for Ethics about my situation.

My daughter’s mental illness makes her a vulnerable target for unscrupulous persons and she is truly not able to give consent. Similar to a teacher manipulating a student under the age of consent. So the answer is that under Humanae Vitae there is a paragraph that addresses indirect sterilization as a result of medical treatment. I was given the advice that it would be morally acceptable for my daughter to be prescribed a contraceptive as “prophalaxis against rapist semen” or against anyone who would misuse her due to her mental defect.

I was advised to speak to our psychiatrist about the potential harm introduced by synthesized hormones interacting with the anti-psychotic medications.

It was good to speak to people about this. What I really want is for my daughter to be healed of the mental illness, thereby eliminating the dilemma. But until that happens, at least there is a way to protect her.👍
 
May God bless you and your daughter and that His hand be upon her like an eagle keeping her young under her wing.

Mother Mary keep your child safe under your care.
 
Thank you for following up. I am pleased to hear that there is a morally acceptable way of protecting your daughter. I will continue praying for her and for you!

God bless you.
 
Yay! The Catholic Church DOES have ways and means to protect the defenseless, even through special dispensations. :knight1: :knight2:

Praise God for that!

~Spoken4
 
I see you have a difficult situation. I have 3 grown children. They are all married and happy. Seems like all parents want that for their children. I’ve had some small exposure to mental illness, my dad had drug problems and my son had ADHD, but nothing like what you describe. I’ve seen peoples lives pretty much ruined by drugs for mental illness and argued with another about the need to have her child on drugs for mental health issues.

Seems like you have to judge for yourself if the medicine is good or bad. My son got to the point where he told me he didn’t want to take his medicine any more. My dad was always wanting to get more pills. It was a painful time. Doctors can help and they shouldn’t be ignored, but sometimes God really does provide guidance, or help. Miracles really do happen.

I am glad you have found guidance from the Church that it is ok for you to help your daughter to not get pregnant. Sounds like you worked hard to make sure you did the right thing. You seem like you are going to love your daughter no matter what. Perhaps you will find, in your journey, that God blesses you greatly and in ways you did not think of. Healing is a funny thing. I cannot use my right arm. Many people do not think of me as healed. But they cannot beat me at pool, or golf. Who is healed, and who is not?

Just don’t think God must heal on your terms. He heals in His way. I hope and pray that His healing will be given to your child.
 
Larry, thank you for your comments and prayers. That is what I love about CAF, people really care.

God Bless You.
 
Dear Friend,
I would be equally concerned to protect the young woman from rape. I know there is not always the level of help that people need, but I would hope she would qualify for some kind of facility where she could be protected from exploitation.
 
Viki63 said:
Dear Friend,
I would be equally concerned to protect the young woman from rape. I know there is not always the level of help that people need, but I would hope she would qualify for some kind of facility where she could be protected from exploitation.
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We are quite grateful that we do have adult mental health services. There is a team of 5 professionals working to transition my daughter to life as an adult including a choice of group homes and a job coach. I believe that a lot can be done to protect her, and then we have to trust God.

Thank you!
 
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