What do religious leaders think of biological psychiatry?

TreeOfLife123 · #1 Jun 22, '12, 7:04 am

Do religious leaders believe that biological psychiatry is good? The actual biological aspects such as chemical theories or modern drugs used and other treatments that are physical rather than talk therapy or spiritual.

Do they honor the profession and respect it and think it's good?

If they do, what is their line of thinking?

I would really like to know the answer to these questions.

And please provide factual information rather than your personal opinion. Thank you.

TreeOfLife123 · #2 Jun 22, '12, 7:41 am

I'm sorry I wrote this in the wrong section. I meant for it to go to religions other than Catholic section. Oh well.

andremiguel · #3 Jun 22, '12, 8:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeOfLife123

Do religious leaders believe that biological psychiatry is good? The actual biological aspects such as chemical theories or modern drugs used and other treatments that are physical rather than talk therapy or spiritual.

Do they honor the profession and respect it and think it's good?

If they do, what is their line of thinking?

I would really like to know the answer to these questions.

And please provide factual information rather than your personal opinion. Thank you.

It is funny though your distinction between "factual information" from "personal opinion". What would be in Catholic Theology "factual information" ?

And what would be "personal opinion" ? Would St. Augustin Opinion be interesting or useless? What about if the person who replied here was a Cardinal ?

Intriguing...

meltzerboy · #4 Jun 22, '12, 8:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeOfLife123

Do religious leaders believe that biological psychiatry is good? The actual biological aspects such as chemical theories or modern drugs used and other treatments that are physical rather than talk therapy or spiritual.

Do they honor the profession and respect it and think it's good?

If they do, what is their line of thinking?

I would really like to know the answer to these questions.

And please provide factual information rather than your personal opinion. Thank you.

There is no doctrine in either Catholicism or Judaism that is opposed to the use of biological psychiatry, including medication, for the alleviation of psychological suffering. Most religious leaders do honor and respect the profession. There may be a couple of Protestant denominations that are opposed to it (perhaps Christian Scientists, for example), but the vast majority are also in favor.

TreeOfLife123 · #5 Jun 22, '12, 8:22 am

Factual information regarding the actual question. Meaning what their actual opinion is. The fact about what the opinion is of the leaders. Understand now?

It's pretty obvious what the question was. Too bad you don't understand. I want to know the FACT about what their view is. Understand now?

It's pretty obvious yet you have to make it into a garbled mess.

**Joe 5859** · #6 Jun 22, '12, 8:24 am

Hopefully you consider the Catechism to be factual.

CCC 159 Faith and science: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." [37] "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are." [38]

[37] Dei Filius 4: DS 3017.
[38] GS 36 § 1.

and

CCC 2292 Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health.

CCC 2293 Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man's dominion over creation. Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress. Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.

TreeOfLife123 · #7 Jun 22, '12, 9:46 am

Thank you Meltzerboy. I will have to give this all more thought and seek understanding from the Creator.

Regardless of their view on this issue it does seem I need the Catholic Church though. I believe strongly that I do.

**Dale_M** · #8 Jun 22, '12, 9:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeOfLife123

I can say that my personal experience has not been one of an alleviation of suffering by taking certain medicines. In fact I have suffered worse from certain medicines than how I was prior to taking them. I believe the actual suffering from psychiatry is what played a major role in leading me to Christ. .

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, as President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, gave a speech in 2006 about the treatment of persons with mental illness.

Its a difficult read, perhaps partly because English is not his first language, but also because he is a cardinal. Church officials aren't known for the clarity of their prose.

Still, he makes a point similar to your own experience:

Quote:

On the other hand, when referring to the treatment of a mentally ill person, Psychiatry presents a wide grey area of uncertainties that clinical practice and scientific research help to identify under three different aspects: the precariousness of the theories on mental illnesses and therapeutic strategies, the high emotional involvement of the mental health care professional and the technology. Some scholars believe that the level of technology in Psychiatry is indeed low, in fact the therapy used is not technological but interpersonal.[7]

http://www.catholicculture.org/cultu...fm?recnum=6824

He stresses the need for holistic care, which treats all dimensions of a person, not just the physical dimension. But he also notes that medication can sometimes be helpful and that it should be made available to patients who will benefit from it.

TreeOfLife123 · #9 Jun 22, '12, 10:07 am

How nice of you Dale. You answered my question beautifully I believe. I am greatful and may the Lord bless you!

I just was confused. Thank you so much for your kind and helpful answer. I will save it.

meltzerboy · #10 Jun 22, '12, 10:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeOfLife123

Thank you Meltzerboy. I will have to give this all more thought and seek understanding from the Creator.

Regardless of their view on this issue it does seem I need the Catholic Church though. I believe strongly that I do.

It's not an either-or situation. Therapy can be combined with faith. Any psychiatrist or clinical psychologist worth their salt realizes this. And within therapy itself, so-called non-specific factors, including trust in the therapist and the therapist's empathy for the patient, play an essential role in one's recovery.

anon1234567 · #11 Jun 22, '12, 10:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeOfLife123

Do religious leaders believe that biological psychiatry is good? The actual biological aspects such as chemical theories or modern drugs used and other treatments that are physical rather than talk therapy or spiritual.

Do they honor the profession and respect it and think it's good?

If they do, what is their line of thinking?

I would really like to know the answer to these questions.

And please provide factual information rather than your personal opinion. Thank you.

Hi, did I send you a PM?

TreeOfLife123 · #12 Jun 22, '12, 11:44 am

Anon, you didn't send me a PM.

TreeOfLife123 · #13 Jun 22, '12, 1:12 pm

Let me say this please. I'm SORRY if I hurt anyone's feelings or upset them with this post. I sincerely wasn't trying to "stir the pot". I really wanted to know the opinion just to know of the leaders. I didn't know how else to get the answer.

I feel Dale_M's answer was what helped me understand the most.

But thanks to all. And I apologize to the person I was a little rude to.