Can certain types of medication suppress spirituality?

[Mr. Ignorant]

I'm starting to have quite some doubts about the medication I receive. I'm talking about methylphenidate (like Ritalin) and antidepressant. At first I was happy with it, but the more familiar I get with the medication, the more skeptical I become. I've a strong feeling that it's suppressing my spiritual side. I don't like that.

So I stopped taking the antidepressant without consulting my psychiatrist (I didn't think he would approve and I hate being under someone else's control). That may have been foolish and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, but I wanted to exert my own free will because I felt I wasn't doing that enough. This feeling was stronger than my fear of the risks. It's been two weeks now. I've become more insecure, frightened, and annoyed than before. But you know what? I like this better. This may sound weird, but I feel more human now and have a better grasp of what's wrong with me. I can get upset about losing at computer games again, like when I was a child. That means I've things I care about. I was lacking that somewhat before. I believe that these feelings are necessary for spirituality. Without feelings, you have no soul.

Do you believe certain types of medication can suppress spirituality? And is spirituality important? And if it is, can it be beneficial in some cases to suppress it anyway? For example take someone who is considered to be psychotic, because he can't handle his spiritual nature (not implying that all psychotic people are only having difficulties dealing with their spiritual nature). Should he get medication? Or should he learn to deal with his spiritual nature? What about someone who can't concentrate very well without Ritalin?

I wonder what you guys think.

[labelwench]

I'm starting to have quite some doubts about the medication I receive. I'm talking about methylphenidate (like Ritalin) and antidepressant. At first I was happy with it, but the more familiar I get with the medication, the more skeptical I become. I've a strong feeling that it's suppressing my spiritual side. I don't like that.

So I stopped taking the antidepressant without consulting my psychiatrist (I didn't think he would approve and I hate being under someone else's control). That may have been foolish and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, but I wanted to exert my own free will because I felt I wasn't doing that enough. This feeling was stronger than my fear of the risks. It's been two weeks now. I've become more insecure, frightened, and annoyed than before. But you know what? I like this better. This may sound weird, but I feel more human now and have a better grasp of what's wrong with me. I can get upset about losing at computer games again, like when I was a child. That means I've things I care about. I was lacking that somewhat before. I believe that these feelings are necessary for spirituality. Without feelings, you have no soul.

Do you believe certain types of medication can suppress spirituality? And is spirituality important? And if it is, can it be beneficial in some cases to suppress it anyway? For example take someone who is considered to be psychotic, because he can't handle his spiritual nature (not implying that all psychotic people are only having difficulties dealing with their spiritual nature). Should he get medication? Or should he learn to deal with his spiritual nature? What about someone who can't concentrate very well without Ritalin?

I wonder what you guys think.

Hello MI.

Mother (capitalized because I use the term as a proper noun/name and in this case to start a sentence ) and I have long discussions in regard to medications and when/where we should allow them into daily life. We also regard all vitamins and supplements to have effect upon one's body chemistry to varying degree and though most of these are available on the shelf, they should be used with care.

Then there is the food that our generation eats, particularly NPF or non-perishable food, which includes everything with a shelf-life of more than a few months, often into years. In stocking the shelves and rotating product, I see we are putting out food that has a best before date extending into Dec of 2013. Such food is excellent to have on hand in the event of emergencies and canned goods are generally rodent proof, though heavy and need to be protected from freezing, yet I would not suggest they are the path to optimum health.

Back to your question about medications suppressing spiritual and other development. All things which we put into our body have effect and medications have quicker and more predictable effect, IMO.

One needs to examine and understand WHY medications are being prescribed and then examine and compare both the medicated state and non-medicated state, if one (or their care-giver) is in a position to do so, to determine WHAT IS BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

I would suggest that many medications are a quick fix, and we live in a society that has become accustomed to treating the symptom, rather than examining the cause. Look at obesity as one very observable disorder of our times. Persons seek 'diet pills' and other quick fixes, when lifestyle change is the proven path to take. The lifestyle change must continue, however, and many persons are not committed to taking care of themselves, physically or spiritually, for the long term. Some have not been taught the means, while others are not inclined to do the work, for it requires effort and self-discipline. The path of least resistance has a natural appeal to water, electricity and humans, we being largely beings of water and electro-magnetic energy.

You seem to be on a path of enquiry, and it is my thought that such is a good path to follow. Some foods and medications can be very beneficial during various times of need in our life, as with diabetes, a disorder which some can manage just with diet and lifestyle choice, while others would not survive without insulin, a drug which has saved and prolonged the lives of many, both human and pet.

Your life. Your journey. Only you have the full experience of being who you are, physically and spiritually, and I appreciate that you have shared a piece of your personal path and remain interested in your observations of changes effected by yourself and the outcomes. I wish you safe passage in these interesting times.