I am a Christian with Bi-polar II and anxiety disorder. I have not read your book, but went to your site for some reassurance. Instead I was disturbed to read that you believe that people should not seek help from a psychologist or medication for mental disease. Would you turn someone away from medication for diabetes? Bi-polar is a chemical imbalance. It is not a disease of choice or lack of faith in Christ. I struggle with this disease daily even with the help of medication. I start every day with Bible reading and prayer. I have asked God to take this debilitating disease from me, however He has not removed my illness at this time. Even Paul asked God three times to remove the "thorn in his side." On all three occasions God did not remove it. Sometimes God answers no to our requests. God has some reason for me to have bi-polar. Maybe it is to educate people like you.

--DR, Internet (4/10/05)

Thank you for your email.

You ask, "Would you turn someone away from medication for diabetes?" Bipolar and anxiety are mental conditions, while diabetes is a physical (medical) condition. We cannot rightly call bipolar and anxiety "diseases," because there is no medical model that proves this. No one in the medical field, including psychiatry, has been able to prove that ANY of the mental diagnoses of the DSM (including depression and bipolar) are physiological in nature. This is a popular myth.

You say, "Bipolar is a chemical imbalance." How do you know this? Did you take a medical test that showed you had a chemical imbalance in your brain? Did you have the doctor measure the type and amount of the chemical you lacked, and give you a prescription for the amount you needed? Your doctor didn't give you a test, but a conversation at least, or a questionnaire at most, followed by a drug prescription with a best-guess dosage. Psychiatry resembles witchcraft more than science.

You are absolutely correct about Paul's thorn. God did not remove it. But remember what Christ said to Paul - He didn't simply say "no" to Paul's request and leave him hopeless. He also didn't refer Paul to a psychiatrist for medication. No, He told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Cor. 12:9)

Christ's grace is sufficient for you, as it was sufficient for all the saints long before psychology and bipolar were ever invented. Christ wants to show you His strength, stability and peace in your life as you lean only on Him for support. He has everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

You do not have "illnesses" and "diseases" over which you have no control, and they are not medical, implying the need to take medication to treat them. Depression and anxiety can stem from a lot of factors, and our book and audio resources discuss them in detail. But whatever the cause may be, God wants to be the doctor of our souls.

Awhile back we had a pastor contact us about his depression and use of psychiatric medications - you might find our response to him helpful: http://www.psychologydebunked.com/email0408_Q&A.htm

Ryan and Lisa Bazler

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