When Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals, some skeptics called them “devil eyes.” These skeptics were legalistic Christians who believed that if one had enough faith in God, then a person’s eyesight would be healed. These legalistic ideologies thrust loads of false guilt upon those unlucky enough to experience the physical problem of bad eyesight. Nowadays, no one condemns glasses, aspirin, penicillin, or migraine medications, but many people condemn taking medication for such physiological ailments as depression, O.C.D., anxiety, mood swings, schizophrenia, social phobia, paranoia, and A.D.H.D. These people fail to realize that these mental problems stem not from a spiritual source but a physiological source: the problem lies not in the person, but the person’s organ (the brain). If someone suffers a heart attack and needs a pacemaker, no one objects; but if someone goes on anti-depressants, objections come from every direction. “Why?” I want to know. “Is the brain not an organ just like the heart, submissive to a fallen state and possible degradation?”

Because of the Fall, the whole scope of creation—from galaxies to microbe—is undergoing degradation. The creation is falling apart more and more each day (though, one day, God will restore it to its original beauty and goodness). This degradation takes place in our bodies as well, and one of the organs that is submissive to the curse of the fallen creation is the brain. The majority of mental illnesses stem from an imbalance in four main brain chemicals: serotonin, dopamine, G.A.B.A., and norepinephrine.

Serotonin is the leading culprit in most cases of depression. Serotonin is made only in the brain, floating in the synapses (or spaces) between our 40 billion brain and nerve cells. “Reuptake Sites” keep the serotonin in balance. When the serotonin is in balance, it helps the person experience love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, and meekness. It also helps provide energy during the day and great sleep at night. When the serotonin is out-of-balance (a result of the Fall), the person does not experience its effects very well. The person becomes depressed, unloving, impatient, fatigued, withdrawn, guilt-ridden, “pained”, irritable, less gentle, and has a hard time exercising self-control.

Dopamine gives the person sanity. When the dopamine is out-of-balance, the person may experience three levels of “insanity.” First, the person may have difficulty holding thoughts or experience paranoia. More severely, the person may begin hearing audible voices, often saying negative things about them (“Is this God? An angel? A demon?” None of the above! It is a dopamine deficiency!). In the most severe cases, the person becomes delusional, sometimes even to the point of believing he or she is God or Jesus Christ.

G.A.B.A. (Gamma-Amino-Butyric-Acid) helps curb worries, lessen shyness, provide muscle relaxation, and ease substance abuse. Those with deficient levels of G.A.B.A. experience lots of anxiety, paranoia, and may become easily addicted to substances.

Norepinephrine helps regulate a person’s energy, motivation, sexual pleasure, and it also helps improve mental focus. Those with low norepinephrine may experience sexual dysfunction, chronic fatigue, forgetfulness, lessened motivation, and depression. Those with high norepinephrine may experience anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks.

When these four brain amines (serotonin, dopamine, G.A.B.A., and norepinephrine) work together as God created them to, the person feels better and enjoys life more, despite the circumstances. However, those with deficiencies in these amines experience mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and A.D.H.D. (to name a few).

Exploring my own life and reflecting on the doctor’s diagnosis, I am pretty sure I have low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin (resulting in bipolar disorder, also known as “manic-depression”). Some people may tell me, “You need to get right with God and everything will get better.” Do we say this to paraplegics who are in wheel-chairs? If not, then why do some people become so eager to condemn those with different physiological ailments? I cannot say it enough: those who suffer mental disorders are no better or worse than anyone else, they simply have a physiological problem that can be treated (though not totally cured).

“How am I going about treating my disorder?” Three specific ways.

First, I am taking medicine and eating the right nutrients. Second, I am going to start going to counseling (I hear it works wonders, and I hope it will help me deal with the depression). Third, I am deepening my intimacy with God. While the root of the problem is physiological, we are spiritual beings and I truly believe that God has an active power and that He can strengthen me and even transform me through these difficult times.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers: my wonderful family first, and then my wonderful friends (Caleb, Julie, Emily, Jessica, Monica, and Tim to name a few). Your prayers and encouragement mean so much more than you know!