When might a Christians consider taking anti-depressants or psychiatric medications?
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Medically speaking, it's a matter for your doctor to discuss with you.
From a doctrinal perspective, there is no one answer.
- Group #1: Some traditions hold that there is no such thing as mental illness at all, and that any depression or other mental illness are the result of sin, or demonic influence.
- Group #2: Others will regard the opinions of the above group as bunk.
- Group #3: Yet others will tell you that in some cases, illness (including mental) could be a either/or medical issue or a spiritual one.
It boils down to what your convictions are. Your convictions are yours alone. They may be influenced by your church, or your peers, or your family, but they are yours alone.
At judgment day, you will stand before God, not anybody else. Your convictions, or your preferences are not for anyone else to decide.
All of that said, I have never once found in Scripture the idea that medical treatment is in any way sinful. The arguments I hear (and I hear them regularly) about not taking anti-depressants, or getting your kids vaccinated are based, not on Scripture, but on personal beliefs and the opinions of their own peers.
The idea that illness is a punishment for sin is one of the oldest pieces of bad advice in the book. (See the book of Job.)
I have seen news stories about people who have died refusing medical treatment and instead, depending on faith.
I happen to fall into group #3 above, with strong leanings toward #2.
I do believe we over-medicate our kids, and use drugs to make things easier on the parents in some cases, but overall, I also believe that God gave us medical knowledge, as well as medicine, because He intends us to use it.
Again, it's going to boil down to your choice. General advice I'd give to anyone:
- Pray about it
- Educate yourself.
- Ask your doctor questions
- Do your best to make an informed decision, one that takes your beliefs, convictions, and personal situation and weighs the options.
- One might call this "Discernment" - something we're called to exercise.
Suggested reading: http://www.learnthebible.org/convictions.html
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