Can Catholics Take Psychiatric Medication?
- Magazine Editor
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Dr. Albert Pace
Clinical Director
St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities
Many Catholics worry about taking medication for mental health concerns. This concern has only increased in recent years, as distrust of the pharmaceutical industry has grown. While the topic of psychiatric medication is very broad, there are several common concerns that Catholics express when this conversation arises in therapy.
Common Concern 1: Fear of Over-Reliance on Medication
Fear: Psychiatric medication is a quick fix to mental health issues that neglects the complexity of a person’s problems and their responsibility in addressing those problems.
Interestingly, anyone who has taken psychiatric medication will tell you that there is very little that is quick or easy about it. Many medications take weeks to months to begin working, and often there is a trial-and-error period to find an effective medication. Even when the right medication is found and there is some relief from psychological distress, medication is not the proverbial “silver bullet” to life’s problems, since they have biological, social, psychological and spiritual factors. Medication simply addresses one factor that may be at play, namely, the biological. For nearly everyone in therapy, there is much more work to be done that goes well beyond taking medication.
While the Catechism discusses the dangers of abusing medication and substances, it also discusses the importance of using science (medication) in the service of the human person and their dignity (CCC 2294). The goal of using psychiatric medication is to free up a person from daily suffering so that they can more readily work on social, psychological and spiritual factors that are impacting their daily well-being.
Common Concern 2: Fear of Addiction or Side Effects
Fear: Psychiatric medications create chemical dependency and addiction, which is harmful in the long run.
Most common psychiatric medications, when prescribed and taken appropriately, are not addictive. While there are some medications used in mental health care that have a potential for abuse, the vast majority do not produce euphoria when taken, nor do they induce cravings when not taken. Some medications can be challenging to discontinue but working closely with your prescriber when going up or down in dosage can help mitigate these symptoms.
Managing unwanted side effects from taking medication is not unique to psychiatric medication. Some people who take medications for their mental health will have very few difficulties with side effects, while others will have many. The type of medication, dosage, medication interactions and a person’s genetic makeup all play a role in the quantity and intensity of side effects a person experiences. Working closely with your prescriber to address side effects and discuss options for managing them will help tremendously.
Common Concern 3: Fear of Medication Being Ineffective or Dangerous
Fear: Psychiatric medication doesn't work for most people, and it can be dangerous.
Like all treatments for health conditions, there is nothing that works for every single person. Most people have heard of instances in which a person took some type of psychiatric medication and did not improve or only got worse. Although these examples exist, large studies have shown numerous times that both psychiatric medication and psychotherapy are effective ways to treat mental health concerns. In fact, evidence suggests that combining the two leads to the best clinical outcomes.1
While there is some risk associated with psychiatric medication, this is not unique to this classification of pharmaceuticals. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) leads to over 50,000 emergency room visits and 500 deaths annually in the United States, but nearly everyone has a bottle in their medicine cabinet.2 Just like any other medication, being informed of the risks, side effects and how to use it responsibly is important. Likewise, staying in good communication with your prescriber, your therapist and any other healthcare providers you have about the medications you are taking is essential to managing any risk.
Final Thoughts
The choice to take psychiatric medication to address a mental health concern is an important and personal decision that each person should consider prayerfully. Take the time to speak with your healthcare provider, your therapist, your family and even your priest to discern what is best for you. But do not let fear or inaccurate information be the primary reasons you avoid seeking help.
God wants you to get better!
End Notes
Kamenov K, Twomey C, Cabello M, Prina AM, Ayuso-Mateos JL. The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2017 Feb;47(3):414-425. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002774. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27780478; PMCID: PMC5244449.
Agrawal S, Murray BP, Khazaeni B. Acetaminophen Toxicity. [Updated 2025 Apr 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441917/.
