Could clinical depression be genetic? Or what about schizophrenia? Why does it matter? If there are indeed genes for some or many “mental illnesses” then lifelong medication with the accompanying side effects would seem inevitable. But even though the notion of genes for mental illnesses are readily (and uncritically) accepted by some well-known Christian authors, it does not stand up to rigorous scientific scrutiny. Dr Jay Joseph’s book “The Gene Illusion: Genetic research in psychiatry and psychology under the microscope”, for example, makes this abundantly clear. This message discusses how schizophrenia, for example, cannot be “genetic”. Since “mental illness” itself is an invention of the modern era, this message also looks at the “politics” of psychiatric diagnoses, prescription “tunnel vision” and the shifting names of diagnoses to increase market share for pharmaceutical companies and psychiatry. In particular, we note (according to psychiatrists) how women who allowed personal abuse and violence were diagnosed with “masochistic personality disorder”. This message is an excerpt from a teaching seminar. A more detailed treatment of this topic can be found in Dr Mulitze’s book, “Pills for the Soul?“.
Healing Prayer and Wholeness 