Reply To: Orthodox Jews and Psychology

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yytz
Participant

Orthodox Jewish attitudes toward psychotherapy and psychiatric medications run the gamut. There are those who have no problem with them whatsoever — there are Orthodox Jews who are mainstream psychologists and psychiatrists, for example.

Then there are others who are completely against them. Some have come up with their own forms of therapy (based on chassidus, for example Zev Ballen). It’s possible their forms of therapy work as well or better than secular forms, since a lot of therapy involves trying to replace negative thought patterns with positive ones, and we have a long history of that in Yiddishkeit as well. (Gamzu l’tovah, “think well and it will be well,” emunah/bitachon, etc.) Numerous studies show that the positive psychological and health impact of prayer and meditation. (A study showed that psychology professors had the highest rate of atheism compared to all other academic disciplines, 80% or so — this something to consider as well, because therapists can influence their clients.)

And then there are those in the middle, who may be skeptical of some aspects of psychology and the use of medication, but in a case of great need would be comfortable using a good (hopefully frum psychologist) or medications as a last resort.

My own view is that medications should be used far less than they are, because of side effects, dependency, and the evidence showing that non-medical interventions (exercise, meditation, prayer, even dark chocolate) work as well or better than medications in improving mood.