Can stopping all medications be considered suicide?
Your circumstances must be extremely painful for you to have made the difficult decision to stop taking your medications while questioning whether or not your actions were considered suicide. My hope and prayer is that you are surrounded by supportive friends and family as you worked through your choice.
The Bible teaches that human life is sacred, that each life is a gift of intimate value bestowed by God. We are made in the image of God, created with an eternal destiny (Genesis 1:27). Suicide is typically regarded as a deliberate act that causes the intentional death of an individual to relieve their suffering. Because suicide is the intentional taking of God-given life, it is morally wrong. However, withholding or withdrawing a medical treatment that prolongs a dying process is not suicide. The Christian faith teaches that death is a transition from earthly life to eternal life (2 Timothy 4:6-8). When a terminal illness is present, competent adults should be allowed to refuse treatment or request removal of treatment and make preparations for death. This preparation should involve spiritual preparation, legal preparation, and informing loved ones of their wishes through medical care directives, and communicating priorities regarding personal matters.
Your question makes it difficult to discern whether or not you are struggling with a terminal illness. No matter your circumstances, I would offer the following suggestions:
Seek the advice of your medical doctors. Your diagnosis and prognosis would certainly be important factors to consider in any decision regarding the withholding of life-sustaining medications.
Lean on trusted family members and friends. When we’re ill, it can be difficult for us to sort through complex medical information. Be certain you’re evaluating the counsel of trusted family and friends.
Seek spiritual counsel from your pastor or priest. Life-and-death decisions should be made with the best possible spiritual guidance.
Be sure you have accurate information that relates to your circumstances:
1.Is your condition considered terminal, or is there reasonable hope that your illness could be successfully treated?
2.What is your current quality of life, and how will your illness affect your quality of life in the future?
3.What are the functions of your medications? What physical effects can you expect when you withdraw these drugs?
4.Are you making your decision in a depressive state?
5.Are you being pressured by others to make your decision?
"Life is difficult" says author M. Scott Peck in his 1978 book, "The road less traveled."
I, too, have pondered the very question for which you now seek an answer. Perhaps I will one day make the same decision that you have. Pain, both physical and emotional/mental are conditions that vary in intensity among individuals. They are also very difficult for those who have not experienced them to relate to.
In my life I have experienced dialysis, organ transplantation, Hepatitis C, the death of a teen-aged daughter, a divorce, nearly complete alienation from my three adult sons, interferon therapy, osteoporosis, debilitating gout, and severe bouts of depression. I can barely walk anymore and bide my time doing volunteer work for a local children's agency. I have a miniscule social circle and rely upon God's advice almost exclusively. I am also only 57 years old.
Yet, I still live via God's gift of immunosuppressant drugs. For some totally unexplainable reason to me, God believes that I still have a mission on Earth. So I go on. Perhaps it is merely to serve as an example to younger folks of how not to conduct your life. I pray that you have asked God to advise you, but I, as a man, do not condemn your actions and would not call it suicide. You are forgiven.
