If one has depression, or bipolar disorders, many doctors say that that person has a chemical imbalance, what causes these imbalances? Anything in particular? Is anyone of any particular age susceptable to imbalancement? Can anyone get them?
2006-08-26 16:47:48 · 10 answers · asked by Marie 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Usually chemical imbalances are due to a genetic predisposition. They are usually inherited and a person will display symptoms between late puberty to mid adulthood - depending of the severity of the symptoms, environmental triggers and the persons own mental health. Some display earlier and some (who have the slightest predisposition) never at all.
The reason it is termed a chemical imbalance is because the brain works through an exchange of information with chemicals and electrical impulses. The cells in the brain are called neurons and we have a few different types and many of them. Though they are not reneawble. These neurons communicate with each other through exchange of the hormonal chemicals called 'seratonin' and 'dopamine' through neurotransmitters. These are the main ones anyway and also those usually involved in chemical imbalance of the brain.
When a person manufatures too little seratonin - they can get severely depressed, as it is the brains happy chemical and regulates your moods. If they produce too much at times, then not enough at others - they are classified as bi-polar. As they are way up one day then severely depressed the next. If they do not produce enough dopamine, they usually get Parkinsons disease or some type of motor neuron disease. As dopamine regulates the brains communication with its motor centre. There is much more info but don't really have room here.
This is just some information on the complex workings that you ask about but I hope it has helped.
2006-08-26 17:05:00 · answer #1 · answered by soulgirl76 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Chemical Imbalance In The Brain
2016-10-07 02:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by enns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm no psychiatrist, but it's my understanding that there are many factors. Heredity has something to do with it. Some theorize that poor nutrition and a perpetual lack of sleep can "trigger" an illness or exacerbate it. I also believe that depression can be "triggered" by an actual traumatic event, causing the brain to release different chemicals (i.e. grief) and the theory is that somehow the brain can get "stuck" in that grief mode, leading to depression. Finally, no one really knows the role upbringing/environment has to play. We do know that experiences can change the brain chemistry (just look at the affects of stress on the brain), but I don't think there are any conclusions about how much of a role life experiences play in determining whether someone will be bi-polar, schizophrenic, etc. I believe that bi-polar and schizophrenia usually manifest themselves in the teen years or into the twenties.
2006-08-26 16:56:16 · answer #3 · answered by Kiki 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Very difficult question to answer. But here goes, I will try. The imbalance you are referring to is what causes clinical depression, and a host of other disorders like the one you mentioned, bipolar. Now these tend to run in families, So it is genetic and can be passed on. If it is something like schizophrenia we are talking about or even bipolar, one may just be doomed to get it, with depression it can be fought off a little bit more because even though it is in the "genes" Life circumstances, if they are good can ward off the depression, but if you have bad life experiences coupled with the depression gene, you will most likely succumb to this insidious disease. It pretty much sucks. I think mental disorders are a lot more painful than a lot of physical disorders, and harder for people to understand.
I am not sure about the questions you have about age of onset, since some of these disorders are showing up earlier, than they used to, now in very young children, for reasons no one can explain. And your final question-can anyone get them. I think anyone can get occasional depression and/or anxiety, but to have a serious mental health disorder, I am pretty sure it runs in families or, if there were a traumatic birth , problems at birth, ex: baby losing oxygen during birth. Hope I have been of some help, and you take care OK?
2006-08-26 17:01:09 · answer #4 · answered by spartan_117 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously a lack of chemicals to react in sync with the other brain chemicals. Causes an imbalance.
There are drugs to help that. Anyone can get them.
Eat right and exercise or else you too will be drug induced sane.
2006-08-26 16:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by Cookie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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It could be any one of those things. Sometimes, taking supplements can help stem the problem. Visit a doctor and get a blood test and they can tell you what you are missing/unbalanced in.
2016-04-01 06:19:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can run in families and sometimes is triggered by something like a hormonal change (menopause). I think it is grossly over-used as a diagnosis but it's such a wide spectrum illness (so many levels of severity) that it's difficult to rule it out.
2006-08-26 16:56:52 · answer #7 · answered by justme 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Awesome answers given
2016-08-08 13:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many things can cause them: genetics ( family history of depression, bipolar, etc.) medications mother was on before birth; alcohol or substance abuse; malnutrition. However, doctors have not pinpointed one single cause for it.
2006-08-26 16:58:12 · answer #9 · answered by Flea© 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question, I was wondering the same thing myself
2016-08-23 05:26:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋