Chemical Imbalance? How did this myth get started ?

Question

There is absolutely NO PROOF that depression or bipolar or any mental illness is caused by a "chemical imbalance".

Psychiatric medications shut down the brain.

http://antipsychiatry.org/jenelle.htm

http://www.cchr.org/index.cfm/8771

http://sntp.net

Answer 1

Thank you Mr. Cruise, but don't you have a wife and baby to attend to?

Answer 2

And what are you, a doctor? Have YOU ever been depressed?

There is psychological depression which is caused by life events, and there is also biological depression which is caused by an imbalance in your brain. And I'm not a doctor but I do know that when you take medication to help restore this imbalance it can greatly improve your symptoms and make you feel much better. It can save your life, it can keep you from killing yourself. I'm not saying medication alone is the answer because it's not, and of course it doesn't work for everyone. But for a lot of people it's an important part of getting better.

Answer 3

Our profession (I am a Ph.D. psychologist/counselor and a researcher) does not allow us the use of words such as "proof" or "cure." However, there is a great deal of evidence from controlled studies (double-blind with control groups) and from practice (people getting better with medication that changes neurotransmitters) for us to say that there is little doubt that an imbalance in brain chemistry is responsible for major depression and for bi-polar disorder, and many other disorders for that matter. Off the cuff, yes there is proof what we call major depression is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry and MD's and DO's can do a lot to help people.

OH. My bias is not medicine. I am trained in psychotherapy. If I have a bias it should be against medication. But I am not dumb, I follow the evidence, like any good scientist and it is irresponsible to say a person can just snap out of a major depression . They cannot. Medication can help and anyone who says otherwise either has an ax to grind or simply has not looked at the evidence.

If you are depressed. Go to your doctor and get help. Don't listen to stupid, biased advice from people who have no knowledge of the area. Sorry I sound defensive, but I have seen so many people hurt by well meaning friends that have told them untrue stories about medication. It helps ... Period.
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Answer 4

I disagree with you here... I believe that the neurotransmitters can become ineffective and not produce enough of what the brain needs to function properly.

I do however agree with you that medication is not the answer. Diet, exercise and proper hydration balance of salts and minerals and better nutrition can fix these problems in most cases. Unfortunately... most people are too self righteous and lazy to contribute to their own health and well being and that is why the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies win out over reason and rational.

It is irresponsible to say that this condition doesn't exist... Remember this:

Far left, is not the answer as a counter to far right...

Moderation and middle ground is best. Always!

Answer 5

You are simply wrong.

Plain logic - If psychiatric medication did not alter the chemistry of the brain then how else do they work? When people are depressed and go on medication and fell better, save their life sometimes, that is due to introducing a much needed chemical to the brain which corrects the "chemical imbalance" in the brain.

No the doctors are right there is no baseline, universal standard (and that is a shame) but that in no way correlates with the fact that for certain people they need meds. to alter the chemistry of the brain so they live healthier lives.

period.

It is a real shame that you and these irresponsible doctors on your links overlook and ignore the vast, overwhelming, life saving aspects of professional med. management and quality therapy.

You are not a qualified person to comment. Once you recieve the training necessary to understand these things then feel free to publish your findings.

Your websites are quack websites.

Answer 6

According to whom? You and Mr. Wonderful, Tom Cruise? A man who denied his wife would need pain relieving medication during the delivery of a child she was too slim to give birth to? Yeah, some role model. You are so full of s*** and I don't care if you do report me, I'll report you!

Bipolar disorder most often starts in teenagers and young adults. But it also can occur in children and older adults.
Bipolar disorder equally affects people of all races and backgrounds.
Special chemicals in the brain may be involved. If the levels of these chemicals are out of balance, it may be harder for brain cells to work as they should.
Bipolar disorder also could be connected to hormone levels. Hormones are chemicals in the body that do certain things. Experts have noticed a link between thyroid hormone levels and bipolar disorder.
Also, certain parts of the brain may have a different size or shape in people with bipolar disorder. The changes could be a cause or symptom of the illness.
In some cases, other illnesses may play a role in bipolar disorder.

Answer 7

there is not proof

but the shrinks and scientists know that street drugs cause euphoria so they cook their own coctail - look at the statistics - I mean know they are not as bad as E but with the medications you peak and crash like any other drug - I mean they are all DOPE and only good for a little releif for a while- when I feel a crash or hangover and then another pill kills that - then I know I am entereing another form of addiction going on that medication.

A drug pusher psychiatrist got the myth started

Answer 8

This myth began in the 1950/60s. Psychiatrists have legitimized their profession by having us believe that pyschological problems/issues are physical in origin and can therefore "cured" pharmaceutically.
There is NO evidence to support that mental disorders have a physiological cause.
Australian teenagers however are being taught in schools ( Mind Matters program) that chemical imbalances are to be blamed for conditions such as depression/bi-polar!!!
Chemical imbalance equats to medication which means wealthier psychiatrists/G.P.s/chemists/pharmaceutical companies.
Chemical imbalance theory is a conspiracy!!!
Psychiatric medications are supposed to "shut down the brain", to control our instinctual fight/flight responses.
They are not designed for long term use. It is not until that you stop taking the "good for you" chemicals(SSRIs)and complete withdrawals that you realise that you have been released from a bizarre form of imprisonment. You discover that are free.. to be me!!!

Answer 9

I did a paper in this in nursing college and likely, i'm confident that "chemical embalances" are very genuine. One survey in my study advised of an test achieved on suicide victims. each and each examined dangerously decrease than a healty extensive form quite interior the chemical properly-referred to as serotonin. in specific circumstances, our "chemical compounds" forget what to do and could desire to be reminded. regrettably, it in specific circumstances takes meds to bounce start up this technique. yet having stated that..... there are substitute routes to take if one so inclines thank goodness.

Answer 10

I wish people who don't believe would pay a visit to a state psychiatric hospital and "adopt" one of the patients. I don't think it would be long before they became believers.

Answer 11

I truly believe chemical imbalance is a scam and the way to happiness is healthy living and good sense of humor