Can a Chemical Imbalance in the brain, be fixed without medicine?

Question

I've been having lots of anxiety, panic attacks...docs want to put me on anti-depressents, but I refuse.... so therefore im just wondering can my "imbalance" fix itself after awhile? Its not so bad that I cant tolerate it, which is why I have chosen to stay off the meds for now...thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Sometimes it can, sometimes it can't. Sorry to be wishy-washy but that's the truth of it. No two brains are alike, and some "chemical imbalances" are more severe than others.

For example.....I wouldn't even *think* of encouraging alternatives to meds if the person involved had schizophrenia, classical bipolar (manic) depression, or was openly and actively suicidal, ok?

But with mild anxiety and panic attacks, you do have some options:

--Look into therapy...not just the Cognitive Behavioral stuff, but all of it. For some issues therapy can be as corrective as meds.

--See if you can afford a gym membership and *use it*. More and more studies are showing that *cardio* in particular improves and stabilizes moods, all other things being equal.

--Look into different diets...not for weight loss, but for *mood control*. In particular, searching the *whole phrases*, quotes and all, of "high-tryptophan diet" and "attention deficit disorder" is instructive. Apparently *many* forms of ADD/ADHD can be controlled by being on a strictly controlled diet, it's just a question of finding the right one. And I'd guess that for *Mild* anxiety or depression, it's much the same way.

--Make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can mess you up as badly as being *drunk* on alcohol.

--Make sure you stay *hydrated*. That is, drink *plenty* of water and clear liquids. As someone who has had asthma and allergies to deal with since I was ten years old, I can tell you, it's easier to *breathe* when you are hydrated. Less chest and throat restriction....which is one less thing to trigger panic attacks (sometimes the tail does wag the dog on this one).

--Look into meditation, particularly of the "mindfulness meditation" sort. Yes, that is in quotes so you can search the *whole phrase*, quotes and all, by copying and pasting the phrase into your search engine, no typing needed. Point of it is: with mindfulness meditation, one skill you learn is how to *feel* your feelings without judging or analyzing them. Meaning you let them *go* more quickly, let them pass without triggering anything....

--Skip the caffiene, when possible. Aside from interfering with proper sleep and hydration (caffiene is a diuretic, it makes you *pee more*), there's really no need for you to feel *more* tense and jittery, is there?

--And....look into multi-vitamins. You don't want to overdo this, but Stress-Tab or "stress formula" multi-vitamins that focus on the B and C vitamins (which are water-soluble and pass through the body quickly), these can be a real godsend in terms of keeping your energy and motivation levels up without the caffiene.

And remember....there's no pressure here. You *can* try these things one at a time for a while. ^_^ For all we know, *one* change might be enough.

I hope this helps. ^_^ Take care and have fun!

Answer 2

Chemical Imbalance Medication

Answer 3

Chemical Imbalance Treatment

Answer 4

Yes, sometimes it can. This is fortunate, because not everyone benefits from meds and many people can't afford meds. Talk therapy can help, but you would be surprised by how much just wishful thinking can do. There are people that will tell you that situational depression is significantly different clinically than chemical imbalance, but they are wrong. Chemical imbalances can be caused by situations. If situations are the cause than the solution could be to figure out what your problems are and fix them. I think one time I didn't get the right meds, but I still got better. I think, though, if it lasts for more than a few months, you should get meds.

Answer 5

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RE:
Can a Chemical Imbalance in the brain, be fixed without medicine?
I've been having lots of anxiety, panic attacks...docs want to put me on anti-depressents, but I refuse.... so therefore im just wondering can my "imbalance" fix itself after awhile? Its not so bad that I cant tolerate it, which is why I have chosen to stay off the meds for...

Answer 6

I used used to have major depression. I was in hospital for a week because of it. You gotta remember that no problem, or trauma is too great. I personally have my Faith. I believe in GOD and in JESUS CHRIST and thats been my only solid ground until now. After my hospital depression, they gave me pills, but I wouldnt advise anybody to take them as often as even the doctor prescribes it. My mom being a professional nurse even advised me to take them and eventually wear them out in 2 weeks. If I had to take them for a month like the doctor prescribed me it could do me more harm. Reason why it is important to not take pills to treat mental illnesses is because you dont train your brain to get better, and at the same time it makes you addicted to those pills. Kind of like a hypochondriac. You start thinking that you have a disease while you have none. A psychologist, (note not a psychiatrist), helped me big time. Sometimes the need for the pills is important only when it comes into handling mental ailments such as alzheimer or any other similar problem. Thank you. Pray to GOD and you will see its good. Be around new people, and speak to less fortunate people. Less fortunate than you and see what makes them happy. See you.

Answer 7

If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/4cJbs

Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:

Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.

If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.

Answer 8

Sometimes you need to go on antidepressents to get better. That doesn't mean you have to stay on them, but use them to get your head straight, then get off them and find out exactly what the chemical imbalance is. Go to a naturalist and explain what is going on and see if they can help you with natural ingredients.

Answer 9

Yes. I recommend cutting out anything that could be regarded as "junk food" from your diet, including any caffeine. Eat a strict but varied health-food diet with a large non-starch vegetable base. Eat a lot of 'super-foods'. Add in fish-oil pills unless you eat a lot of cold-water ocean fish and olive oil/other sources of ALA. Pay attention to how each food affects you; perhaps keep a 'food diary'. stay hydrated.

i like the book "From Fatigued to Fantastic" by Teitelbaum, M.D. (it talks a lot about anxiety)
you should read through http://www.acu-cell.com
look up good fats, acid-alkaline diets. consider pro-biotics and enzymes. you may have a vitamin surplus or deficiency.

Good luck

Answer 10

I will soon be a physician and the medical community would not agree that your brain can fix itself. Have you gone on a "drug holliday" and noted how you behaved without the meds? If your life is being disrupted without the use of medications then you need to be on them. Psychiatrists and neurologists are well aware that these drugs have side effects which is why you probably don't want to take them. We are constantly striving to make better drugs but the truth is the side effects outweight the detrimental effects of not being on the medication.