If mental illness is caused by a chemical imbalance why is it so hard to find the right chemicals to balance?
405365
When you took chemistry you were balancing an equation for baking soda and vinegar, or Iron and Oxygen.\n\nWhat's the equation for happiness, discipline or satisfaction?\n\nWe still don't know what all the chemicals ARE in the brain.\n\nThen we have to figure out what each chemical DOES.\nThen we have to figure out the equation for depression.\nThen we have to figure out how to change the balance of the chemicals.\nThen we have to figure out how changing the balance of one chemical upsets the balance of all the other chemicals.\nThen we have to figure out how to re-balance all the chemicals the drug put out of balance.\n\nAnd it all has to be done without any side effects on the rest of your body.
154803
The word "schizophrenia" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIt is not a "disease", despite claims made in certain peoples answers here. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "schizophrenia" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".\n\n"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD (Neurologist, Pediatric Neurology), & Fellow at the American Academy of Neurology.\n\n"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.\n\nSymptoms that psychiatry labels as "schizophrenia" (or it's related disorders), can stem from any number of variable sources. Many people have overcome disorders such as "bipolar" and "schizophrenia" through effective megavitamin therapy and effective nutrition. A growing wealth of evidence supports that underlying nutritional deficiencies can cause even the most severe mental disorders, including "schizophrenia". [1,2,3,4,5,6]\n\nYou may also be interested to know that the work undertaken by pioneers such as Dr. Lars Martensson and the late Dr. Loren Mosher show that there is also another way - far safer and more effective than psychiatric restraint, drugs and electro-shocks. For over a decade Loren R Mosher, MD, held a central position in American psychiatric research. He was the first Chief of the Center for Studies of Schizophrenia at the National Institute of Mental Health, 1969-1980. He founded the Schizophrenia Bulletin and for ten years he was its Editor-in-Chief. He also led the Soteria Project, which demonstrated that effective rehabilitation is possible without harmful antipsychotic drugs. Soteria provided a safe and sane environment where schizophrenic patients could stay, medication-free, with a young, nonprofessional staff trained to listen to and understand them and provide companionship. The idea was that schizophrenia can often be overcome with the help of meaningful relationships, rather than with drugs, and that such treatment would eventually lead to unquestionably healthier lives. The results were fantastic. Over just 6 weeks, patients recovered as quickly as those treated with medication in hospitals. [7,8]\n\nBottom line? Psychiatry is a belief-system, a "faith", not a science. Despite the huge marketing strategies, the so-called "research" and all the propaganda thrown at the world, there is not one iota of scientific evidence that proves that "schizophrenia" or ANY mental illness, in fact, exists as an actual --medical disease--.\n\nThe U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health states: “The precise causes (etiology) of mental disorders are not known” and that “there is no definitive lesion, laboratory test, or abnormality in brain tissue that can identify the illness.”\n\nIf you have been told differently then know this: You
559660
The value of treatment is to offer you a chance to get a little relief from your emotional stress (it is EXHAUSTING to change moods fast, control anger, maintain relationships with family and friends, hold down a job, etc. when all of these goals conflict.) The world isn't easy for anyone, but it's exponentially harder when you're fighting depression, the desire to cut and maim yourself, uncontrollable compulsions, extreme anxiety and miscellaneous other pressures. You can choose not to continue therapy, but honestly you can live a more balanced life. You might have to change doctors a few times, and will DEFINITELY change medications more than a few times. Bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance that requires medication to balance. And PTSD can be controlled with therapy. But you have to be willing to work with someone, and be patient. Its a long, hard road. But you have every right to a happier life. And I urge you to pursue it.
420895
I am bi-polar. I take my medication daily and have learned to relate to life without abnormal depression, as in my past. I now own my own business and am very lucrative. Happily married, and life is good now. It took years of Doctor's misdiagnosis' to find the right med for me, but am fine now and proud that I faced it after 9 years of wondering why I felt "different".\n\n"Bi-polar" disease is actually a chemical deficiency in the brain It Is Not A Mental Illness Like People Think..., actually it's a chemical problem and nothing to be ashamed of, I'm not. I do NOT see a psychiatrist, it's maintained by my regular family doctor.\nThe general public is not well educated on this chemical imbalance-it's not mental illness. It's physiological.
909247
That depends on what is causing it.  If something in your life is causing it, you need to address the cause, a therapist can help with this.  If its caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, therapy can also help along with medications.  Either cause is not fun that's for sure, I have been living with an anxiety disorder for 30 yrs.  I have have used both therapy and medications. The medications have worked best for me.  Make an appointment with your doctor there are also some diseases that can cause anxiety such as a thyroid problem.  Once a physical cause has been ruled out then your doctor will know how to treat you or if you may need to see a therapis or psychiatrist.  In the mean time try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and meditation.  Stay away from anything that contains caffeine and sugar.  Good luck
134720
A condition isn't the same as a disorder.\nTo clarify, if you take a substance and that substance creates a result does not mean that the previous condition was a negative one, or that the new condition is a positive one. Take cocaine (or Ritalin) for example.\n\nI also think that using medications for ADD is rarely appropriate as it can be treated or cured using appropriate behavioral strategies.
300937
I have no idea what is wrong with you.  You should seek professional help.  Could be an imbalance in your chemical make up and maybe a drug could help.  I think you should just look for the positives in life and also do what makes you happy.  if you do drugs, stop.  if you drink too much, stop.  if you are in an abusive relationship, dump him.  Surround yourself with positivity is all I can tell you, and I really wish you well and that you do not act on your suicidal feelings.  Maybe god can help.  ( am not religious by the way)
815801
Many different reasons, too many to list here. It is important to realize that it most commonly affects people from a higher socio economic status. If you or anyone you know have it, encourage them to get help fast. It can kill you.\n\nPlease refer to this website for additional info.\nhttp://www.webmd.com/hw/mental_health/hw46499.asp\n\ngood luck
685788
I think you definitely have a problem here. I saw a special on TV, I think it was on intervention where a girl did this too. I can't remember that name of the disease but she definitely had a chemical imbalance. I really think you should see a doctor and don't worry....your not the only one!!!
180139
There is getting to be more evidence that chemical imbalances, especially trace mineral deficiencies, may be a cause for SOME fibromyalgia.  This is because treating the symptoms by using balanced mixtures of nutritional minerals seems to help the symptoms in many people.  \n\nYou can look on pubmed (just use yahoo to search for pubmed, it is run by the National Institute of Health) for "minerals fibromyalgia" and you will find several studies.\n\nI know people with fibromyalgia who have reported great success with a particular vitamin and mineral supplement.  If you are interested, email me (jstmother) at yahoo and I will point you at how to get it.
736893
How weird your question seems to me, because i have mental illness myself, and I was born 20 years ago.\n\nFrom my own experience in the world of mental illness with people who have had it or treated people who have had it for longer than I have, I know that there are more mentally ill people in the world today, and the number continues to increase.\n\nThere are many reasons why this is happening, mainly because of the lowering of the value and dignity of every human life.\n\nPeople with mental illness may get the medical treatment they need, but if they have no friends or family to treat them with respect and compassion and give the time and energy needed to make those people better, those people will have their mental illness longer than people 20 years ago did.\n\nThe most basic social connections that up until recently supported virtually all human beings have disintegrated, and along with those connections, the health and well-being of a large number of human beings, who, exposed to the harshness of everyday life without anyone to tell they matter, slowly fall apart and lose control of their lives, hence the ensuing mental illness.\n\nThis is only the beginning of the explanation for why the number of people with mental illness is increasing, but the main conclusion from it is that the cause is from the gradual destruction of basic social conditions that sustain our society, not from biological or genetic conditions like the pharmaceutical companies would like you to think.
457197
I feel it actually both. The right attitude will produce the correct chemicals. It like Adrenaline, when we become excited or scared we will produce Adrenaline. Same with other chemicals. Depression is cause by many factors, most, are things that get us thinking negative. Debt, a good example; we become overwhelmed and begin thinking negative and the chemical balance drops. When we find things to do that a fun and enjoyable we stop thinking of the Debt and in our excitement produce the needed chemicals to overcome the depression. That why a lot of people become Alcoholics for example. They can get feeling good and do things, AND, Alcohol can work the other way too. Doctors just prescribe a feel good pill for an easy fix. BUT, getting around Positive people will also produce a natural positive result.
74352
It controls brain chemicals that are inbalanced, or releases new ones to even them out.
709587
Yes, it can be just as bad, or even worse than, a physical illness.\n\nSome mental illnesses are related to chemical deficiencies.  If the person takes the right supplement, the mental illness goes away.  If they stop taking the supplement, the illness can come back.  so in that case, the mental illness has a physical cause - so I guess you could say it is a physical illness, in a way.
837558
its because in society people assume that a mental illness is something that affects us emotionally which is not the case, its an actual chemical imbalance in your brain because the neurons are not flowing right. People need to be educated more on this and maybe the stigma will stop eh
299156
Psychological disorders are much more complex then a few words can describe. If you feel chronically depressed or know someone who is please see a psychologist. The best way to get over it is therapy with a trained profession who can determine whether therapy is enough or if a chemical imbalance is present and medication is needed. A number a factors can cause depression including alcohol, illegal drugs, lack of sleep, and excessive amounts of caffeine. In other cases it is an in-balance of hormones that medication is needed to correct.
100031
There is growing proof that these so called diseases are being caused by the very products we use in our homes and schools. Chemical imbalances in the brain are being caused by chemicals we use every day. Bleach, lysol, lysterine, Dawn dishsoap, tide, cascade, windex etc. all have toxic chemicals in them that can cause problems with the central nervous system and brains chemical balance. Now because you probably use the same products your parents brought you up using. It seems like heredity. Luckily there are companies that make products that can help. My favorite company is Melaluca it has done wonders fot my family and me.