Chemical imbalance in brain' myth debunked

[Esaias]

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/...l.pmed.0030318

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/...l.pmed.0020392

http://www.cchr.org/quick-facts/real...-disorder.html

http://www.academyanalyticarts.org/fores.htm

Just a few links to articles refuting the idea that mental disorders from ADHD to depression etc are caused by a 'chemical imbalance in the brain'.

[Dordrecht]

It's a spiritual thing.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Esaias

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/...l.pmed.0030318

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/...l.pmed.0020392

http://www.cchr.org/quick-facts/real...-disorder.html

http://www.academyanalyticarts.org/fores.htm

Just a few links to articles refuting the idea that mental disorders from ADHD to depression etc are caused by a 'chemical imbalance in the brain'.

So what advice would YOU give to someone who suffers from extreme depression or has a loved one who is schizophrenic? Or how about Parkinson's? Or Alzheimer's?

[Dordrecht]

Jesus is still doing the Works of the Father!
He is still the healer.
There is no sickness that He cannot heal.
Supernatural miracles and healings are a fact of life.
They are even more prevalent today than during Bible times.
Why? Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,
the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do,
because I go to My Father." John 14:12 and "But you shall receive power (miraculous power)
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."Acts 1:8

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So what advice would YOU give to someone who suffers from extreme depression or has a loved one who is schizophrenic? Or how about Parkinson's? Or Alzheimer's?

I am not a physician nor a pastor. So my advice would be for the individual to pray, to research things for themselves, to seek others who have been through what they are going through (especially those who have overcome those things), to take a more active role in their own recovery/coping/healing, and to be open minded.

Also that I would keep them in my prayers and that I would be available if for nothing else than to just listen to them if they needed to talk, vent, whatever.

As for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, I believe those are not 'chemical imbalances' nor are they 'psychological' in origin, but have to do with actual cerebral damage/cortical deterioration, and there's probably not much 'treatment' available except to manage symptoms and have a caretaker. Even the bible references what we would call 'alzheimer's or senile dementia, if I am not mistaken, and it seems to be a symptom of the general corruption in the physical world which one day will be cured by the renewing of all things.

Schizophrenia is a different beast altogether, and I am no expert, but from what I have read there seems to be a lot of things that are diagnosed as 'schizophrenia', and then treated almost with a 'one size fits all approach' which often does more long term harm than good. There have been studies which have shown the drugs used to treat schizophrenia may be causing cerebral damage (actual, physical damage to the brain) which in turn exacerbates the problem the patient had in the first place. I don't have any answers, I just posted some links to articles for people to read and draw their own conclusions.

[bbyrd009]

gotta say "AMEN" there...

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So what advice would YOU give to someone who suffers from extreme depression or has a loved one who is schizophrenic? Or how about Parkinson's? Or Alzheimer's?

"It's a spiritual thing."

"Face what you are running from, or
get comfy with the chemical lobotomy."

It may not be pleasant, sorry, but these afflictions you mention
are self-inflicted; I won't say "in every case," but Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are known as "brain diabetes." Of course, in these cases, the lobotomy is complete, more or less. I came very close to schizophrenia in my speed days--these are spirits that one makes a home for, I am convinced.

How do you help someone who is running from themselves?
Surely it is painful when it's a loved one,
but how do you save someone else?

Another uncomfortable truth is, whether the sufferer
can admit it or not, these become ways to keep the focus
where they want it (where we all want it, usually)--on themselves,
albeit in a negative way. Maybe now we can start a discussion
about what "witchcraft" really means? Note Matt's confession of late.

[Praxeas]

I read through some of the first link. It seems to mostly deal with childhood issues as ADHD

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I read through some of the first link. It seems to mostly deal with childhood issues as ADHD

I actually deal with a pretty severe case of ADHD, but have never taken a prescribed drug for it. Honestly, if I DID say there was a "drug" that helped it would be a vodka gimlet or margarita. Just a small amount of alcohol seems to do more to calm me down, and with far less side effects (and cheaper to boot!) then any strong mind altering drug designed specifically for what I have.

Having said that I always wondered why the largest % of kids with it all seem to live in trailer parks? (Being someone sarcastic in asking.)

Oh, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are largely genetic.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I actually deal with a pretty severe case of ADHD, but have never taken a prescribed drug for it. Honestly, if I DID say there was a "drug" that helped it would be a vodka gimlet or margarita. Just a small amount of alcohol seems to do more to calm me down, and with far less side effects (and cheaper to boot!) then any strong mind altering drug designed specifically for what I have.

Having said that I always wondered why the largest % of kids with it all seem to live in trailer parks? (Being someone sarcastic in asking.)

Oh, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are largely genetic.

I have read several studies which indicate ADHD and similar cases of 'attention deficit/hyperactivity' disorders may be largely caused by diet, in particular, a high carbohydrate/sugar based diet (including corn syrup).

I DO believe that many cases of ADD or ADHD may just be cases where a child has little disciple at home or other family problems and a medical diagnosis with drugs are chosen as an easy way of dealing with the symptoms.

I any event, SSRI's and other mood altering drugs are way over prescribed, in my opinion.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I read through some of the first link. It seems to mostly deal with childhood issues as ADHD

The others go into 'depression'.

There are many more articles on line (medical articles, not anti-psychiatry activist articles) which deal with more serious mental disorders and problems, which also seem to negate the 'medication treatment' approach so common these days.