| Chemical Imbalance
Question:
How do you feel one can be accurately diagnosed to have a chemical
imbalance in his head?
I had a physical with a new doctor, told him that I suffer from anxiety,
and am taking Propananol. He immediately told me I had a chemical
imbalance in my head and prescribed Paxil. I did some research and found
that Paxil had some strong side effects. So, he quickly prescribed Celexa.
I just feel like doctors are so quick to prescribe without really knowing
what's going on inside.
Thanks.
Bill
Answer:
Hello Bill
You raised a very interesting question. There is a difference in how
psychiatrists and psychotherapists view 'health'. Most Psychiatrists tend
to use the medical model almost exclusively... and according to this model
everything is a chemical imbalance. All disease is due to some chemical
change at the most basic level. Not necessarily genetic. This is all their
limited training allows them to see. Psychosis is a different category and
meds are necessary for treatment.
The reality is that everything produces some chemical change in us...
stress is known to affect the immune system, so a chemical (meds) will
relieve some of the symptoms, but will it resolve whatever is creating
that stress? So what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did the chemical
imbalance create depression or did the depression create the chemical
imbalance? Then you get into the old Nature vs Nurture debate... in my
view it is not an either/or situation... both affect us. Chronic
depression and family history will have some chemical affect on a
person... but then depression is also a learned coping mechanism.
The psychological perspective takes into account the personal, family and
enivromental factors that play a part in the disease. Human beings
function at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels... any
disease at any of these levels may have some physical manifestation... but
treating it only at the physical level is band-aid treatment... it will
provide temporary relief but it will show up in some other way. With
chronic/long-term problems it is necessary to rely on medications for
enough relief so that a person is functional enough to make therapy
effective. Then through therapy you learn healthier coping mechanisms to
deal with depression or anxiety.. and eventually a person is able to wean
off of meds in most cases.
From a social perspective... as a society, we have a quick fix
mentality... 'give me a pill, fix me, I don't have the time/motivation it
needs to change my patterns that produce this problem'. And meds will
'fix' the symptoms... never the underlying issues. For real and lasting
change... that is hard work.
Another trend that creates a problem is relying on primary care physicians
to address psychiatric problems... general practitioners do not have
enough experience to address such problems, they prescribe meds too easily
and rarely recommend therapy. In most situations, a combination of meds
and therapy is most effective for change.
So, the bottom line... I do believe that MDs are too quick in prescribing
meds and the label 'chemical imbalance' is used too loosely. It would make
more sense to ask the patient to try therapy and if needed then we can use
meds. Then the MD, the therapist and the patient can evaluate if meds are
needed.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards
Uzma Mazhar
Comments on Response:
Thank you very much for your honesty and insight. It does make sense to
me.
I have had an incredible break through over the past week regarding
whether I should use Drugs or not. I took a Celexa and had some of the
worst side effects. It was like being on a bad acid trip. I stopped taking
it immediately. I then got online and started to visit these 'depression
and anxiety chat lines.' It was very scary. Everyone was on a medication
and was experiencing terrible side effects as well.
One person put his 'drug diary' out for everyone to read. It spanned over
a few weeks. He broke it up by Positive and Negative effects that day. One
day read, Positive: "incredible clarity today." Negative:
"Passed out in my neighbors lawn, and began throwing up."
Most complained of lack of libido, sedation, and stomach problems. Others
took several meds to make up for the low libido. And most of the drugs
also caused some type of anxiety for the first few weeks.
I am going to stick with Yoga, Meditation, Exercise, Positive
Affirmations, Kava Kava, and Prayer.
The alternative is just not right. I truly feel that these people are
glorified 'drug dealers' and work for the Pharmaceutical Industry who have
never really had
any compassion for people's aches and pains.
After saying all that, thank you once again for your prompt response. It
did help.
Bill
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