Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2007, at 7:37:23
In reply to Re: And not all psychol. probs are under one's con » linkadge, posted by jerrypharmstudent on June 10, 2007, at 4:07:25
>Quite a lot actually which would point to >the "chemical imbalance" theory. If we change >our thinking we CHANGE our brain >neurotransmitters.
Thats what I am saying. A lot of people sum up their problems to bad chemistry in kind of a fatalistic way. "I have bad chemistry and the only think that can change that is a drug."
>But the pill augments the therapyt and visa >versa.
I am not saying don't take meds, I am just saying that I am just saying that (some) people (myself included) need to be open to all forms of healing.
I just don't agree with people who sum up all their problems to bad chemistry and believe a pill is the only thing that can make any improvement.>as there are MRI's and PET scans showing >abnormal concentrations of neruotransmitters in >certain key areas of the brain in those with >mental illness = chemical imbalance.
I am not saying that there isn't a difference in the brain of depressed people. I am just saying that the brain is a different organ from other body organs. For instance, you cannot will yourself to produce more insulin, but you can actually do things that will increase your serotonin levels. Hot bath, good meal, stress reduction, petting a dog, hugging somebody, having sex, eating chocolate, sitting in the sun, etc.
>We don't know - however, that does not equate to >a conclusion that depression is purely voluntary >psychological "imbalances" under our control.I am not saying that we have all the power to solve our problems. I am just saying that we do have some influence on our moods, the extent of which is probably unknown. To give up on searching for complementary methods of healing is a mistake.
>Or we are all pathetic, weak willed, >unmotivated, lazy fakers WANTING to be >depressed?? I don't think so.People seem to have got the wrong idea from what I was trying to say.
>Who here has not tried, prayed, done EVERYTHING >in his or her power to SNAP out of being >depressed??
I am not saying anybody needs to snap out of it. I am just saying that people with depression need to *keep* open minded. It is easy for people with depression to become closed minded, and whether that is the chicken or the egg, I don't know. The brain has a high degree of placticity like you said, but giving up on looking for ways to get better is the fastest way to curb brain placticity and repair. Hope for a way to improve is a treatment itself. Hope likely promotes placticity itself.
>Like I said - I don't advocate popping a pill >for all cases - but to trash those with mental >illness with this "it's all psychological" slap >in the face disgusts me.I never said that at all.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:761153
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070604/msgs/762135.html