Mental Illness = No Proof

[who_knows]

Some Psychs are now saying that changes in seratonin and other neurotrasmitters are not the cause of depression,instead relating it to the Cortisol hormone

 

A common feature of depression is an excess release of cortisol into the blood. Some neuroscientists and psychiatrists are now suggesting that the major changes in serotonin and other neurotransmitters seen in depression are not the cause of depression, but secondary to changes in the stress response

[YT2095]

erm, IIRC isn`t cortisol a "Stress" hormone?

or at least a by-product of one (or something like that)?

 

and wouldn`t that ALSO classify as a Physiological problem, and perhaps counter your initial: "Has anyone found some proper medical proof that "Mental Disorders" exist other than in ones own mind." made in post #1?

[joema]

Some Psychs are now saying that changes in seratonin and other neurotrasmitters are not the cause of depression,instead relating it to the Cortisol hormone

This has been known a long time. It's obvious neurotransmitter levels are not in themselves the cause of clinical depression, because it only takes 1 hr for increased neurotransmitter levels to occur after taking an antidepressant, yet weeks are required for the therapeutic effect.

 

Something about changing neurotransmitter levels initiates a chain reaction, which downstream results in some neurobiological change that is actually responsible for the therapeutic effect. What is this? Figure it out and you'll probably win a Nobel prize, and that's no joke.

 

Ronald Duman at Yale is doing some interesting work in this area. His idea is the neurotransmitter changes ultimately causes increased BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which over several weeks causes increased growth in neuronal dendritic spines. The improved neuron pathways is the ultimate corrective action.

 

By this theory, the upregulation in BDNF is the "final common path" by which most antidepressants work, regardless of whether they initially manipulate serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine. This theory explains the time lag problem from AD administration to symptom relief, and why altering different neurotransmitters can all alleviate depression. Tentative results even indicate ECT also ultimately causes increased BDNF, so most pharmaceutical antidepressants may funnel into this one neurobiological mechanism.

 

If you're a medical professional, you can look at his research papers.

 

Here's a good popular-level article on this and related areas:

 

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19990301-000031.html

[reverse]

I like to over simplify it this way.

 

My computer can go flakey for reasons of hardware or software.

 

Usually it’s the software flaking out (coping with tasks it wasn’t designed to handle).

[who_knows]

Nice bunch of theories there Joema.It all looks good on paper......

YT2095.It could be that the Psychs have had it wrong for decades.Instead of targeting the Neurotrasmitters they should be looking at ways of reducing stress.

It could be that a stressful life event triggers the increase of the stress hormone.

 

I wonder if I should inform my shrink? or will they continue to give out SSRi drugs which have been repoted to increase Anxiety and suicide rates

[joema]

...I wonder if I should inform my shrink? or will they continue to give out SSRi drugs which have been reported to increase Anxiety and suicide rates

In general the opposite happens -- antidepressant meds decrease anxiety and suicide rates. You're probably thinking of a few sensational cases publicized by the media where a depressed person taking an antidepressant committed suicide. This is obviously difficult to evaluate, since depressed people commit suicide more than the average population, even if NOT on medication.

 

A number of people die from taking aspirin each year, but overall the drug has a beneficial effect.

[john5746]

I wonder if I should inform my shrink? or will they continue to give out SSRi drugs which have been repoted to increase Anxiety and suicide rates

 

This is the same as any prescription as mentioned in the previous post. Medicine is tested on averages, not on you as an individual. I take medicine for hypertension and am fully aware of the side effects. I have the doctor change, or eliminate drugs based on results, how I am doing, goals, etc.

 

For insominia, you may want to try melatonin. This seems to help me when I have occasional bouts of insominia. Also, limit TV and computer usage, especially prior to bedtime.

[who_knows]

For insominia' date=' you may want to try melatonin. This seems to help me when I have occasional bouts of insominia. Also, limit TV and computer usage, especially prior to bedtime.[/quote']

 

Cutting down on the Internet in the evening has certainly helped.I think I was becoming a bit addicted and looking at a scrolling screen too much was doing my head in.

 

Not sure if all this modern technology is a good idea.....

[hw help]

Mental illness is scientifically proved by the abnormal behavior between the person who develops it, and by a normal person.

 

I suggest you search on your topic and if it fails to convince you, come back.

[who_knows]

Mental illness is scientifically proved by the abnormal behavior between the person who develops it, and by a normal person.

 

What is abnormal or normal behavior?It's normal to do a robot 9-5 job like everyone else,but not normal to run around the streets naked

Who is more normal someone who is too happy or too depressed