Topic : 11/23 Schizophrenia

Chemical imbalance is a simplification of the language sometimes used by drug companies [1 in the United States in advertising and consumer literature for psychoactive drugs after deregulation of pharmaceutical advertising. The term has its origins in the 'chemical hypothesis', which refers to a simplification of the series of hypothesised neurochemical changes thought to partially underly mental illness. This term is most often used by groups critical of the pharmaceutical treatment of mental illness [2. 

Chemical imbalance theory is not a scientific theory, but refers to the lay conception of a theory generated by the use of the term 'chemical imbalance'. Current research in neuroscience does indicate roles for changes in the operation of neurotransmitters in the brain, and changes in neurons and neural structure in the pathophysiology of mental illness, but current models are more complex than simple chemical balances/imbalances. Causality (i.e. whether neurotransmitter changes cause mental illness or whether mental illness affects neurotransmitter levels) is uncertain. 

Changes in levels of neurotransmitters and other neural level phenomena are hypothesised to be the underlying psychopathology for certain mental illnesses, notably clinical depression and schizophrenia. In 1965, Joseph Schildkraut hypothesized that depression was associated with low levels of norepinephrine in the brain, and later researchers thought serotonin might be the culprit.[3 Initially, relatively simple changes in the level of these neurotransmitters were thought to be found in individuals with depression. However, advanced findings began to fine tune the more simple explanations. For example, certain drugs used to treat depression were found to change the levels of neurotransmitters for several days, but then return to normal, well before any effect was observed on the depressive episode. Such findings implicate more complex mechanisms, such as changes in neurotransmitter production, transmission, re-uptake, and neural sensitivity. 

In addition to depression, changes in levels of neurotransmitters have also been implicates in anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder), schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. As well as changes in serotonin and norepinephrine, dopamine systems have also been considered. 

So, while all biology is essentially chemical in nature, rather than being caused by simple chemical imbalances, mental illness is now widely recognized to be caused by complex and, in many cases, as yet unknown factors. 

Critics of the claims by pharmaceutical companies that their drugs 'correct' chemical imbalances in the brain contend drug treatments, intended to alter neurochemical processes by manipulating neurotransmitter levels, are neither an efficacious nor scientifically sound method for improving mental health, noting the enormous number of different chemicals and their unknown interactions. Moreover, critics assert, the psychiatric establishment assumes patients having a ‘mental illness’ must have a ‘chemical imbalance’ in their brain, as subjective diagnostic checklists are used in lieu of actual medical tests. This may not be so relevant to more recent graduates, who should be aware of the current state of neuroscience research. 

Even if neurological and neurochemical differences are associated with certain behaviors, the practice of pathologizing these behaviours has been questioned. Because neural mechanisms imply a physiological pathology underlying mental illnesses, they appear to justify the use of medication in treatment. Critics argue that the legitimacy given to medication by neural mechanisms can lead to an over-reliance on medication. Similarly, the perceived efficacy of medication as a treatment implies an underlying neural mechanism. A further issue is the extent to which research into neural mechanisms and the efficacy of medication is funding by pharmaceutical companies, who have an obvious vested interest in the use of medication. 

The chemical imbalance theory, according to critics, is routinely presented as ‘fact’ so often it has become widely accepted as fact, despite having been challenged repeatedly.  

The Pfizer drug company has been promoting Zoloft for years with saturation marketing, in print, on television, and on the radio, starring a miserably depressed ovoid creature. The ads assert mental illness may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, and that "Zoloft works to correct this imbalance." Without mentioning its own name, Eli Lilly urges viewers to seek treatment for depression, and to visit their website, DepressionHurts.com, because "Many researchers believe depression is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain and the body." 

According to Jaelline Jaffe and Jeanne Segal, "The misconception the commercials foster is that the brain somehow develops a chemical imbalance and the result is depression, occurring in a single directional process. In fact, the relationship between brain chemistry and experience is a two-directional phenomenon: Life experience affects brain chemistry at least as much as brain chemistry affects life experience. The 'chemical imbalance' hypothesis is not wrong. It's just not entirely correct." 

Psychiatric diagnostic practices in the United States have come under sharp criticism for reliance upon the chemical imbalance theory rather than actual medical testing. For example, in a Florida psychiatric hospital study from the 1980s, one hundred patients diagnosed with a mental illness were subsequently given a complete medical exam, after which it was discovered nearly half of the patients’ psychiatric problems were secondary manifestations of an undiagnosed medical problem.[4 Most, if not all hospitals in the United States currently require a medical exam be done on all patients admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. The author of the study, psychiatrist Mark Gold, remains a strong advocate that addiction and psychiatric disorders are rooted in complex chemical imbalances and effective treatment is available from various drug treatments, whether voluntary or involuntary, an opinion that he shares with the majority of the medical community. 

Further controversy is engendered by the links between some critics of psychiatry and the Church of Scientology. While Anti-psychiatry is not equivalent to Scientology, Scientology maintains several organizations like the Citizens Commission on Human Rights which have been outspoken critics of the biological basis of mental illness, sponsoring websites critical of "chemical imbalance" [5[6. There may exist a conflict of interest as Scientology advocates and sells an alternative and expensive non-pharmacological treatment known as Dianetics. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_imbalance_theory 

Many people have many diffrent ideas about schizophrenia. I thought I would sugest one that Dr. Phil should be able to do something about! 

I know that I have had a lot of problems with "Double Binds" for a long time, and I have only found a few people that I think that could help people that have problems with them, I think that Dr. Phil can help people that have this problem. I do not think that "meds" would help people that have problems with "Double Binds" as much as "talk therapy" would, This theory is over 20 years old and not that many people understand it.  

I would like to find out if Dr. Phil can help others with this problem! 

His paranoias are real, but he is not understanding the nature of them, or the cause. He is reacting to the fears he is feeling through; for lack of better terms a psychic/paranormal/instinctual connection that he does not understand, or know how to deal with. In addition his intellect is reacting break apart the brainwashing we have all been subjected to all our lives from television as well as various and other mediums. 

The only way out of this condition is to wade through the research and destroy the brainwashing and free the mind. 

His perception that you and everyone else is crazy is due to the fact that the majority of normals are completely and utterly brainwashed and unaware of the insidious nature of what is being done to us to bring about the New World Order that is more often refered to publicly as Globalization. 

An integral part of this agenda is the psychiatric classification and drugging of people who begin to wake up to the truth; as people do not wake up all at once they initially seem to be suffering what is being termed a mental illness. 

The drugs suppress the process of transformation which is the process of waking up from the trance we have all been lulled into. 

As I watched the show about schizophrenia and read many message, tears ran down my cheeks.  I would first like to say to Mary, your are wonderful, keep up the good work, and you are in my prayers.  I sympathize with all the people who are suffering or have family members suffering with this terrible illness.  My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 21, after getting in trouble with the law (because of voices telling him what to do), and trying to commit suicide.  He was hospitalized after first being treated as an outpatient for months.  He did well for six years and approximately a year and half ago, while visiting his doctor, the doctor asked him if he heard voices, was he paranoid, etc.  My sons reply was no.  The doctor asked him then why are you on this medication and proceeded to tell him all the side effects.  Needless to say, my son quit taking his medicine that day.  He went from a loving husband, father, and son that provided for his family, had a nice home, truck, good job to having nothing.  (Tomorrow he is being evicted from his home, which he has all but destroyed.)  He thinks people are watching him, he doesn't eat, he has became so violent that his wife  and child had to leave him and he drinks way too much.  When we try to get the local authorities to help with him, they want to say he is on drugs and we hear the same story many of you do. WE CAN'T do anything until he hurts himself or someone, or does something wrong.  I think the only thing that is keeping my son alive is all the prayers that are being sent up for him.  I never even knew such a illness existed until my son was diagnosed.  He is in total denial and claims that every one thinks he crazy.  I don't think my son is crazy, he is very smart, good looking and until this sickness hit him was very loving.  I know first hand that this illness will destroy close families and is very devastating if not treated.   I am thankful to Dr. Phil for airing this show.  While I know how much it has changed my son, the graphics made things so much clearer to me. ( of course it breaks my heart that my son is going through that and I can't help him). I pray for each of you that is going through this and hope you will do the same for my son.   

My sister was just diagnosed with this illness.  It has been hard to accept, especially when she is doing odd things.  It started out with her believing in this cultish religion having to do with "twin flames" and "spirit guides".  I tried to talk her into getting help, but it didn't work.  Her husband finally got her to a hospital, but he had to lie and say there was a priest there who would do an excorsism on her.  She believed/s that she was/is possessed by an evil spirit after she did some ritual to call her spirit guide into her body.  This illness is very frustrating and scary.  My Aunt also has it, so I grew up around it, and I know how to deal with some of it.  She has had the illness for over 20 years.  Now she is in a good place, she lives on her own, does her own thing, and is generally happy.  She understands her illness, unlike my sister who still is in denial.  I do worry that I may have it sometime in the future, or that my kids may, since it is genetic.  But I will cross that road if it comes.  I saw that my chances are pretty slim, which is good, about 9% or something like that.  I wish they had some dna testing they could do, cause I would like to know.   

I hate the sterotype about people with this.  It doesn't cause violence, it's not a reason people with it become violent.  There are a lot of great web sites out there that give the facts.  I know a lot of people who automatically assume they are not safe around my family members, and that is sad.   

Anyway, my sister was in a mental institution for nearly 6 months.  She was on so many different medications, sometimes the meds seem worse than the illness, with all the side effects she had.  I may be seeing her this week, she lives quite a distance away from me, so I will be able to see if she is doing any better.  I can't really picture her with it yet, so I need to see her for myself I guess.   

It is one of the hardest things to go through, it's almost like the family member dies, because you have to say things like, "remember when she would do this before..."  or "She was so funny/talented/etc before..."  Just watching someone I love go through this kills a little bit of me each day.   

I hope everyone who has this in their family, and everyone who has it, can find peace in their lives.  Don't let it get you, you can still be a productive member of society, you can still do anything that you want, as long as you learn about the illness, and listen to the doctor, and believe in yourself.   

I am a Christian and I still had thoughts that made me feel like there was a war between the demons and angels (induced by Zoloft). The only way I got through that time was prayer, counseling, relaxation, meditation, positive thinking,  reading self help books, etc.  

But I don't agree that if you are a Christian you are immune from mental illness, or demonic possession for that matter. I have a friend who is a former missionary who has severe mental illness, dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder), brought on by stress of abuse and rape and molestation. 

The brain and the body are complicated, and your 3 part theory sounds nice but then you dismiss the body part completely. Just being a Christian, or any religion for that matter, doesn't make mental illness go away. And call it what you want, but we all need to take a holistic approach that includes the possiblility that angels and demons are real, that includes treating the body as well as the spirit, that includes counseling, emotional and family support, physical support (being there, cooking healthy meals, doing things fun together, exercise). 

In this study it shows how exercise did better than medication or medication plus exercise for long term treatment. During followup, both medication groups had more that 20% higher relapse rates than the exercise alone group...Read the results section if you read nothing else. Let me know if the link doesn't work. 

http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/full/62/5/633?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Babyak%2C+M&titleabstract=Exercise+treatment+for+major+depression&fulltext=Zoloft&searchid=1131692703161_918&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&fdate=1/1/2000&journalcode=psychmed 

I wanted to extend a genuine heartfelt 'Thank You' for your willingness to share your own personal experience.

You are bravely, courageously and quite successfully dealing with a BEAR of a disorder! To be willing to speak so candidly about something as personal as Schizophrenia is inspiring! Your tenacity in sticking with the treatment necessary to manage this very difficult disorder is also inspiring.