Thursday, March 17, 2011

Chemical Imbalances

Chemical imbalances are thought to be the cause of a wide range of mental health disorders, from depression to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Researches have spent many years studying the effect of different neurotransmitters (biochemicals produced by the brain) on mood and emotion. A positive link between mood and brain chemistry has not been found, but anecdotal evidence leads researchers to believe that a neurotransmitter like serotonin plays a major role in the regulation of brain function.








Significance


The body produces or acquires through diet many enzymes, neurotransmitters and amino acids. Each substance is required by the body for optimal functioning. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are two neurotransmitters that can cause depression, ADHD, dysthymia and anxiety. The best known of all neurotransmitters is serotonin. Without the correct amount of each of these neurotransmitters, the brain ceases to function properly and a mental illness can occur.


Types


There are many types of chemical imbalances. An imbalance of serotonin is thought to cause depression and anxiety. An imbalance of dopamine is thought to be a major cause of ADHD. A epinephrine deficiency has been implicated in both depression, panic attacks and anxiety. Many people that have a deficiency of one type of neurotransmitter may have deficiency in other types as well, resulting in mixed mental health diagnoses.


Effects


In addition to possible effects on moods and mental health, chemical imbalances can cause sleep disruptions, energy level fluctuations, appetite changes and weight gain. Serotonin is converted by the body to melatonin, an a substance that helps regulates sleep. A shortage of serotonin can cause insomnia, sleepwalking and other night time disorders. Serotonin shortages can also lead to carbohydrate cravings, raising the risk for obesity and obesity-related complications like heart disease and diabetes.


Prevention/Solution








For people with chemical imbalances, there are many solutions that may provide relief from troublesome symptoms. For those with symptoms of serotonin deficiency, the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Prozac and Paxil may provide relief. For a less expensive solution with few side effects, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, a dietary supplement that the body converts to serotonin, can boost the mood of people with mild serotonin deficiency. For people suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or ADHD, the amino acid L-Tyrosine has shown promise in treating dopamine deficiency.


Misconceptions


Many people believe that the chemical imbalance theory is a myth perpetuated by pharmaceutical companies to sell expensive drugs. Studies have shown that drug and amino acid therapies are effective in treating mood disorders and other mental health problems that other studies have linked to to chemical imbalances in the brain. These therapies work because the symptoms are truly caused by chemical imbalances.

Tags: chemical imbalances, mental health, amino acid, Attention Deficit, believe that, cause depression, have deficiency