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There is no evidence whatsoever for the 'chemical imbalance' theory of bipolar

Posted , 5 users are following.

mark51069
mark51069

I have had bipolar typeI disorder for over 30 years yet as discussed in the book 'Blaming the Brain' there is no evidence whatsoever in support of the chemical imbalance theory of bipolar disorder type I. Why do so many people take on trust that which has no scientific verification?

2 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • sharon12462
    sharon12462 mark51069

    Posted

    At the end of the day there's something wrong with our brain that we need medicatING for. Iv also had bipolar for 30years ..I believe it stemmed from trauma in my childhood. Iv known for along time through research it is chemical & then see its not chemical.. so what is the answer?? I dnt believe it's a big deal how they want to say where it comes from.. I'm glad iv found the right meds to be able to live as normal as possible. I dnt understand how it's not chemical if we need meds to sort it.. I was gonna buy that book ..
    • mark51069
      mark51069 sharon12462

      Posted

      Hi Sharon

      If medication works for you then the question is just academic so to speak. But having been sectioned and even forcefully medicated many times I have been on the recieving end of this academic assumption. I worked at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. The origin of the chemical imbalance theory began with Sir John Gaddum's research on LSD shortly before he became the director there in 1947. His work set in motion the entire SSRI industry yet his methodology was flawed. Psychoactive isotopes of LSD that do not bind to serotonin receptors calls into question whether abnormalities in serotonin levels are the causal mechanism of bipolar type I. Other research at the Babraham Institute posits abnormalities in oligodendrites. I simply believe that these theories are inadaquate. For example, if you won the lottery you would be elated and euphoric. No abberant biochemistry there! But if you felt euphoric for no discernable reason then you are immediately suspect. I would recommend reading the book as knowledge of this book can prove invaluable if you are sectioned and wish to question the section whilst in hospital. It is an empowering tool even if you don't accept its premise. Best of luck 😊

  • sharon12462
    sharon12462 mark51069

    Posted

    hi mark so what does this mean that there is no explination for bipolar ? and i supose now theres no money to look any further either? and also the drugs were prescribed is a hit & miss because its all aload of rubbish what this scientist said. that does explain alot when i think how long it has took & so many different meds iv been on i was on seditives for years.
  • BadNewsBrain
    BadNewsBrain mark51069

    Posted

    it is likely that bipolar disorder is an umbrella term for a range of related mood disorders, and that our genes, physiology, psychology and social world all interact to produce the mental disorders we experience. What the sciences have to do is establish what combinations of these factors produce what kinds of mental disorder, and they have a very long way to go yet. What people with bipolar disorder have to do is figure out what works out best for them, and not always be led by their doctors or influenced too much by the latest popular theories. In short, keep an open mind and monitor yourself and how things affect you - do your own science.
  • shelly52966
    shelly52966 mark51069

    Posted

    Yes BadNewsBrian you hit the nail on the head.  My last three visits to the psych they apologised to me for not being more open and listening to me instead of just treating the symtoms with out all the facts.  I had to tell them that they have the theory but I have the experience of the disease. So down on paper thrir theory looked good but my end result was God, myself and my family support not their medication which ws mot working for 15 years.

    I had been traumatized as a child and since I am a baby boomer we did not have the help of counselors, case workers and pscharitrist as we do now.

    I was diagnosed as rapid cycling manic bipolar, chemicle imbalance and peri-menopausal March 2000. Institutionalized 10 times as I was a spring into summer bipolar so 2001, 2003, 2005,2007,2009,2012,2013,2014 march and April I had episodes. The highs got me in trouble until now.  The key for me was to speak to my mind during the two weeks swing and teach myself how to slow down so i do d=not experience rapid thoughts.  I have to talk to myself all day long.  I had to learn to walk, talk and work slowly.  Since we can not see the behaviour in ourselves I tell my closet contacts to please tell me in love to slow down if you see me doing anything fast including eating. I have a good handle on things right now.  It has been two years of no institutions and i self medicate myself.  I take tegretol 400 mg and when i go fast I take 800's.  A dose in the morning and then at night.  After three or four days I balance out and the I resume the nightly only 400's.

    I have my blood levels checked once a year with my GP.  I do not see any psychs or case workers anymore.  My life is pretty normal.  Thank God!!

  • callianne_65675
    callianne_65675 mark51069

    Posted

    I have mood swings, so severe they disrupt my life. I get medicated for that. I don't give too much attention to what they call it. 
  • BadNewsBrain
    BadNewsBrain mark51069

    Posted

    I have to reiterate that anyone with a bipolar diagnosis who thinks that psychiatrists and scientists have all the answers may live to regret their decision.  Unless you are paying for private treatment, most bipolars are unlikely to get much more than a few hours off a shrink for the purposes of prescribing meds, and if you are lucky, up to a dozen therapy/counselling sessions. In short, these professionals don't really know you or want to 'cure' you, they are just obliged to reduce your symptoms and risks. You need to learn to help yourself: read psychology and other writings on bipolar disorder, start to study and monitor your own mind and personality, and try different activities and remedies out to see what works for you. What works for you might not be what your GP or psychiatrist recommends: they don't really know you, they don't have enough time/resources to really help you. Help yourself - and if you can get a lover or loved one to help your figure yourself out too, you are starting to tackle your condition in a constructive way.
    • callianne_65675
      callianne_65675 BadNewsBrain

      Posted

      Great perspective, would you care to share what worked for you? (By way of example). If you are comfortable that is. 

      I have long suspected this myself. For example Omega 3 studies. I also agree the patient is responsible for their own health if capable of course. 

    • BadNewsBrain
      BadNewsBrain callianne_65675

      Posted

      I can only tell you what worked for me - much of the the time (I still have bad days/weeks, like anyone, but things are better now than  they were). First, I'm poor, and can only afford one meal a day, so I take vitamin/mineral supplements, and fish oils (omegas) - because there's plenty of evidence that the brain works better with these basic nutrients in it. Second, I read a lot about psychology and the mind - not just the theories, but people's stories about their bipolar experiences. Third, after half a century of being with people who could not empathize with my condition, I found a lover who does understand and help me - probably because she is bipolar too. Fourth, I keep away from 'normal' people as much as I can, because they drag me down with their guilt every time I get weird with them. Fifth, I smoke cannabis: this works for me, it might not work for you. It lifts my low moods, and regulates my high moods. Lastly (because I've run out of steam - cyclothymia), I let myself feel my feelings when I am on my own/just with my lover, because there is no-one to judge me or tell me I am crazy. Sometimes I scream, sometimes I laugh like a maniac. Oh yeah, can't forget this one: really loud music can totally change my state of mind. And I am still looking and experimenting with new solutions to my yo-yo mood states. Never give up. Onwards and upwards. Bipolar disorder is not a disease, its a giftease: part-illness, part-special-ability - with experience, you can use your mood-shifts to get stuff one, but thats a longer story
    • callianne_65675
      callianne_65675 BadNewsBrain

      Posted

      I was on Omega 3 once, a very good dose and a good Omega (some are poorer quality etc.,) and was quite stable with it. I find the removal of stress, which is so hard also helps. Finance is a trigger for me and at the moment, I am finding finance tough. I am sorry to hear that you can only have one meal a day. I find eating at regular intervals also helps me. 

      Are you in the UK? If so, can you not claim ESA? This will certainly help with nutrition for example. 

      I've never really thought about avoiding (so-called normal people, as I find most people have their own issues at least we understand ours), it sounds like a plan. I've often said that it is so tedious having 'friends' because I've recently moved to the UK and haven't bothered to make friends since I have been back. Simply because how do I explain that I vanish for days, then I am all amazing again. The mere idea of that wears me out. I really understand what you mean about guilt. Yes! I feel guilty when I am apparently two or three different people at different times. I always felt bad about that, even with the friends who knew me quite well. 

      I find exercise helps. Not that I can always manage it. I haven't the last few days, but when I can, I feel great afterwards. 

      I think it is wrong to give people labels but is handy when it comes to medicating of course. I studied Psychology up to Majors and in those days they did not have the two subtypes BP1 and BP2. So, you are quite right when you say science does not fully understand it yet. Science is always progressing no matter what field one is discussing. 

      I really enjoyed your reply. I have no BP friends in the UK, so I don't discuss it often smile I hope you have a good evening. 

    • BadNewsBrain
      BadNewsBrain callianne_65675

      Posted

      I am in UK too. I worked all my life until physical and mental problems stopped me working a few years ago. I get ESA but it hardly covers the bills and rent, due to bedroom tax and debts and things, and bipolar stupid decisions with money make things worse. i don't have much appetite so don't care about the lack of food (though at 6 feet, 65 kg isn't much weight), but wish I had more money to go out of my flat and have fun. But I walk in the park and go on the beach, and do free stuff. I don't have a car or boat, but I'm freer than most
    • sharon12462
      sharon12462 BadNewsBrain

      Posted

      HI you are entitled to dla this helps alot with getting around & stuff. Makes you live a little bit more comfortable. .I think it may of changed to pip now, bt worth a try . Your job centre should of told you this information. Cab will help .. I advise dnt fill the forms in yourself .. I hope this helps

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