Posted by Cam W. on August 16, 2001, at 10:58:46
In reply to Serotonin vs. Dopamine Deficiency - Symptoms?, posted by Buster on August 7, 2001, at 18:45:24
Buster - I believe that, in most common mental disorders, that a lack (or excess) of a neurotransmitter is only a symptom of the disorder. The monoamine theory of mental illness is inadequate and a broader picture of intracellular signaling dysfunction may need to be addressed. Saying that a lack of dopamine or a lack of serotonin is causing depression is like saying your local gas station is causing the price of gas to go up. In a way, the gas staion and the price of gas are linked are linked, but no "direct" cause/effect is occurring.
When we use medications designed to raise serotonin or dopamine, we are only addressing the "effects" of the illness, not getting to the root of the problem. This may be a reason why our current armamentum for fighting mental disorders is inadequate in many cases. I believe that scientists are now seeing that the reductionist view of the monoamine theory is the wrong approach, and possibly (probably?) only a symptom of most disorders.
So, to look at neurotransmitter deficiency symptoms, to decide how one needs to be treated, may be a misguided way to approach treatment. Although you may tackle some of the disorder symptoms using the deficiency approach; such an approach may not be the best treatment.
My 2¢ - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:74037
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75277.html