Posted by spike4848 on January 21, 2002, at 9:47:56
In reply to Brain Chemistry/Lasting Social Phobia Benefits » Lisa01, posted by Rick on January 21, 2002, at 3:40:48
> The general wisdom -- and I'm not saying it's 100% correct -- is that medication changes brain chemistry temporarily; while successful CBT can effect permanent changes.
responders as well.Hey Rick,
I think we are pretty much in agreement. As I understand it, *any* active treatment *modified* brain chemistry. With medication, active treatment last only as long as the duration you take it. With CBT, you retrain behavior, and thus "treating" the brain for as long as the behavioral changes last. Often these changes can be life long. So if we are able to correct any maladaptive behavior contributing to our illness, and maintain that behavior, we can in a sense permenently change brain chemistry.
I am not sure if an "imbalance" in brain neurotransmiters levels is the etilogy of mood disorders. These imbalances we see may just be secondary to the real pathologic process. We simply just don't know enough about the brain.
We know the human brain in the most complex of all the organs. Many scientists believe we will never completely understand how it works. We need something "smarter" than our own brains to figure out the inner workings of the brain. Thus, we may never fully realize the pathology of mood disorders.
Spike
PS Rick ... I alway enjoy reading your posts ... they are very informative and insightful
poster:spike4848
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/90965.html