Posted by linkadge on August 13, 2003, at 15:32:01
In reply to Re: Afraid of the cure » Ima, posted by Susan J on August 13, 2003, at 13:50:55
Actually chemical imballence is a little more than bunk. It has been known for a long time that suicide victims and violent criminals have much lower levels of serotonin metabolites in their spinal fluids. We also know that serotonin is highly involved is the synaptic placticity of the brain and the brains ability to remap itself.
We also know that practically ever treatment for depression eventually ends in a common destination of improved serotogentic functioning.You are right that it is all somewhat theory, but then again so are many other medical cures we take for granted.
We don't really know how anticonvulstants works or blood pressure drugs like clonidine. There are hundreds of other non-psychiatric drugs that we really don't fully understand but we know they work.
Instead of dwelling on what *isn't* for sure, lets focus on what we *do* know. Untreated depression destorys the brain. Excess cortisol levels and disregualted HPA axis lead to measurable hippocampal shrinkadge and cell loss/atrophy.
Independant researchers and universities have well established that antidepressants not only prevent the shrinkadge, but are some of the very few drugs that are able to stimulate brain growth factors like BDNF and NGF that signal the brain to start remaping itself. Infact patients treated with prozac show a 70% increase in areas of the brain involved in emotional processinng and memory.This is what I say. Sure there could be consequences 20-30 yrs down the road but by then the disease may be much better understood. And personally I would rather have a braincell left when that better drug comes around.
If you are skeptical take Lithium. That will help with the depression and it greatly increases grey matter in thinking areas of brain.
In any case -get to where you can think rationally- then you will be able to weigh the pros-cons with a clear mind.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:250558
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250585.html