Thread: Medication
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Old Sep 20, 2009, 01:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yesterdays View Post
For example, if you have a chemical imbalance in your brain that causes depression, you can't change the way your brain works on your own. In that case scenario, what choice do you have but to take meds to help you feel better living your life?
I have nothing against taking meds, but did want to chime in that there are a number of ways we can change the balance of chemicals in our brains. For example, depression sometimes results as a response to high stress. Stress response induces certain molecules in our brains that promote depression. Some of these are very long-lived. I saw some studies showing the half life of some to be over 6 weeks. So one way to try to remedy some types of depression is to reduce the stress in one's life, but be sure not to give up on it soon, as those "depression molecules" can last a while. Other ways are to promote the "feel good molecules" in our brains. Exercise can help with this. Also, positive, loving relationships in our lives can also alter brain chemistry, such as with a romantic partner, or a good friend, or even a therapist. All of these things contribute to brain chemistry. We can't solve everything on our own, necessarily, but we are not always totally helpless to help our brains either.
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