How is this imbalance measured? What type of scale is used? I want the physical proof. If we are imbalanced, why do these FDA approved chemicals not restore the balance for all that have tried them? And no, don't throw me that "we all have different chemistry" line, because I'm pretty sure all brains work the same, so if the meds were actually FOR treating the things they are treating, it would surely make a "solid" difference.
Take injectable contraceptives for example (synthetic hormones) women react differently to it, some gain / lose weight, some are weight neutral, some continue there cycle, some don't, some lose hair, others don't BUT 1 thing all these women have in common is that they are all being protected against unwanted pregnancy, even though their hormone levels are different and side effects of synthetic hormones differ.
Better yet, if chemical imbalance is factual, or even just very nearly so, why are we urged to take seizure meds as mood stabilizers for bipolar? Shouldn't there be a bp med by now if its as simple as "chemical imbalance", after all, who are more "imbalanced" than we?

Seizure meds indeed WTH? I'm not having seizures

I won't take flu medicine for a headache, so why am I expected to do that??
To me? Chemical Imbalance just sounds like a nice way for a dr to say "Something's really off about you, but heck if I know what exactly it is and how the hell to fix it, but here take these twice a day for forever"...
PLEASE NOTE: These are my views and opinions, this post is not meant to be judgemental toward anyone going the med route I tried it too, and just chose to change course.