I think there is a biology side but I don't think they've figured it out. I think it's a genetic thing and maybe "chemical imbalance" isn't the right way of looking at it as the synthetic chemicals don't seem to work every time. I think there are a lot of options for treatment. I think the world of science is getting closer to understanding it. But, I don't think anything is really going to change any time soon.

But, you have to think everyone responds differently to all treatments, not just in psychiatry but all types of meds. For example my cousin who has schizophrenia is in his 60s. I think that he could have worked or gone to school, even if only part time but maybe even full time. But at the time they thought people with schizophrenia could not do anything. They just had to be medicated and watched. He lived with his mom and dad. He was flat but otherwise he responded really well to treatment. He is a really smart guy. But, because of when he was born he only did odd jobs with his dad and now everyone worries what will happen to him once his mom dies. Once my uncle died my cousin kind of fell apart and now he is different, it was a real shock to him. It's heartbreaking because with his medication he was doing great but no one saw that he was a viable person, and now what will he do? He hasn't worked or lived alone in over 40 years.

Now, here's my downside argument. First of all the big pharmacy corporations are in charge. Our country isn't run by government, it's run by corporations. People don't realize this. Look at what happened with healthcare so far. Pandering to big corporations. There's a lot of money in meds. So if chemical treatment in a patient isn't working, oh well, they stay that way. I think even if the answers are found this won't change because the corporate giants will keep it that way.

When my mom died in 1992 her doctor told my dad that there will never be a cure for cancer. This may sound very cynical but I believe it. There won't be a cure. And it's not the fault of the researchers. I think there are passionate people who will always be seeking a cure. But money comes from research and treatments that don't work. There will never be a cure for diabetes. There will never be a cure. There will be things that help more than before, but no cure. And so, there will never be cure for mental illness and there may never be true answers. There will be new treatmetns and those treatments may help a lot of people but not everyone.

So... I do think it's something physcial that causes it, but perhaps a physical + trigger in some cases. I do think meds help some people but not everyone. I do think there are alternative treatments. I think there are answers but we will never have them. I think a lot of doctors are cynical and have God-complex. And, I think the most important thing for all of us is to have a community where we don't feel alienated in the world.