Types of Chemical Imbalances

No one knows precisely what causes chemical imbalances in the brain. The term is not a technical medical term, but is rather a term commonly used by lay persons to describe one possible cause of some mental illnesses. Chemical imbalances have been theorized to be responsible for such disorders as depression, anxiety attacks, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. However, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ,no causal link has been definitely established between depression and any specific neurotransmitter.

Serotonin

• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, an imbalance of neurotransmitters involving serotonin and norepinephrine may be involved in depression.

Dopamine

• A report from the National Institute of Health indicates an imbalance of neurotransmitter systems such as the dopamine and acetylcholine systems could have a connection to clinical depression.

Gamma-animobuytric system

• A study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests an imbalance of neurotransmitters involving the gamma-animobuytric system may be involved in depression.

Corticotrophin

• A form of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone may be involved in postpartum depression, according to a report from the University of California-Irvine.

Monoamine Hypothesis

• The Monoamine Hypothesis, as defined by The University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, postulates that depression may be caused by the failure of the brain to produce sufficient monoamines, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.