The Effects of a Chemical Imbalance

Chemical Imbalances in the brain are devastating both for the individual experiencing them and for the family that is suffering with the ill person. For years scientists have known that chemical imbalances caused mental illnesses, but they were unsure which chemicals were affected and how. For the most part, researchers are still unsure, but they have made great strides in identifying the chemicals that the mentally ill lack and are trying to track down the reasons why some are ill and others are not.

Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia can be a damaging and life-changing diagnosis, making the goal of leading an ordinary life very complex and frightening. s with most mental illnesses, there are many theories about the cause and onset of schizophrenia. One has to do with chemical imbalances in the brain. Schizophrenics have trouble with outside stimuli such as lights, loud sounds, personal interactions and discerning the difference between reality and imaginary situations. These problems may find their root in the schizophrenic's over-sensitivity or over-production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which enables nerve cells in the brain to send messages back and forth. An imbalance in dopamine production means that the schizophrenic is overwhelmed by sensory information and experiences hallucinations and delusions.

Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness with serious consequences to the sufferer and his family. Again, one explaination of Bipolar Disorder may be imbalances in the brain . Neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers in the brain, have been shown to play a role in mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder. However, their specific role can only be speculated on. Unusually high or low levels of dopamine, serotonin or norepinephrine could be the cause of the problem. Another theory lies in the proportions of the neurotransmitters in relation to one another---one or two may become more receptive or overactive. Bipolar Disorder may also be caused by the sensitivity of the neurotransmitters meaning that there are plenty of neurotransmitters, but they are not all going where they need to be. Instead they are attracted to the most sensitive and needy areas in the brain, neglecting other areas where they are needed.

Depression

• New studies show that MAO-A levels are raised in the brain of a depressed person. MAO-A or brain monoamine oxidase is an enzyme responsible for breaking down chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. This means that higher MAO-A levels means that there is a greater breakdown of key chemicals in the brain. Depending on the person, a different chemical may be broken down by MAO-A, explaining the fact that people respond to depression and to medications in different ways---one person may be lacking dopamine, the second may be lacking serotonin, and the third may lack norepinephrine.

Anxiety Disorders

• Anxiety Disorders include Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder.) While the exact connection between chemical imbalance and anxiety disorders is unknown, there are specific brain traits that are found in people with anxiety disorders. First of all, the availability of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, and acetylcholine are limited. GABA specifically slows the brain down, and when it is limited, the brain is working overtime with fewer breaks and opportunities to slow down on its own. Secondly, the anxious person has increased levels of toxic neurochemicals like homocysteine and lower levels of serum magnesium, zinc, and potassium than the "normal" person does. Third, they have deficient supplies of vitamins B6, B9, B12 and C. They are also low on the neurotransmitters that supply neurotransmitter precursors past the blood brain boundary, and they may have increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

Conclusion

• Hopefully, breakthroughs will continue and new medicines will be created to help the mentally ill. As scientists learn more, perhaps there will also be less stigma and pressure placed on the mentally ill by society. Gradually as rehabilitation occurs, they can regain some enjoyment and satisfaction with their lives.