by Marilyn Legato, Midwest Center Healthcare Affiliate
TV ads and informational articles tell us that our feelings of depression and anxiety are due to a chemical imbalance.Is this true? Probably so. But how did the chemicals become imbalanced in the first place? Were we born this way? How does a chemical imbalance cause depression and mood disorders in some people?
Are Antidepressants the Only Cure for a Chemical Imbalance?
Some would have us believe that all we need to feel good is to take a pill that will reduce symptoms of depression. For many who are incapacitated by their emotions to one degree or another, medication can be very valuable and is sometimes quite necessary to take their lives back from depression.Yet, for many people who are experiencing various levels of emotional distress, learned ways of perceiving how life treats us and how we interpret these events to ourselves can have a dramatic effect on how we respond both physically and emotionally. These learned ways of reacting often influence when and how much certain hormones and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals that affect our feelings) are released into our bodies. Taking antidepressants to alter brain chemistry is not the only way to treat a mood disorder. We can also do it through our thoughts and actions.
The Symptoms of a Chemical Imbalance
Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are affected by our experiences until we become aware of emotional feelings. Of vague discontent, sadness or nervousness; bodily feelings such as aches and pains; or problems with sleep, memory or concentration. These can all be symptoms of depression or other mood disorders. Or just normal reactions to the sad and disappointing events that happen in life.Usually we feel we have to put up with these symptoms; or we see our physician who might prescribe a tranquilizer or, unfortunately, we resort to alcohol or drugs. We might talk to close friends or family members who offer their support, which may be helpful for a while. Yet, learning how to reframe or adjust how we explain experiences to ourselves can help to lessen or avoid the more negative feelings we’ve become used to because it not only changes our perception of life, it can also change imbalances in brain chemistry.
Treating Chemical Imbalances with Learned Skills
So what can we do to change our reactions? Certainly one of the most useful steps is to accept that we do have the power to make certain changes that will help us to feel better. We cannot necessarily change all life circumstances, but we often can change how we choose to react to them.The word “choose” is all-important. We have to make a firm decision to no longer be a victim, but rather to take greater charge of how we deal with life and the negative feelings that some events cause.
Once this decision is made, even if tentatively at first, more specific steps can be taken which can contribute to improving how we feel.
Surely at times life deals us some terrible blows, and these are more difficult to deal with. Yet it is the day-to-day stress that wears most of us down and leads to depression and sadness.
Learning to Change Behavior from a Therapist
Negative ways to thinking and reacting, especially those that have developed over many years, are not easy to change on our own. Most people find it far more easily done with the education, support and reinforcement that can be found with a trusted therapist with experience treating these symptoms.Marilyn Legato is an advanced practice nurse, psychotherapy with her practice in Berkeley Heights.
