It's NOT True! Depression is NOT Caused by a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE | Dr. Rami Nader

For years people have believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, specifically having too low levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the brain. However, recent research has found that there is no association between Serotonin levels and depression, raising doubts about the chemical imbalance theory of depression. For years, scientists and clinicians have questioned the chemical imbalance theory of depression and the notion that low levels of Serotonin is what causes depression. This theory is far too simplistic because depression is multifactorial and influenced by a number of variables including situational factors, psychological factors and physical factors. Despite this, the chemical imbalance theory of depression has persisted in part due to effective marketing by pharmaceutical companies, the apparent effectiveness of antidepressant medications for some people experiencing depression and our desire to have clear and simple answers to complex topics such as depression. This video discusses some of the problems and damaging implications of the Serotonin hypothesis and belief that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. I also discuss some of the important treatment implications if we understand that depression is much more than neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

#Depression #Serotonin #ChemicalImbalance

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16523 (97)

[trejea]

The tendency to think negatively about oneself is caused by childhood emotional neglect, abuse, dysfunctional family, etc. This is so overlooked.

[tagsaab]

After that study was out I was expecting psychiatrists worldwide would stop advising their patients to use antidepressants yet nothing changed. And nothing will until people wake up and stop trusting doctors without questioning their motives.

[ComplicatedSimplicite]

A very wise man once said “If your depressed stop thinking depressing thoughts!” We have patterns of thinking that create depression. You want to beat depression ask yourself a very important question: what would it take for you NOT to be depressed. Whatever that answer is start working toward it even if it’s only baby steps.

[trejea]

It’s frustrating to hear a therapist say that CBT is the best he has to offer. I went to counseling off & on for over 20 years without much relief for depression because none of the therapists identified or understood my childhood trauma. We have an increasing need for more therapists trained to help the traumatized.

[hangingwiththegrlz]

I learned this long ago because when I walked away from my suffering, depression ceased.

[JustMe-obnw]

Thank you Dr. Nader. You probably have no idea how much you are helping people like us who battle depression 🙏🏻❤️

[fredhartman]

Absolutely perfect and brilliant explanation. Our thoughts, good or bad, are huge factors in altering brain chemistry. Your manner of talking is a masterpiece of eloquence.

[AVToth]

I was an RN when Prozac first came out. It was out of research for antidepressants/psychotropic drugs that didn't have the permanent adverse reactions of the older tricyclic and MAOIs like tardive diskenesia, uncontrollable movements of the mouth, face or hands, tics. These movements were a direct result of the medication and because it was common knowledge that they came from psych meds a person faced the stigma of "being crazy" as well as "buggy" because of these movements.
Then, wonder of wonders, ta da, SSRI.
My jaw hit the floor the day I saw my first TV commercial for a med to help with "TD".
I remember yelling at the TV "ARE YOU SHITTING ME?". What infuriated me the most is that it has been almost forty years and just now is anything said about SSRI causing the same problems.
How many people have gone through a tough time, been given this poison and now have a condition that can be moderated by yet another new medicine? If they had been told by their MD that this chronic lip smacking was possible before they started taking the antidepressant, would've said no thank you.

FORTY YEARS AND NOT A WHISPER

[ThatWyrdGirl]

My theory on how antidepressants really work:
1. Antidepressants make you slightly less irritable.
2. Since you are not so irritated, you start treating people around you better.
3. They respond by treating you better.
4. You start to feel better because you are being treated better. This is accompanied by positive thoughts about life, and the future, making you feel even better.

This can work absent of psychotherapy, but it probably works faster with.

It doesn't work at all, if you are surrounded by #@%* jerks.

[fumarate]

I had years of depression in the end i just practised meditation took me years to heal.

[klanderkal]

I foolishly retired from a job i loved... I lost interest in everything
[ hobbies, activities, TV. the beach, etc]
I feel no desires
I feel no emotions
I lost interest in life, and living..???
.... its called
DEPRESSION
...when it happens, for whatever the the cause it was
... it happens!
Im suffering so horribly.
Mentally paralyzed.. with hopelessness 😢

[wendyjones]

I had a serious brain injury years ago really affected my mind and my sight and balance

[NevaJWilson]

When I start feeling awful, the sky, clouds, sun going down makes me feel intensly. It emotionally hurts me, the colors in the sky hurts me. I remember years ago during the day we were driving I couldn't look at the trees, sky, etc. I told my mom it all hurts me emotional makes me grieve and feel dispair. It's a. Awful feeling. Just going for a walk sometimes okay others - the cars going buy, the day, etc I feel grief.

[musicmayer]

What to do when CBT or DBT just don't solve anything? This also ignores the real issue of fear that can cripple a person.It also overlooks the spiritual dimension that can lead to and keep one trapped in depression.

[mystrength]

Thank you soo much, A Brilliant video!
I’m a medical professional, and you really have put the Truth on Depression!

[Sunrisesp]

Thanks for all health care prof.s who step out for sharing true knowledge! Respecting the intellegence of audience 💚

[keilana]

Have always had anxiety since childhood. Never had therapy due to finances. Been thinking a lot lately about just having someone to talk to about it would help. I don't know but tired of being isolated from others & not knowing how to change it. Insurance does not help, especially if you have an HMO.

[patrickhafner]

Great person here. I’m m surprised you haven’t been banned by the cancel culture and misinformation hacks. I’m a veterinarian and I NEVER bought the serotonin hypothesis. How could something so complex be fixed by manipulating one chemical in a brain we still know so little about. 😮

[celticwarrior]

It is my opinion after taking SSRIs for over 31 years and now finally off them for 18 months, that low Serotonin is a symptom not a cause, and antidepressants are like antihistamines that help with the symptoms of allergies. Prolonged stress and many other reasons causes Serotonin to lower over time, and acts as a warning to the mind to act. Using antidepressants in the very short term to get Serotonin levels quickly back to normal can help people to work on those causes and have therapy. Unfortunately, doctors are leaving patients on these medications for years, or telling them they're going to be on them for life, and people think they have a diseased brain and a permanent condition as you said.This is highly dangerous and counterproductive as many people like I did will become physically dependent on them, which ultimately leads to a much worse situation than before treatment. This is ruining millions of people's lives, and I am one of them.

[Meeko]

That is why drug commercials are illegal in some countries like Germany. When i lived there, i had more peace away from constant commercials abd marketing of items, drugs, and all sorts of things that are put in your head. They used psychiatric research to make their product appealing. There should be a similar law in the usa to limit commercials to two per break instead of 5-6, and to not show any drug commercials except at your doctors office and clinic. A child does not need to see commercials for viagra and prozac after their cartoon at 2pm on a saturday. That's poison of the mind right there.