Are there any medical tests you can do for brain chemistry?

[Hellosilencemyoldfriend]

I'm incredibly low, fearful and anxious most of the time. I feel like I am just making it from day to day and I have no joy anymore. It's stupid because there is nothing wrong in my life.

I also come from a family and have a family who are very English about these things and just believe depression and anxiety do not exist. They say I need to see how lucky I am and be thankful. Hence why I am asking the question - is there any medical way to test brain chemistry, to prove anxiety or depression to be real?

[CloakAndJagger]

There is plenty of medical research out there that shows these conditions exist, including things like brain scans that show differing levels of activity in various areas of the brain and also tests for things like dopamine and serotonin levels.

You could have all the proof in the world though and it can't cure someone of being the type of person who refuses to believe such conditions exist and that folks should just pull themselves together, as being a dick isn't an illness.

[ProfessorPreciseaBug]

Hello Silence...

You are not stupid!
Sadly, in this country, we still suffer from an idea that mental illness is something to be ashamed of. Indeed, it sometimes seems that it is easier to admit to being gay, or support ISIS than saying you are depressed! I have felt "why do I feel so awful" when I had a good job, loving wife and good home... "

You are not alone...,

There are a number of clinical test questions that can indicate if you are experiencing depression. They come in sets and between them can show if you have depressive tendancy. However, as far as I am aware, the is not yet a set of blood tests that can measure hormone and chemical levels to diagnose depression....yet alone manic depression.

Keep posting and good luck.
Proff...