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Original poster

To think that the majority of mental health problems are not ' chemical', but are a result of our life experiences

89 replies

mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:26

I've had a lot of interactions with various people over mental health issues lately, and I keep coming across this idea that the majority of these problems are 'chemical'.

I do accept that some mental health issues are caused by biological factors - my DH has low testosterone which affects his ability to manage anxiety.

But I do feel that people (esp in the UK) are very quick to identify the cause of any MH Issue as 'chemical' rather than to attribute it to a reaction to something in their past or present life...

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 01/07/2017 20:27

Do you think the concepts of 'chemical imbalance' and 'life experiences' are mutually exclusive?

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:28

Posted too soon...if we are comfortable with saying that, for e.g. smoking, alcohol, poor diet contribute to heart disease and a small minority of people will be vulnerable to heart disease whatever they do then why are we so quick to rule out environmental stress as a major factor in poor MH?

OP posts:
Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:28

dmirsPoutine Sat 01-Jul-17 20:27:56
Do you think the concepts of 'chemical imbalance' and 'life experiences' are mutually exclusive?

No.

I just think declaring that MH issues "are chemical" suggests exactly that.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 01/07/2017 20:28

define 'majority' - are you talking about depression and anxiety ir BPD and Schizophrenia ?

goose1964 · 01/07/2017 20:29

I think it's a combination of the two , most people cope with bad life experiences but if you have mental health issues the way your brain reacts is different. I speak as someone who suffers from depression.

Pengggwn · 01/07/2017 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlipFlopsReady · 01/07/2017 20:30

I know what you mean.

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:31

BPD correlates very strongly with PTSD ghosty..The link between poor life experiences and personality disorders (especially Trauma to BPD) is well documented.

OP posts:
Chickpearocker · 01/07/2017 20:32

I did a great short course on this from future learn.com called psychology and mental health you should check it out. People are moving away from the biological argument more and more. Also check out Jacqui Dillon on YouTube where she talks about what happens to us is paramount in understanding conditions such as schizophrenia.

alpacasandwich · 01/07/2017 20:32

Psychiatrists view most conditions as a genetic predisposition with an environmental trigger.

The genetics load the gun and life experience fires it.

What you're proposing is not exactly groundbreaking.

There is a "chemical" basis for most MH conditions. Whether it's due to different firing of neurotransmitters, over or underactive parts of the brain, gene expression.

Some branches of psychotherapy think that everything comes back to childhood. Medics tend to disagree. Talking about someone's childhood when they've got suicidal major depression is not likely to walk them back off a ledge compared to proper medication and evidence based therapies.

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:33

I'm biased, I suppose.

I think there's a tendency to write off for e.g. sexual assault survivors as just people who will always be really fucked up and you can't help them.
Whereas I see that there is trauma - you treat the trauma - the person recovers.

Other MH conditions with no obvious cause are 'chemical' so take ADs and it's fine. Just don't dig around in the past. Oh no.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 01/07/2017 20:33

well my sisters BPD seems fairly chemical - as did my Grandmothers and Great Aunts - she takes medication - she is fine ...

alpacasandwich · 01/07/2017 20:34

The link between poor life experiences and personality disorders (especially Trauma to BPD) is well documented.

These life experiences cause structural changes in the brain, especially the amygdala. It's not a case of biology or psychology. They are interlinked.

duffinthemule · 01/07/2017 20:34

Environmental stresses can trigger mental health episodes, so I get what you are saying, but mental health illnesses are usually caused by physical changes and chemical and hormonal imbalances.

Like heart disease, some people are genetically more prone to mental health illnesses than others.
External factors that might trigger a mental health issue in one person may not in another so it is sometimes a combination. Just like a person who lives a very healthy lifestyle but is genetically predisposed to heart disease.

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:34

Talking about someone's childhood when they've got suicidal major depression is not likely to walk them back off a ledge compared to proper medication and evidence based therapies.

Please define "evidence based therapies".

OP posts:
alpacasandwich · 01/07/2017 20:35

I think there's a tendency to write off for e.g. sexual assault survivors as just people who will always be really fucked up and you can't help them.

Mental health professionals all think this? Really??

phoolani · 01/07/2017 20:35

Science is coming more round to there not really being a genetic basis for virtually anything - or if there is they can't find it. MH issues are chemical only in the sense that our experiences change our brain chemistry. Environment is the driver; chemical (and physiological) change the result.

ghostyslovesheets · 01/07/2017 20:35

it's not one size 'cures' all either way though is it - different therapies work with different people and different illnesses - ditto drugs

it's a bit chicken and egg - I'd rather be looking at a holistic approach to treatment

duffinthemule · 01/07/2017 20:35

And part of recovering from a mental health issue is absolutely undergoing counselling, etc. Pills are not enough.

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:36

The link between poor life experiences and personality disorders (especially Trauma to BPD) is well documented.

These life experiences cause structural changes in the brain, especially the amygdala. It's not a case of biology or psychology. They are interlinked.

Well yes, exactly. Good point. There may be a change in the brain - but it has not come from nowhere. It's been precipitated by trauma. Not chemicals.

OP posts:
alpacasandwich · 01/07/2017 20:36

Please define "evidence based therapies"

Surely it's self explanatory...?

ghostyslovesheets · 01/07/2017 20:37

I'm happy to discuss this - interesting subject, but OP you seem to be looking for a bit of a row so I'll bow out

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 01/07/2017 20:37

Why are we so quick to rule out environmental stress as a major factor in poor MH?

I've never met anyone in my capacity as a mental health nurse who thinks like this. By and large the majority of people understand that poor mental health cannot be boiled down to a single cause. In fact a lot of work is being focused now on the impact of past trauma, which in itself is a huge umbrella term for all sorts of experiences, on mental health.

alpacasandwich · 01/07/2017 20:37

No one is saying that "chemicals" cause things. In certain conditions there is a depletion of neurotransmitters or an excess (dopamine in hallucinations). Therefore correcting those levels reverses symptoms.

Original poster
mychemicalromance · 01/07/2017 20:37

"I think there's a tendency to write off for e.g. sexual assault survivors as just people who will always be really fucked up and you can't help them.

Mental health professionals all think this? Really??"

I was referring to the general population and absolutely the opposite of MH professionals. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

OP posts: