How your brain works

[moimeme]

If you want to understand how your brain works and the role of the chemicals in making it work well (or not), here's a really excellent article:

 

http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=160

[quankanne]

there's some pretty incredible stuff in here, Moi, AND it's well-written.

 

it's simply amazing to think how our bodies can get out of whack from a simple chemical imbalance!

[moimeme]

I posted this late last eve and it's dropped to the bottom of the pile so I thought I'd bump it for folks who have asked me for info on how brain chemistry works.

 

it's simply amazing to think how our bodies can get out of whack from a simple chemical imbalance!

 

There but for the grace of God...

[quankanne]

There but for the grace of God...

 

 

... "there, but for the consumption of booze, go I" (that'd throw blood chemistry outta whack, too)

[Arabess]

I'm one of those people who thought a whole lot of emotional problems were mind over matter. I thought most disorders were excuses for character flaws.

 

THEN, when I had hypoxia (lack of oxygen) due to a chemical pnemonia and didn't know it....there was a PROFOUD change in the way I was functioning. I was exhausted, weepy, confused....I was driving poorly and almost caused two wrecks. I was ill tempered and could make no decisions. It was awful. I didn't post on here for almost 3 weeks beause my own 'thinking' was out of whack.

 

I learned a great lesson. There ARE chemical imbalances and medical problems which are out of your control and can mess you up. My previous assessment on the issue was VERY VERY wrong.

 

So I urge everyone to read the link provided. It will give you insights and remedies for dealing with various problems. Some other people's.....and some YOURS! HAHA!

[moimeme]

I'm one of those people who thought a whole lot of emotional problems were mind over matter. I thought most disorders were excuses for character flaws.

 

Unfortunately, Arabess, there are still millions of people who still think this. Help spread the word where you can. Once people are enlightened about this stuff, they'll stop blaming sick people for being sick. There is a HUGE need for public education about this matter.

[ladyangel]

Originally posted by moimeme

I'm one of those people who thought a whole lot of emotional problems were mind over matter. I thought most disorders were excuses for character flaws.

 

Unfortunately, Arabess, there are still millions of people who still think this. Help spread the word where you can. Once people are enlightened about this stuff, they'll stop blaming sick people for being sick. There is a HUGE need for public education about this matter.

Moimeme - A personal thanks to you for helping to educate people on this topic.

[moimeme]

Moimeme - A personal thanks to you for helping to educate people on this topic.

 

I appreciate that, LA. Now if only this dang thread would get more hits. Mind you, without the number of views, I guess I'll never know who read it. Anyhoo, everybody, bear Arabess' post in mind and please pass this information on wherever you can. Every person who learns and understands this stuff will reduce the stigma on folks who are suffering mental and emotional problems that much more.

[Stone]

That was a great artical....I sent it to all my freinds

[ladyangel]

Originally posted by moimeme

Moimeme - A personal thanks to you for helping to educate people on this topic.

 

I appreciate that, LA. Now if only this dang thread would get more hits. Mind you, without the number of views, I guess I'll never know who read it. Anyhoo, everybody, bear Arabess' post in mind and please pass this information on wherever you can. Every person who learns and understands this stuff will reduce the stigma on folks who are suffering mental and emotional problems that much more.

Maybe if you changed the title of the thread...put in the word crazy or lunatic or nutso or stupid or lazy -- you know, all those words that come to mind when some people think of mental illness.

[Arabess]

OR.....How to deal with the OTHER brain in your life.....HAHA!

[moimeme]

Excellent ideas, ladies!

[faux]

Originally posted by moimeme

I'm one of those people who thought a whole lot of emotional problems were mind over matter. I thought most disorders were excuses for character flaws.

 

Unfortunately, Arabess, there are still millions of people who still think this. Help spread the word where you can. Once people are enlightened about this stuff, they'll stop blaming sick people for being sick. There is a HUGE need for public education about this matter.

 

Most problems really are "all in your head". Medication did not help me one bit with dealing with my Bipolar diagnosis. I notice that medication often makes people worse, as they tend to believe they need it. I had to adapt on my own, through alternative thinking and other methods, to get to where I am today. I will always carry this diagnosis with me through my life, but I can rest assured that medical professionals agree I do not need medication, or further therapy, to live a mostly-normal life.

 

I am certainly one of the very lucky few who can live with Bipolar disorder and not be dependent on medication, especially when one considers my past. I will state this again later, but so far as medication goes: Some people do need medication to get on track again in their lives. Medication did not work for me, and I was able to adjust on my own, but it is an option everyone should be willing to at least look into in certain situations.

 

I do not think anyone should ever blame another for "being sick", having been sick myself. Medication can work for some people, but the mind can also heal itself in some ways. No matter what the mental problem, one can adapt to live a normal life and overcome ones "mental illness". I still believe it is wrong to depend on medication, however. I feel it changes, and takes away from, who you are intended to be.

 

Now if only I could fix my apparent learning disability in mathematics!

[Thinkalot]

Thanks for the link Merry, and for being so enlightened and understanding in your views. You've sure helped me.

[brashgal]

Wow - thanks so much for the link - this explains so much! I feel much less weird and alone.

[moimeme]

Most problems really are "all in your head

 

Faux. This is an opinion. Yours. It flies in the face of thousands upon thousands of studies to the contrary conducted by professionals. So, please, do not state your opinion as though it is anything remotely resembling fact.

 

I still believe it is wrong to depend on medication

 

So? Would you say that to a diabetic? What about people with thyroid conditions? Look, Faux, like it or not, the brain is an organ like all others. It's no different or special, it's a hunk of meat and, like every other organ, it is subject to ailments which require medication to be fixed. So, thanks for your opinion, but this thread is about fact and knowledge. People like you prevent others from seeking the treatments which could change their lives.

[yes]

look at it this way (and correct me if i'm wrong here, but this is what makes sense to me):

 

take two issues: high blood pressure and depression.

 

if the cause is pure genetic, all you can in both cases is go on meds and be careful with certain aspects of your life.

 

if you have an exteme case, obviously meds will be used to stabilize you in both cases.

 

if the cause isn't pure genetic and the case isn't extreme, i.e. you didn't exercise/eat properly/etc and ended up w/ high blood pressure, or similarly you had negative attitude/didn't conduct your life in a good way/etc and ended up depressed (notice how similar!), the usual recommendation is meds AND change of the aspects of your life that led to the problem.

 

i agree that it's silly to rely on meds entirely - it's important to exercise and avoid certain foods if you have high blood pressure, and it's important to do talk-therapy and change your attitude, etc in the case of depression, but meds are clearly a useful part of the process.

 

that's how i see it.

 

my 2c,

-yes