The topic of medication is a complicated one. I have had heard repeatedly from clients that they do not want to even consider going down this path, for good reasons. We are all too aware of personal and public stories where pills have been handed out like candy. People have seen loved ones dealing with side effects that can outweigh benefits. Worst of all, there is a pervasive message that medications mean that someone is weak or “simply” avoiding their issues with drugs. No wonder the mere mention of the topic is provocative.
Yet, for many, medications can make the difference between staying in bed or being able to go to work, from being paralyzed by panic or being able to function. I want to clarify that the popular perspective is not only inaccurate, it is adds unfair judgments that can cause people to stay away from what they might badly need.
The main point of this article is to highlight the reality that skills can only go so far. Invisible to the naked eye are brain structures and chemistry that can play a major role. These are things we cannot out-think nor help with talk therapy. One particular area is something scientists identified years ago. They are called neurotransmitters, the communication system that impacts all areas of the body, ranging from heart beats, movement, and even… pooping. While each chemical has complicated functions, the three that are most often implicated in moods and their corresponding behaviors are highlighted below:
- Dopamine: impacts desire, motivation, productivity and motor control. Some brain issues can impact normal levels (such as Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s), as can brain development and aging. This can impair memory, mood, attention, learning, and sleep. It has also been linked to anorexia and obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Serotonin: during a seminar on nutrition, the facilitator affectionately said the “s” stands for satisfied. This neurotransmitter signals that we are happy and content. It takes away the fluctuations in mood and helps with the quality of sleep. Those who struggle with depression, anxiety and insomnia are often found to not have enough Serotonin in their system.
- Norepinephrine: a major chemical involved in the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of sugar in the blood.
These neurotransmitters can be aided with exercise, nutrition, meditation and self-care. However, in many cases, it is not enough to bring the needed levels of relief. However, there is a complication. The strategies mentioned above require a lifestyle change because the deficiencies are ongoing. If there is insufficient dopamine, there might not be not enough dopamine to feel motivated to make the effort. If there is a serotonin deficiency, it will not bring a sense of satisfaction afterwards. Therefore, either discipline or external accountability would be required until there is adequate chemical balance to sustain.
We also need balanced chemistry to have a shot at any skills being effective. One client, after months of working on skills, took six hours to calm down once a trigger occurred. Once the right medication was found and the mind chemically calmed, the skills had a chance to take hold and the recovery time decreased to thirty minutes! Another client was so depressed, daily tasks and hygiene went out the window. It took medication along with therapy to help this person have enough interest in life and energy to engage be able to go to work.
It is easy to misunderstand or ignore those things that we cannot see. Hopefully, this provides one aspect of the physiological implications in moods. When we are struggling, the goal is to find effective, healthy relief. When it comes to ailments like heart conditions or migraines, we do not expect sufferers to be “strong enough” to function without medications. Let’s give those who are afflicted with mental health issues to have the same level of compassion. Should you hope to talk through this further, please call me at 303-915-5597. You may also consider gathering other perspectives through knowledgeable doctors, including a primary care physician.
Resources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/neurotransmitters
https://brain-sharp.com/blogs/news/increase-dopamine-levels
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin
https://www.drjoecarver.com/clients/49355/File/Chemical%20Imbalance.html