Ahuli - Everything Will Be Alright :-)

I worry about all the prozac that was dispensed in the ’80’s and ’90’s. Everyone was taking those “happy pills”. I did try also. But my brain chemistry just got overwhelmed and I slept a great deal. I withdrew from them after a short trial period. I just managed to get through my divorce the hard way. I cried, joined support groups. Bought new clothes, made new friends. And maybe that was OK.

Which came first the chicken or the egg? When it comes to brain chemistry it is hard to tell which comes first, Brain chemistry or the event that alters brain chemistry.

It is my opinion that there is a limbic system near the hyppocampus and amygdala that will replay things in a circular motion. It is like a looping feedback mechanism. It is that broken record that replays constantly. I am not the first to note this. 20 years ago there was some break through research on this. I don’t have it at my finger tips.

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What happens is this: You experience an emotional upset. Usually within a few hours your emotional state will re-balance itself. Let’s say you get in a fender bender on the highway. It all depends, but, if other things in your life are OK: You will be distressed for a while, but then you will snap out of it. Even for that short amount of time your brain is doing some odd things with stimulation of hormones to quiet your nerves. You are probably producing endorphins and seratonin to help re establish the status quo. That is just life.

If you experience a life altering event like the death of a spouse or loved one. The intensity of that loss will cause the feed back loop to go into full swing. You will be replaying this event even subconsciously for quite a while.

There is also the problem with what goes up must come down. A long term depression will alter many body functions. It also appears that depression will suppress other brain chemicals from functioning normally. But like a volcano effect, at some point all those suppressed functions of a normal health brain will erupt.

The eruptions looks like mania. It will take different forms. One day Sally will spring out of bed and go to Las Vegas and gamble away lots of money after being in bed and mopping for two months. Many mental health professionals will refer to this as mania. Mania is crazy energy bursts. People will drive their car very fast, get a make over, stay up for days doing a new project.

Personally I don’t think there is a perfect medication for depression or manic/depressive disorder. I am not a fan of pill popping. But I would not advise anyone going off medication without discussing it with your doctor. Most mood stabilizers work on the central nervous system be sedating it. Going through life sedated is no real answer in my book.

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Already I see lots of numb people on the streets. When I look in their eyes I see a zombie looking back. It just makes me wonder about using medication as the only therapy to correct “brain chemistry”.

One thing I would suggest is a change in your everyday pattern. Even some some life style changes can make a difference. Go stay with a best friend for a few days. Plan an impromtu vacation to do something you have always wanted to do.

These are band aid measures. But what will happen is that limbic recycling patter will get interupted. Just know that when you get back from this little break you will need to seek out a counselor to map out a strategy to change how you are functioning in a day to day manner. This is a quick fix. Some people will spend 24 hours in a bar in Mexico. “Margarita Ville” is not a healthy choice, but I see people do that.

You will have to pick up the pieces after a life storm and get back to every day life. Maybe with the support of others even your every day life can be less treacherous and more rewarding.

This is open to discussion. When it comes to depression, no one has all the answers, and maybe least of all “Big Pharma”…the trillion dollar pharmacuetical industry. They make lots of money on mood disorders, but do they have the last word?

I wonder.

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