Body: | Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive) is pure "classic" Junk science.
Psychiatry is Junk science
No scientific data that Psychiatry works!
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Snapshot:
Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive) is one of many specific categories of anxiety in DSM-IV. Anxiety is a behaviour choice not a disease.
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A. Snapshot summary:
1. Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive, is a
behaviour choice not a disease. They have perfectly healthy bodies.
2. People become overly excited or depressed because they lack
self-control.
3. Treating Bi-polar with drugs is like smashing a computer
because of a software virus.
4. While people may condition and train themselves to experience
sudden panic fits for an infinite number of specific things, it is not a
disease.
5. Jesus commands us to be anxious for nothing and never be
depressed. Anxiety and depression are sinful behaviour choices which are
"cured" through self-control not drugs.
B. What biopsychiatrists, drug companies and governments say:
Notice they admit they have no idea what causes it: "Research to define
causes of social anxiety is ongoing"
1. "At the present time, there is no proof that biology causes
schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, or any other functional mental
disorder" (Pseudoscience in Biological Psychiatry, Colin A. Ross, M.D., &
Alvin Pam, Ph.D., 1995, p. 90).
2. "What causes bipolar disorder? No one knows for sure what
causes bipolar disorder. It is not caused by bad parenting nor is it a
consequence of a personality disorder, moral weakness, or a fault in
character. Research shows that genes play a strong role and may cause
changes in brain chemistry and abnormalities in the way brain nerve cells
function. People with the disorder may be more vulnerable to emotional and
physical stresses and a lack of sleep, the break-up of an important
relationship, drug and alcohol use, changes in routine or excessive
stimulation may cause a chemical imbalance that can trigger a manic
episode. There is no laboratory test, x-ray or brain scan that can be used
to make a definitive diagnosis. Instead, the doctor takes a careful history
and bases the diagnoses on a group of symptoms that occur together. ... How
is bipolar disorder treated? Medication is the cornerstone of treating
bipolar disorder. Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent disorder, most
people will require long-term treatment." (What is Bipolar Disorder, Mood
Disorders Association of Ontario, procure funded by education grant from
Eli Lilly Canada inc.)
3. "The Nature of the Illness: We do not know what causes the
appearance of manic and depressive episodes. Some persons may be
genetically predisposed in such a way that they respond more readily than
others with mania or depression to internal and external influences.
Insufficient resolution of deep personality problems may play a role. It is
possible that changes in the metabolism of the brain are of significance
for the development of episodes." (Lithium Treatment of Manic-Depressive
Illness: A Practical Guide, Mogens Schou, Karger, 6th, revised edition
2004, p8)
4. "Although the initially reported chromosomal localizations of
genes responsible for manic-depressive disorder (Egeland et al., 1987) and
schizophrenia (Sherrington et al., 1988) have been questioned (Byerley,
1989; Kelsoe et al., 1989), the genetic approach is bound to succeed
ultimately." (The Biological Approach to Psychiatry, Samuel H. Barondes,
The Journal of Neuroscience, June 1990)
5. "What Causes Bipolar Disorder? ... Studies of identical twins,
who share all the same genes, indicate that both genes and other factors
play a role in bipolar disorder. If bipolar disorder were caused entirely
by genes, then the identical twin of someone with the illness would always
develop the illness, and research has shown that this is not the case. But
if one twin has bipolar disorder, the other twin is more likely to develop
the illness than is another sibling. ... Brain-imaging studies are helping
scientists learn what goes wrong in the brain to produce bipolar disorder
and other mental illnesses. ... There is evidence from imaging studies that
the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of
healthy individuals. As the differences are more clearly identified and
defined through research, scientists will gain a better understanding of
the underlying causes of the illness, and eventually may be able to predict
which types of treatment will work most effectively." (Bipolar Disorder,
National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH, 2006)
6. "Theories about causes: There is no single cause of anxiety or
depression. ... Some scientists believe that anxiety is a learned response,
that people are taught to fear situations or objects. Some psychoanalytic
theory suggests that anxiety stems from an unconscious conflict, an
illness, fright, or emotionally laden event that happened to the victim as
a child. ... Stress, like the loss of a loved one, a divorce or even a
promotion at work, can all bring on depression or mania in susceptible
individuals. Finally, in the cases of each of anxiety, depression and manic
depression, scientists are learning the importance of brain biochemistry.
Biochemical imbalances seem more and more to be a significant part of the
problem. Treatments: Anxiety, depression and manic depression are illnesses
that can be treated very successfully with a combination of psychotherapy
and medication. Anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, mood
stabilizers and other medications aimed at alleviating symptoms are widely
available through physicians. In cases of depression where other treatments
have failed or are not possible, electroconvulsive therapy has been used
with success. Also self-help support groups help people feel less isolated
in that sufferers can hear the words of others who have been through
similar experiences." (Anxiety, Depression and Manic Depression, Canadian
Psychiatric Association, APA, Brochure produced through a health education
grant from: Eli Lilly Canada Inc., Pfizer Canada Inc., and SmithKline
Beecham Inc., three drug companies, 2007)
7. "Are Manic-Depressive Patients in Fact Patients? In this book
I use the term 'patients' about persons who suffer from manic depressive
illness, but I do it reluctantly." (Lithium Treatment of Manic-Depressive
Illness: A Practical Guide, Mogens Schou, Karger, 6th, revised edition
2004, p9)
8. "On Being, Manic-Depressive: Textbooks in psychiatry often
stress that manic-depressive patients are completely healthy and entirely
free of disease signs during the intervals between manic and depressive
episodes, at least if they have the disease in typical form." (Lithium
Treatment of Manic-Depressive Illness: A Practical Guide, Mogens Schou,
Karger, 6th, revised edition 2004, p10)
9. "Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects how a person
feels, thinks and acts. It is a sickness in the brain. When people have
bipolar disorder, their brain works differently from the usual way. Our
brains help us to think, feel and act in certain ways. ... Chemicals in the
brain that are off balance cause bipolar disorder. But we don't know for
sure what makes the chemicals go off balance." (When a parent has bipolar
disorder... What kids want to know, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
CAMH, Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, 2006)
10. "What are the causes of bipolar disorder? While the exact cause of
bipolar disorder is not known, most scientists believe that bipolar
disorder is likely caused by multiple factors that interact with each other
to produce a chemical imbalance affecting certain parts of the brain.
Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and studies suggest a genetic
component to the illness. A stressful environment or negative life events
may interact with an underlying genetic or biological vulnerability to
produce the disorder. ... How is bipolar disorder treated? While there is
no cure for bipolar disorder, it is a treatable and manageable illness.
After an accurate diagnosis, most people can achieve an optimal level of
wellness. Medication is an essential element of successful treatment for
people with bipolar disorder." (Bipolar disorder, NAMI, National Alliance
on Mental Illness, Ken Duckworth, MD, October 2006)
11. "I am constantly amazed by how many patients who come to see me
believe or want to believe that their difficulties are biologic and can be
relieved by a pill. This is despite the fact that modern psychiatry has yet
to convincingly prove the genetic/biologic cause of any single mental
illness. However, this does not stop psychiatry from making essentially
unproven claims that depression, bipolar illness, anxiety disorders,
alcoholism and a host of other disorders are in fact primarily biologic and
probably genetic in origin, and that it is only a matter of time until all
this is proven. This kind of faith in science and progress is staggering,
not to mention naive and perhaps delusional. (Against Biologic Psychiatry,
Dr. David Kaiser, Psychologist, Psychiatric Times, December, Dec. 1996,
Vol. XIII, Issue 12)
12. "Yet conclusions such as "depression is a chemical imbalance" are
created out of nothing more than semantics and the wishful thinking of
scientist/psychiatrists and a public who will believe anything now that has
the stamp of approval of medical science." (Against Biologic Psychiatry,
Dr. David Kaiser, Psychologist, Psychiatric Times, December, Dec. 1996,
Vol. XIII, Issue 12)
13. "What are the causes of Depression? The cause of depression is
unknown. For some people an obvious stress seems to a precipitating factor,
for others depression may occur without any apparent reason. There is
evidence to suggest that depression is a biological disorder.
Neurotransmitters in the brain may be thought of as chemical messengers
that transmit information across various pathways. It is believed that
depression is caused by a chemical imbalance involving a deficiency in one
or more neurotransmitters. What about psychological factors? Certain
stressful events such as the death of a loved one, end of a marriage or
love affair, or financial loss may produce depression in predisposed
individuals. ... What is the treatment for depression? There are two kinds
of treatments for depression. The first of these is drug treatment which
includes several classes of drugs, and the second is electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) ot electro-shock treatment." (Depression: A Treatable
Illness, Lilly Eli, drug company)
14. "IS DEPRESSION HEREDITARY? No one knows exactly what causes
depression. Several factors may be at work, alone or combined.
Neurotransmitters are the chemical "messengers" that transmit signals
between brain cells. They start the complex chemical interactions that
influence behaviour, feelings and thoughts. In some mood disorders there is
evidence that some aspect of this neurotransmission goes wrong. Some drug
treatments appear to fight this. We will discuss these drugs in more detail
below. Depressive disorders may also be linked to money problems, physical
ailments, hormones, mid-life crises, even personality and upbringing.
Change, loss or stress can trigger depression. Losing a loved one through
death or divorce, losing a job, giving birth or moving to a new home are
common examples. Such mood shifts are usually temporary. But people may
need treatment if symptoms continue. Genes may be the source of some
depressions. Children, brothers and sisters of people with a depressive
disorder seem to have a higher risk of similar problems. But it isn't yet
clear how depression passes across generations. Some experts believe family
environment may also play a role. Children growing up in a household with a
depressed or manic person may not learn healthy ways of handling stress.
ARE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE? New therapies relieve the symptoms and mood
changes, letting sufferers lead normal lives. A variety of treatments are
available, which may be used alone or together. The choice depends on the
patient's condition, diagnosis and personality. IS DEPRESSION CAUSED BY
CHEMICAL IMBALANCES? Some prescribed drugs change moods. One drug that
controls blood pressure can bring on depression. One for tuberculosis can
cause euphoria. Drug therapy Drugs to relieve depression have been
available for more than 30 years. They are very effective for some forms of
depression. But even when they work well, antidepressant drugs act slowly
and produce some side effects. Such effects led researchers to wonder if
mood disorders came from chemical disturbances in the body or brain. If so,
could they be put right by drugs? Intensive study has produced major
advances in treating mental disorders, including depression."
(Understanding Depression, Ministry of Health, Government of Ontario, 2007)
14. "Depression is an illness that can begin gradually or suddenly. Its
specific cause is unknown, it may be stress induced, or a biological
disorder, a chemical imbalance involving a deficiency in one or more
neurotransmitter, scientists just are not sure." (Depression, Eli Lilly
inc. drug company, 2007)
15. "The brain consists of billions of neurons or cells that must
communicate with each other. The communication between neurons maintains
all body functions, informs us when a fly lands on our hand, or when we
have pain. The communication between neurons is controlled by the brain's
type and level of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical
substances that control and create signals in the brain both between and
within neurons. Without neurotransmitters, there would be no communication
between neurons. The heart wouldn't get a signal to beat, arms and legs
wouldn't know to move, etc. As we discovered more about neurotransmitters,
we began to identify which neurotransmitters controlled certain bodily
functions or which were related to certain emotional/psychiatric
difficulties. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, was found to be related to
body temperature and the onset of sleep. Research also identified Serotonin
as related to depression and later to a variety of mental health conditions
such as anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As research in
neurotransmitters continued, studies between neurotransmitters and mental
conditions revealed a strong connection between amounts of certain
neurotransmitters in the brain and the presence of specific psychiatric
conditions. Using an everyday example, our automobile operates by using a
variety of fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and
coolant (anti-freeze). Every automobile has a way to measure the levels or
amounts of each of these needed liquids such as the dipstick for oil and
transmission fluid and marked indicators for anti-freeze and brake-fluid
levels. Using our dipstick to measure engine oil, for an example, we can
find our engine to be found one, two, or even three quarts low. After a
recent oil change, the dipstick may also tell us that we have excessive oil
in the engine. To work properly, all fluid levels must be in the "normal
range" as indicated by the dipstick. When we receive a blood test, values
of certain blood components are given with the "normal range" also
provided, indicating if a blood chemical is below or above the average
range. Neurological research has identified over fifty (50)
neurotransmitters in the brain. Research also tells us that several
neurotransmitters are related to mental health problems - Dopamine,
Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid). Too much or
too little of these neurotransmitters are now felt to produce psychiatric
conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD. Unfortunately, the body doesn't
have a built-in dipstick for neurotransmitters, at least one that's
inexpensive enough for community mental health practice. There are advanced
imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scans) that
are being utilized in research and in the development of medications that
directly influence changes in specific neurotransmitters. Lacking a PET
Scanner, most professionals evaluate neurotransmitter levels by looking for
indicators in thought, behavior, mood, perception, and/or speech that are
considered related to levels of certain neurotransmitters. ... The
technical aspects of neurotransmitter levels, the psychiatric symptoms they
produce, and how medications have been developed to raise or lower the
brain levels of these neurotransmitters can be very complicated. ... For
many years, mental health professionals have used the term "chemical
imbalance" to explain the need for medications that are used to treat
mental health conditions. This simple and commonly used explanation
recognizes that the condition is a medical problem and that it can be
treated with medication. The "chemical imbalance" explanation also reflects
the overall theme of treatment - identifying what neurotransmitters are
involved in the clinical symptom picture and with medication, attempting to
return that neurotransmitter level back to the "normal range". ... We are
all at-risk for changes in our brain's chemistry. Mostly commonly, we will
experience depression, anxiety, or stress reactions. As our
neurotransmitters change, they bring with them additional symptoms,
behaviors, and sensations that add to our on-going difficulties.
Recognizing these changes is an important part of treatment and returning
your life to normal and reducing our stress." (The Chemical Imbalance in
Mental Health Problems, Joseph M. Carver, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist)
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Notice that this entire article sounds convincing, but the Ph.D. level Clinical Psychologist admits he cannot prove chemical imbalances exist. He says: "Unfortunately, the body doesn't have a built-in dipstick for neurotransmitters". He admits there is no way of testing. This is the kind of article that the public read, not realizing that there is no actual proof, only assumptions, guesses, associations and theory. He also misleads the public by using the analogy of fluid levels in a car and neurotransmitters like Serotonin in the brain. It is well known that mentally ill people have perfectly normal levels of neurotransmitters like Serotonin in their bodies.
Conclusion:
1. Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive) is an emotion that results
from a choice whose origin is the human spirit.
2. Hyper behaviour, anxiety and depression is a behaviour choice
not a disease.
3. It is important to ask, "What benefit is this individual
deriving from engaging in this behaviour of Bipolar Disorder
(Manic-Depressive)." Often these behaviours are a means to an end for
personal gain.
4. There is no scientific evidence that any Bipolar Disorder
(Manic-Depressive) is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
5. Jesus commanded us not to be anxious or depressed. Work on
your self-control instead of drugs to free yourself of all anxiety and
depression.
By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
Send us your story about your experience with modern Psychiatry
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