Bipolar
Disorder (Manic-Depressive) is pure "classic" Junk science.
Psychiatry is Junk
science
No scientific data that Psychiatry works!
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Snapshot: |
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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.
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