Despite the belief by many that a chemical imbalance causes depression in the brain, the connection between the two has yet to be proven. In fact, recent research found quite the opposite. The study evaluated the role serotonin played in depression in 100,000 people and found no difference between depressed and healthy people.
The Recent Study Findings
The research found no evidence that low serotonin levels were present in the subjects suffering from depression. As a result, the researchers speculate the practice of prescribing medications to treat chemical imbalance or low serotonin might not be the answer in all cases. Most antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), prescribed to correct low serotonin levels. The treatment replaces a missing biochemical not being produced to normal levels. However, if serotonin levels aren’t actually low, the treatment is possibly not required.
SSRIs as a Depression Treatment
Clinical trials have shown that SSRIs are an effective treatment for depression. Therefore, the impact of serotonin should not be the reason for patients to stop taking their antidepressants. Since antidepressants weren’t specifically designed to correct biological abnormalities such as reduced serotonin levels, the new research does not conclude antidepressants do not work. Because most depression cases do not have a known cause, further research is required to establish a tie to biological triggers.
The History of Serotonin and Depression
The belief that serotonin is a cause of depression has existed since the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s and the use of SSRIs that the belief became more widespread. This is a possible contributor to the belief depression is a chemical imbalance, with 4 out of 5 people believing this is true. To address this view, the latest research included a review of 17 studies on depression and serotonin.
The review found no difference in serotonin levels in the blood or brain fluids of healthy and depressed people. Lowering serotonin levels through diet also did not cause depression in healthy subjects. Genetic differences that determine how serotonin is processed were also found to have no impact on increasing the risk of depression. Finally, there was no difference in serotonin levels in healthy people under stress and people whose depression was caused by stress.
How Do SSRIs Work?
In essence, antidepressants have a numbing effect that helps calm anxiousness. As such, they don’t do anything to address the underlying causes of depression. Instead, many patients say they experience an “emotional numbing.” SSRIs may also cause serotonin level fluctuations that could help develop new brain cells. Conditions that cause repeated stress, like depression, cause a loss of neurons. If this is the case, the antidepressant could trigger new brain cell production instead of replacing low serotonin levels to help reduce the symptoms of depression.
This reverses the impact chronic stress has on the brain improving brain cell health in areas responsible for mood regulation. SSRIs alter brain chemicals, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF increases during exercise, which is regarded as an excellent natural antidepressant.
Delays in receiving mental health care have increased prescriptions for antidepressants through primary healthcare providers. It is essential to note that patients who undergo talk therapy with SSRIs see better outcomes than SSRIs alone.
The new findings might persuade more doctors to consider alternative treatments such as talk therapy instead of relying on SSRIs.
Neuropsychological Testing Can Diagnose Depression
One of the most effective methods of diagnosing depression is through neuropsychological testing, a process of problem solving to try and determine the core components of a person’s psychological or mental health problems, personality, IQ, or some other component. In addition to depression, neuropsychological testing can diagnose personality disorders (borderline or narcissistic), depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
The Chicago Mind Solutions Difference
Chicago Mind Solutions works with individuals, offering neuropsychological testing and non-invasive treatment for many mental health conditions. For more information about our treatments and teletherapy options, please contact us at (224) 723-5050 or email info@chicagomindsolutions.com.
