Anxiety Chemical Imbalance 

Answer:

It depends whom you speak to about this matter. 

If you go to your family doctor, he/she will likely tell you that you’re suffering from anxiety because of a chemical imbalance. Medical doctors use a biological model to explain what is going on.  

Alternatively, if you see a psychologist he/she will likely recommend treatment with psychotherapy (talk therapy) versus discussing it in the context of a chemical imbalance.  Nowadays psychologists are typically fairly familiar with psychopharmacology and the biological basis of behaviour so although they might not speak in terms of a chemical imbalance but they are not necessarilly refuting a chemical imbalance.  They would look at strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, among other things, to help with your anxiety versus focusing on a chemical imbalance. 

Chemical imbalances have been promoted heavily by medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies for conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc. but many leading scientists are not necessarilly subscribing to the school of thought on chemical imbalances.

Some interesting studies looking at chemical imblances have been completed with some interesting findings in this regard and I will list a few key points below.

When serotonin levels are boosted using something natural like tryptophan, mood is not improved.

Why is this significant?

Well the common antidepressants for anxiety and panic attacks, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are said to work by maintaining/boosting or serotonin levels or otherwise influencing serotonin.  This is of course would be the case if the chemical imbalance were caused by serotonin level.  But the above findings suggest that serotonin is not the answer.

It is thought by some that the placebo effect is at work when one improves from using these medications. 

The placebo effect happens when someone takes a medication for anxiety and his/her condition improves although not because the medication is working exactly as it is supposed to do but because for some reason it makes us feel better.  At times sugar pills were prescribed by doctors when they would see patients they determined to be hypochondriacs (now referred to as a psychosomatic disorder).  Often patients would improve from taking the pills, even though they contained nothing but sugar.

Many studies have shown that psychotherapy (particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can more effective than SSRI medications in combating anxiety and panic disorder.  Brain imaging studies have revealed that brain activity can be changed by a variety of activities (which could include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) so while there might be some sort of chemical imbalance associated with anxiety, one's thoughts might trigger the imbalance.  If this is the case then the implications would suggest that correcting / improving one's thoughts could change the chemical imbalance.  For more information about brain imaging studies and anxiety please subscribe to my newsletter (below).

In closing, I’m not telling you to stop taking medication, but if you have any doubts or concerns about medications or the chemical imbalance theory you should discuss them with your healthcare provider.