Is PD Caused by a Chemical Imbalance?

Since one can NOT obtain a Test for Chemical Imbalance in the brain, how has it ever been proven that anxiety, panic attacks or other mental disorders have been attributed to such a so-called imbalance? Please let me know if there is a new test to calculate chemical imbalance in the brain. For years I’ve heard of this “chemical imbalance” propaganda but have never seen real evidence that it actually exists.
Thank you in advance for a reply ti my question.

I to do not believe a chemical imbalance is the cause, as there is no test to prove this. I have tried many ssri’s and such just to end up in the er sicker from side effects trying to fix this so called chemical imbalance. I do believe there are pieces of the puzzle. Could just be a anxious personality, ones stessful situation, I know that people with panic have a high regard for others.We have a disorder, we may need tranquilizers the rest of our lives when we panic on bad days. We are not addicts and should not ever be comepared to someone without this disorder. We use benzos responsibly, as what is worse? The panic that drs. say can or cannot harm us? Is there a test for that? I was always taught that panic cannot harm us. I am hopeful for a cause and cure one day.

I wish there was a simple blood test to see if panic is caused by a chemical imbalance. I’m just not sure.

I’ve been on several ssri and to several therapists but still have problems. I’m very careful with benzos and they are a lifesaver for me.

Yes, it would be great if there was a test, but we have to accept that for the time being there is not – at least as far as I know! I have taken medication for some 30 years now and my life has changed for the better.
I’m in my sixties and feel well and healthy.
This would not be so without my doctor’s help. My teenage and early adult years were a nightmare; the decision to take permanent medication difficult for me; but I am SO glad I did.

Is there proof? Proof, when it comes to brain chemicals are almost impossible to determine. Most people would not allow a doctor to cut into our heads to put receptors in, and subject us to things that cause our panic/anxiety, just to say…yes, we have proof that this is what is causing it…and not just that, they would have to do about 100,000 times to to other people to make sure the test results were accurate, and if one person reacted differently, then they would have to do it 200,000 times or more. That will not happen, but what they can do, is CT scans and MRIs and other brain imaging tests (which will only be accurate if the person is feeling the panic/anxiety at the time)and then map the areas of the brain that are active, or in other cases, inactive.
The brain has been mapped, and they know which part of the brain makes which chemical. Some parts make one chemical..some make more than one…some parts make nothing at all that they have detected.
When they see a part of the brain is MORE active, they say the reaction causes the chemical to be released. However, when some people have more of a chemical (or activity in a certain area of the brain), even when there is no action/reaction, they begin to wonder if the chemical MAY BE responsible for the (over) reactions when they occur.
There is no way test how much of a chemical is normal or abnormal, but from looking at thousands of brains and studying their behavior, they can get an idea of what range should be normal.
True, pharmaceutical companies love to hear that ‘disorders’ are caused by chemicals, because that is what they get paid to fix, but understand that drugs are not evil. they are also not the cure-all. They are a step in the process, and each process is different for each person. Some people are helped by meditation…some by exercise…some by diet…and of course some by drugs. taken alone each of these things help, combine them all and anxiety can become nothing more that a ‘crick in the neck’, not fun, but not debilitating.
I hope this answers some of your questions, but more than anything, I hope you understand that science and companies should not be confused. If the studies follow the proper procedures and if you read to make sure that they are not just ‘clinical studies,’ the EVIDENCE (not proof) should be a sign to find out more. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! Good luck!

There is no concrete proof, but there are definitely processes out there than can be indicative of certain neurotransmitter issues.
A QEEG may be helpful in concert with other gauges.
Some specialists now used QEEGs as an adjunct to help confirm diagnoses.
For example, my alpha waves are well below norms and this apparently was a good reason why I should not take SSRIs which also reduce these waves.
Everincreasing research is documenting the mysteries of the brain and I’m confident that in the not too distant future there will be means to identify lack of serotonin, dopamine etc etc.
QEEGs are already done as a helpful adjunct to diagnosis of ADHD, which is largely a problem with low dopamine.
It will be a while before these processes become mainstream, but they are out there and they already have empirical research to back them up…

There is no “test” for the GABA levels in the brain responsible for anxiety and panic disorders. GABA exists only between the frontal cortex and the amigdala in the mid part of the brain and this neurotransmitter is responsible for normal excitation of the brain in necessary circumstances. It does appear, however, that some individuals (through genetics) have GABA that is “out of balance” and activitates “fear” responses when there is nothing to fear….hense, anxiety and panic for no apparent reason. Family history is often a good indicator of potential for anxiety problems and having family members who are “anxious”, use alcohol to “calm their nerves” or who are “worriers”, etc…. make it highly likely that individuals in the younger levels of the family may have what it takes to have panic and anxiety. It is easily managed with appropriate anxiolytic medication which is NOT particularly dependency related (only about 9%) might over a lifetime but the positive effects are worth the dependence. Nicotine is 33% dependency related and alcohol is 25%…worse than the meds…

I have done an extensive literature search on panic disorder as I am a biologist and have had PD for 50 years. There is SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE that the root of PD is in the brain. It may be BRAIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION or IT MAY BE NEUROTRANSMITTER FUNCTION…..The term “Chemical Imbalance” means nothing as we do not have the tests to be able to measure just what this means. There is in all likelihood some problems with both BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS and with SEROTONIN RECEPTORS as these two chemical groups work in amerliorating the symptoms of a panic attack. Interestingly people with PD rarely get high or abuse BENZODIAZEPINES – contrary to popular belief. They also get relief from using SSRI drugs, especially PAXIL and ZOLOFT….Having had it for 50 years I have tried everything and it won’t go away….I have to be medicated…..But again I follow my doctor’s orders exactly…..So the answer is yes…there is probably a problem in your brain….but you are not insane….and can function with proper therapy and medications if therapy alone doesn’t do it….

I feel everyone is different. None of our bodies are alike at all…similar but not exactly alike. We are normal people with a panic disorder. If fact I feel people with pd are very intellegent, loving, sensitive, respectful, honest people. We are highly sensitive persons. There is a website about it. We don’t need a brain transplant. We will be okay.

What is the website your talking about Kren?

Just search HSP…highly sensitive people. I think its a piece to the puzzle.

I have anxiety and panic disorders,and I have to watch my reactions at work, because I feel everyone is out to get me, and there not, I actually get praised for my work. That makes me feel good, But, meds, caused me to be anxious at work and I called my pychiastrist at work telling him I needed some ativans, inwhich he prescribed. Mood stabliers make me worse. They cause me panic and anxiety. I have to work on my thinking and cognitive behavior.

I used to have panic and anxiety disorder and I feel it was caused by a sudden death to someone close to me. I felt like I hit rock bottom and had constant anxiety attacks, I started studying psychology and worked on myself as a person. 4 years later I feel great and the anxiety is gone. I think if you want you can get out of the condition.

I do not believe there is a cure for Anxiety disorder. I have had it 20+ years get better then worse again, never leaving me totally. I have tried so many tests, meds. therapy, that I can say that only Acupunture and Chiropractic treatment did bring relief, along with social work. As meds. are not a option for me, I only got sicker and er visits from side effects. The benzos work wonders for really bad days.

I tried really hard to find out the answer to this so I went on the Dr. Phil Show.. He said, I am getting something out of this !! Please someone tell me what we get out of this because I am really clueless.

I am sorry about that kind of treatment. I really wish professionals could help us with our disorder not make us panic even worse.I have gotten the same nonsense at the er for panic attacks. Like we can control it or something. If they had it then they would talk to us in a different tune. We deserve more respect. How do we even know what causes it for sure? So dahhh why not help, and not shame us for it.