Can you changey your own brain chemistry enough to heal bipolar?

Hi William,

Sean has written a very erudite response and I do agree with him that there is no definitive scientific answer per se regarding biological/genetic connections re: Bipolar (and Schizophrenia also where a lot of work has been done.)  However, statistics do exist.  Although, you can only take statistics so far.  I will concede to that as well.  Yet again, you also can not ignore them.

I can also not ignore that my mother is completely Bipolar as all get out and my genetic history is a disaster! Purely anecdotal evidence but I factor that into my life!

People like Breggin (and others) can take a very strong and imbalanced stance.  That is just my opinion but I highly value "Freedom of Speech."  He has every right to say what he wishes.  We all do.

Nonetheless, I have seen people that need their meds desperately (such as myself) others that have gone off them (more for Depression, AD(H)D than Bipolar) and others that may do fine--and yet, others can relapse.  That is just what I have witnessed.

Bipolar is a different animal than the others due the highs and lows.  Not to mention people having Delusions, Psychoses (that may occur with Depression.)  However, that is why different meds are prescribed for Bipolar.  You would never prescribe an Anticonvulsant for Depression or AD(H)D!

As far as other things on the scientific side? One thing in its infancy is Neuroplasticity that I find fascinating! The chance and opportunity for the brain to be altered via neuronal change! I actually keep hoping that, should it play out, should it be a winner for Bipolar (and my other comorbidities) let it happen while I'm still alive!

I will also say that we are all different.  Each and every one of us, our brains, neurochemistry, or genetic heritage.  That is why this is such a puzzle that people are trying to figure out! That is also why I take a balanced approach.  You can not base your own neurochemistry, diagnoses etc... simply upon someone else's.  I wish we all could to find some sort of way to just wipe it all out but I find that rather unrealistic. 

Perhaps if there was a gene discovered, some little codon somewhere or something else...a way to concoct a "vaccine" or something, wouldn't that be lovely.  We're nowhere even close to that! I also find that rather unrealistic but genetics never was my forte (i.e. gene mapping but I did figure out green eye colour which was neat and the gene for that!)

Anyway, it's too much of a puzzle with so many variables involved.  That is why the scientific studies are continuing to be done. 

Recall what I said about Neuroplasticity and studying that? Now, if it weren't for science continuing in the direction of Neurology...well, Neuroplasticity might actually be the closest we'll get to "healing brains" for a lot of things!

I'm not sure if that helps you or not but take care,

PA