Mapping the Effects of Therapy on the Brain - Freedomain Radio interview with Dr Gabriel Dichter

Dr Gabriel Dichter, the Director of UNC-CH Clinical Affective Neuroscience, describes his amazing work on brain imaging.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• morality
• philosophy
• therapy
• brain
• mind
• freedomain radio

[qstendious]

Is this video part 4 of "the bomb in the brain" series?

[PsyogiBottoms]

So I have to argue that there exist a need for some genetically damaged individuals for whom a medication to correct an imbalance is necessary for life.

Just as a Diabetic will need Insulin for the rest of their lives as well.

You could not control the effects of Diabetes with therapy and self help books - you would still suffer the physical imbalance a medication is necessary.

I believe for some this is also true of an authentic chemical depression - but not of those that are just sad.

[PsyogiBottoms]

and I might add these chemical 'triggers' were unrelated to emotional events. I suffer a 'true chemical depression' not an emotional one.

My depression manifests itself as horrific rumination about my death, illness, feeling inside like something was horribly wrong, but there was no real 'sickness' to treat.

Massive panic attacks out of nowhere, attacks of vertigo, heart racing, cold sweats, and gripped by an unseen terror that literally made it difficult to stay conscious.

One pill - no more.

[PsyogiBottoms]

Specifically with IBS - It has been a literal Miracle. My father suffered panic and anxiety issues and my mother is completely imbalanced. I found that chemically there has been sufficient damage to both blood lines to cause systemic genetic damage that I could not overcome by will power or therapy alone. I loved therapy and unlocked so much - but it never removed the physical 'cascade' of panic attacks, vertigo, or IBS that just seemed to be chemically triggered for no reason.

I have peace now.

[PsyogiBottoms]

Yes - I tried Psychotherapy first actually as I have a huge aversion to using or living medication. I tried for years to avoid it: Buddhism, Self-hypnosis, Every Self-Help book under the sun and 4 years of therapy.

However - my physical symptoms continued and I have always been plagued (as has my family) with these strange and mysterious aliments - I know most are related to stress diseases and disorders - trust me I've done 3 PHD's worth of research.

But for some - there is a physical issue.

[BreakingTheBanality]

@PsyogiBottoms sorry i didnt read the part about u have IBS, yes drug use could be very good for those who cant be helped by theraphy but drugs definitley should not be the first trial to fix ur past, but congraduations

[BreakingTheBanality]

@PsyogiBottoms sure if fixing your childhood is ur main task and the way you decide to do it is with drug use, then yes there is positives to that, u will no longer be haunted by your past, but say u had 20 years of torment throught peers parents schools, the lessons u could have gained and the insight from confronting ur past through theraphy is forever lost, making u half a man you could have been.

[PsyogiBottoms]

Speaking as someone that has had 5 years of psychotherapy - Effexor almost immediately removed years of: IBS, nausea, panic attacks, rumination, insomnia, within a couple of weeks of starting it.

I had life threatening IBS - horribly bad, since I was 11 years of age. Now I have nothing at all. No even a cramp. It has been amazing and has allowed me to feel human for the first time in my life.

5 years of therapy helped - but could not match by far the success I've had with only 75 mg of XR.

[PsyogiBottoms]

I would have to say, as someone that suffers an actual chemical depression - medication is necessary. I have had both treatments, however, without the low dose of Effexor XR I take, my chemical balance, becomes severely imbalanced.

Possibly, early childhood trauma that damages sensitive neurotransmitter cells might cause permanent damage that requires medication to correct for life.

I have experience a complete change in physiology after starting Effexor- removing countless symptoms altogether.

[Deathinmusic]

Another fascinating discussion. You rock, Stef.