The short answer is yes. Our brain chemistry does affect almost everything about our mood disorders.
For instance, doctors use antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, and beta blockers to treat social phobia, and one of the things those medicines can do is increase your levels of seratonin.
This is from the Mayo Clinic:
"Researchers are exploring the idea that natural chemicals in your body may play a role in social anxiety disorder. For instance, an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin could be a factor. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate mood and emotions, among other things. People with social anxiety disorder may be extra-sensitive to the effects of serotonin."
If you want more information from the Mayo, go here:
This is one reason why exercise is so important for those of us with mood or anxiety disorders. Exercise is a natural way to release these chemicals and give us a sense of well-being. Do you exercise, Anon? If so, do you find that you feel better afterward?
Here's a great page on social anxiety, with lots of information and support. Also, if you scroll down to "What Sort of Treatments Are Available For Social Anxiety?" you'll get another explanation of how brain chemistry is affected:
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Hi, Anon,
The short answer is yes. Our brain chemistry does affect almost everything about our mood disorders.
For instance, doctors use antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, and beta blockers to treat social phobia, and one of the things those medicines can do is increase your levels of seratonin.
This is from the Mayo Clinic:
"Researchers are exploring the idea that natural chemicals in your body may play a role in social anxiety disorder. For instance, an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin could be a factor. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate mood and emotions, among other things. People with social anxiety disorder may be extra-sensitive to the effects of serotonin."
If you want more information from the Mayo, go here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/social-anxiety-disorder/ds00595/dsection=causes
This is one reason why exercise is so important for those of us with mood or anxiety disorders. Exercise is a natural way to release these chemicals and give us a sense of well-being. Do you exercise, Anon? If so, do you find that you feel better afterward?
Here's a great page on social anxiety, with lots of information and support. Also, if you scroll down to "What Sort of Treatments Are Available For Social Anxiety?" you'll get another explanation of how brain chemistry is affected:
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/disorder/#treatments
Are you in any therapy or treatment for your social phobia?
May 5, 2010 - 8:38amThis Comment
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