The body is made up of a delicate system of organs, fluids, electrolytes, and balanced chemicals, so knowing what to do when you have a chemical imbalance is critical not only for normal daily functions, but also for long-term health. Chemical imbalances can be the cause of some disorders such as insomnia, compulsive sexual behavior, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, Parkinson's disease, depression, bipolar disorder and others; so knowing how to treat this imbalance will help you regulate normal behavior.
Steps
Step 1. Treat chemical imbalances by getting prescription medications
- Although the treatment of chemical imbalances with synthetic drugs has proved effective only in 50-60% of cases, it is still considered a legitimate therapeutic path and is the norm in the social community and in the medical environment for those who have a chemical imbalance.
- Note, however, that these prescription drugs can have side effects and only regulate the current chemical imbalance. However, they don't work on the behavioral or cognitive cause behind the problem.
Step 2. Consider natural alternatives to chemical imbalances such as depression or anxiety
- You can get some relief from natural supplements such as SAM-e, 5-HTP or St. John's Wort, as they affect the brain's neurotransmitters. Those who took natural reuptake inhibitors showed clinical benefits.
- Other natural alternatives include botanical sedatives such as Passionflower, Valerian root, Ashwagandha root and Kava Kava. Thanks to their rapid relaxation of the central nervous system, they are able to reduce stress levels and anxiety.
Step 3. Address the underlying cognitive behavior that is causing the imbalance
- This way of dealing with the problem is based on the theory that the chemical imbalance is due to thoughts and behaviors.
- One type of treatment in this school of thought, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on the thought patterns you face when you are stressed or experiencing depressing situations.
- CBT can be the tool to help create new thinking patterns that can be applied to stressful situations. This helps you trigger better behavioral responses to stress, which in turn aids in the chemical emissions of the brain.
- The basic theory of CBT is that by targeting the cause of the chemical imbalance, the brain begins to respond differently to triggers. This reversal of the circuit of your patterns, however, can take a long time to correct, just as it took months and years to develop your current condition.
- Identifying the triggers is the first step in helping you deal with the problem. If you can identify what triggers the imbalance even once, you can develop and apply the right thinking and behaviors to manage the chemical fluctuation.
