The human nervous system is a complicated and delicate system of communication, with the brain at the helm of control. The brain itself depends on chemicals known as neurotransmitters to function properly. In brain chemistry, when there is too much or too little of one or more chemicals on a prolonged basis, this can affect a person’s mental health.

Which Chemicals are Involved with Brain Chemistry and Mental Health?

Happiness, sadness, excitement, euphoria, and even fear are emotions that are triggered and maintained by chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the brain’s way of communicating with the body’s nerve cells. When there isn’t enough or there is too much of one kind of neurotransmitter present, it can lead to what are called ‘bad nerves’.

The chief neurotransmitters produced by the brain are:

Dopamine

• Dopamine is the chemical in the brain that is associated with the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. High amounts of dopamine lead to feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Serotonin

• Serotonin is the chemical associated with rest and sleep. However, it’s also associated with your moods, sexual arousal and even hunger.

Glutamate

• Glutamate is associated with learning, memory and feelings of excitement.

Norepinephrine

• Norepinephrine acts as both a neurotransmitter as well as a hormone. Norepinephrine is a stress-responsive chemical that creates the “fight or flight” response when we are feeling stressed out. Low levels of it can cause ADHD and depression.

How are Chemical Imbalances in the Brain Corrected?

Antidepressant medications help millions of Americans fight depression by correcting the chemical imbalances in their brains to some degree. However, these medications don’t work for some people, and they don’t for many of our patients either. Sometimes the chemical imbalance might not be severe enough to necessitate prescription medication.

That’s why we might suggest other ways of correcting this chemical imbalance. Exercise can have a profound effect on dopamine levels in the brain when they are performed on a regular basis. The pleasure and reward centers of the brain are stimulated from strenuous exercise, and the effects can be amazing for mental health.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to expedite the brain’s use of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. When levels of these two chemicals are increased, feelings of depression and fatigue begin to lessen.

Let us help you find the right solutions for preserving your mental health. At Southside Medical Center we offer individual and group therapy, family and couples counseling, psychiatric assessment, and medication management among other things. We are conveniently located in Atlanta, GA. Contact us today to schedule your appointment! Our staff is here to help.

 

When you have an addiction to alcohol or drugs along with a mental health problem, you have a co-occurring condition that makes rehabilitation slightly more difficult. However, there are numerous individuals with mental illnesses and addictions who are able to go through the detoxification and rehabilitation process safely. You must find a treatment facility that understands how to cope with your particular addiction and mental condition so that you can have a great outcome. If you know that you need medications for a mental problem, then you should inform the psychiatrist who is creating your treatment plan. Here are some of the mental conditions that are commonly found in addicts:

• Chronic anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Panic attacks
• Anger issues
• Attention deficit
• Eating disorders
• Dementia
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Social anxiety

You may have more than one type of mental illness that is affecting your addictive behaviors. In addition, you might not receive treatment for your addiction because you are using drugs or alcohol to cope with your feelings.

Fortunately, the experts working for detoxification and rehabilitation facilities understand how to treat your mental health issue while also helping you to overcome your addiction. Your customized treatment plan will include taking prescribed medications for a mental disorder while also receiving therapy for your problem. At the same time, you are also responsible for attending private and group counseling sessions to learn new behaviors to help you stop drinking alcohol or using drugs.

It is possible that your treatment in rehabilitation will last longer because you have more problems to address with therapy, medications, and 12-step meetings. Seeking treatment for all of your issues is vital because an addiction can make a mental health condition worse while a mental health problem can lead to an addiction. It is essential to find a substance abuse and mental health facility that can provide treatment for all of your problems, and there are many rehabilitation facilities that don’t understand how to care for a client with a mental health issue.

Importance of Long-term Treatment

You will need integrated treatment for all of your issues at one time along with having support from several medical professionals who can work together to help you with your problems. A psychiatrist will create a unique medication plan for your mental health disorder that won’t conflict with overcoming your addiction to drugs and alcohol. Speak with the professionals at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta to learn more about your options. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!