Which comes first? My belief is that a genetic imbalance comes first. This is something that is beyond our control, genetic, that with which we were born, and medical science has proven it to be true. That’s why medications change people’s lives.

Again, I’m not advocating for or against medications or the medical model. I’m just throwing it out there as a realistic part of life. Attitude and the rest come second when A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE is to blame for issues. Luck is just that. Yes, we can argue that we make our own luck, but sometimes, I question that too.

If one has ever suffered with true clinical depression or had a true panic attack, among other symptoms of true disorders he/she might think differently. Thank goodness for the medical model and therapists who understand it to help people with true imbalances and thank goodness for those who help people who are stuck in their lives and just need a little (or lot) of adjusting.

Thank you so much for your comment.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

To these things I would add that our attitude affects how we allow the extrinsic factors and “luck” to affect our lives. That’s the beauty of attitude. Before I recognized this I was a miserable wreck, just ALLOWING everything to affect who I was and my future.

Which come first - the thinking or the imbalance? I think it’s different for different people, but I think the majority of times the thinking comes first. Many doctors and our society have is all turned around.
I’ll post this helpful link once again for those who may not have yet read it. http://principlesforpeace.com/?p=37

I appreciate the reference made to my article, but please keep in mind that I feel there are MANY factors that lead to making change in our lives. I bring up all sides of coin, so to speak, and do not lean one way or another.

I do recognize that there are many different factors that are involved in making changes in our lives and do not just look at the situation at black and white. i.e. Change your attitude, change you life. I try to bring out all possibilities, medical conditions, and personalities.

I don’t know how anyone can debate the tons and tons of medical journals that are out there that speak towards chemical imbalances. I’m NOT saying that everyone has one, however.

Don’t get me wrong, for those with healthy brain functioning, changing attitude CAN BE EVERYTING in changing your life, but SOMETIMES, other factors get in the way.

Thank you for allowing me to express this point.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

I read you to believe that I was talking about attitude as it is associated only with success, but I was not limiting it to only that. You and I have one (of many) similar ways of helping people. I too, am a life coach. I work with changing attitudes, thought patterns, self talk, etc., to help people reach their goals. The debate about the idea whether or not intrinsic and extrinsic factors that get in the way of fulfilling goals can be debated endlessly.

That is why one therapist may be for one person and not right for another. I think it’s a beautiful thing to have these great choices of different kinds of doctors, therapists, and/or life coaches.

I have added another article which I think may be of interest to you. It is entitled:

Attitude, Success, and the Things that Hold us Back

My next article will discuss your question about chemical imbalances in young children. Please come back for that information.

Thank you so much for writing and I hope you will keep reading and posting.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

I thought that was the subject of debate. I may be way out of line on this and I am a layperson with that very dangerous thing, a little knowledge, so I’d welcome being told I’m wrong.

And of course I’ll carry on reading it’s a cool blog

I am answering both your comments. This is for the first comment you left.

I can appreciate and respect your thinking and being “all over the place” as you said, about true brain chemical imbalances. Yes, the mind and body are indeed very intrinsically linked as I have written about in my article,

Where Is The Grass Greener?

and it most certainly IS difficult to determine which comes first. The mind creating the disturbance, or the chemicals in the brain creating the physical symptoms which disturb us.

I have to say that everyone does have their own opinion on this topic and it can often times be a very touchy subject.

I have responded to you more fully in my article entitled:

Are there such things as true brain chemical imbalances?

Thanks for your comment and please keep reading and posting.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

Thank you for sharing those statistics from the AMA and the BMA. If they are talking about physical diseases, I would have believed them without even seeing them in print. Mental attitude has so much to do with healing, and stress levels have been proven to lead to physical ailments.

When dealing with the “myth of control” I advise people not try to think that one can control or should be in control over everything they do or face in life. This can turn into a problem within itself when extrinsic factors get in the way, i.e, other people or environmental factors. No one can have total control over all situations and when they think they can, and find out they don’t, this can cause major turmoil. You do seem to understand this idea and live your life accordingly. Kudos to you!

Thank you for your comment and please keep reading and posting.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

I agree with you whole heartedly about attitude and its effect on everything one does in his/her life.

My only deviation from this point is when it comes to those who suffer with true brain chemical imbalances. Please see my article entitled: Are there such things as true brain chemical imbalances?

Yes, as I’ve said many times before attitude can help with coping skills to deal with symptoms and the willingness to try medications to help, but one’s attitude alone cannot make the disorder disappear.

Believe me when I take the liberty to say that those out there suffering with any type of mental/emotional disorder, wishes attitude adjustment could take away their disorder(s).

Thanks for your comment and please keep reading and posting.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com

Thank you so much for your comment! I love to hear when I inspire anyone! 
Please keep reading and posting.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com