The Chemical Imbalance Theory Is False

Last updated March 27, 2021

Is Anxiety Caused By A Biological Or Chemical Imbalance In the Brain?

Complete Question

My doctor said that anxiety disorder and depressive disorders are caused by a biological problem or chemical imbalance problem in the brain? He also said that this biological or chemical imbalance problem is genetically caused. Is this true?

Answer:

No, this is not true.

Anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are NOT caused by a biological problem with the brain, a chemical imbalance in the brain, or by a genetic predisposition.

While many in the medical, mental health, and science communities believed these theories were true a few years ago, these notions never were proven, only surmized.

However, these theories were put to rest a few years ago..

For more detailed information about this, see our "Chemical Imbalance Disproven" article.

If a doctor or mental health professional tells you your anxiety or depression is caused by a biological problem with the brain, a chemical imbalance in the brain, or by a genetic predisposition, we recommend seeing a different doctor. An outdated approach like this will not be helpful to your recovery.

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Common Anxiety Symptoms

The combination of good self-help information and working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist, coach, or counselor is the most effective way to address anxiety and its many symptoms. Until the core causes of anxiety are addressed – which we call the underlying factors of anxiety – a struggle with anxiety unwellness can return again and again. Dealing with the underlying factors of anxiety is the best way to address problematic anxiety.

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