A Paradigm Shift!....

We all have things to learn.  And listening to other people sometimes opens our minds to new ways of viewing the world.  I am always interested in learning.  Not being a scientist, or a doctor, I rarely talk about 'causes' in regards to mental illness.  I don't believe I have enough knowledge to do that.  I do believe that much mental illness is biochemical and genetic.  I have shared that.  However, a few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a Chiropractor who opened my mind to the possibility that perhaps many mental illnesses could be treated with adjustments and supplements.  It was a mind-blowing possibility for me.  As someone who grew up with what I believe was evidence of biochemical and genetic mental illness, I was fascinated with the thought.  The gentleman who I spoke to startled me when he told me that he doesn’t believe in biochemical causes to mental illness.  He said that not only could adjustments solve most mental health problems, but supplements and exercise could cure the rest.  Hmmmm, I said….even schizophrenia?  How about other types of psychosis?  He said sure.  And then he said “What’s more…I think most mental illness has more of an environmental component”.  I asked, do you mean, that it is created within the family?  He said yes.  I was a little stunned.  (And I could come up with my own personal exception to this.  My mentally ill Grandmother did not raise my mentally ill Mother.  From the age of 2 years old till she was 18 years old, my Mom had no contact with her Mom.)   His ideas are not conventional thought in terms of mental illness. Or really, in terms of mental illness treatment.  I don't think.  And while I was fascinated, I thought that his belief that mental illness is never biochemical was ridiculous. This made the rest of his ideas suspect to me.

So, I went to talk to a Chiropractor whom I know and trust.  Dr. Howard Sabell is an intelligent and successful Chiropractor in Central Florida.  I trust him.  So, I sat down for a chat with him about what I had heard.  Dr. Sabell didn’t discount the utility of Chiropractic and supplements to treat certain types of mental illness.  As he said, “If only I could have given Hitler an adjustment”.   He discussed how the nervous system and the brain really are connected.   And when there is pressure on nerves, there are consequences.  And much of the time, the disease or disorder that results is known, but the pressure on the nerve is not.  Dr. Sabell talks about different causes for mental illness. He recognizes emotional, physical, biochemical, and even traumatic causes.  I think that he is very balanced in his approach.  And he recognizes the utility of different treatment for different cases.  

The thought that medication is not the only approach is a paradigm shift for me.  A paradigm shift is a new way of viewing the world.  Kind of like taking off the dark glasses that are preventing you from seeing the color of the leaves.  A new view.  Maybe it is possible.  Different types of treatment for different people and different causes.   I am certainly open to that.  What do you think?   I am willing to look at every possibility.  Any chance to heal is a chance for a family such as I grew up with to have a different future.  And that is worth opening your mind to.