CCHR Says New Book Unravels the Myth of a Chemical Imbalance Causing Depression

Described as authoritative and well-researched, a new book by Professor Joanna Moncrieff, Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth,[1] has reinforced calls from the mental health industry watchdog Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) International calls for patients to be fully informed that a chemical imbalance in their brain is not the source of their emotional issues before choosing treatment.

Moncrieff, a professor of psychiatry at University College London, earlier led a systematic review of meta-studies examining the relationship between the chemical serotonin and depression. Alongside a team of five leading UK and European specialists, she concluded from all relevant published studies that “there is no evidence of a connection between reduced serotonin levels of activity and depression.” Published in Molecular Psychiatry in 2022, the study was read by over one million people, “attracted international coverage,” and sent “shockwaves through academic psychiatry.”[2]

The study is now one of the most widely read and influential scientific papers of modern times. Altmetric, an online influence tracker, ranks it in the top five percent of all papers.[3]

In discussing her new book, Prof. Moncrieff wrote, “The fact is the theory that depression is caused by low serotonin is not supported by reliable evidence.” She further explains, “Indeed, all mental health problems – as they’re now referred to – are overwhelmingly seen as medical conditions arising from a chemical imbalance, or something similar, which needs correcting with drugs just like other diseases.”[4]

“My view on depression is that it’s a complex emotional state usually arising from life difficulties, rather than a biologically determined condition,” Prof. Moncrieff adds. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring people are “properly informed about what they take,” noting that this was her aim when publishing the comprehensive 2022 overview of research into depression and serotonin.[5]

According to Psychology Today’s review on Chemically Imbalanced, “Moncrieff shows how the framing of depression and its treatment evolved from a ‘drug-centered’ to a ‘disease-centered’ model, with significant implications for how we think about the condition, even before we set about treating it.”[6] The book contends that “the process of medicalization only makes things worse,” giving people “false hope.”

“We have to find better ways to help people,” Prof. Moncrieff stated. She suggests that better approaches to treatment would be “first and foremost about helping people to address the problems in their lives.”

CCHR says that the chemical imbalance information must translate into stronger informed consent procedures within the mental health system. CCHR, which was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Professor of psychiatry, Thomas Szasz, has been raising awareness about the lack of scientific evidence supporting the chemical imbalance theory of mental disorders. It has provided a detailed timeline of this issue on its website and has consistently fought for greater informed consent rights for patients.

CCHR calls for doctors to ensure that mental health patients are disabused of the idea that a chemical imbalance is what ails them as the first step in this informed consent process.

Sources:

[1] “‘Chemically Imbalanced’: A Book Review, A new history of antidepressants challenges the evidence supporting their use,” Psychology Today, 16 Jan 2025, www.psychologytoday.com/u s/blog/side-effects/202501/chemically-imbalanced-a-book-review

[2] “‘Chemically Imbalanced’: A Book Review…” Psychology Today, 16 Jan 2025

[3] “Medicating misery by doling out antidepressants is based on a myth: NHS psychiatrist PROFESSOR JOANNA MONCRIEFF reveals the shameful truth about Big Pharma,” Daily Mail, 13 Jan. 2025, www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14279653/Medicating-misery-antidepressants-myth-NHS-psychiatrist-PROFESSOR-JOANNA-MONCRIEFF.html

[4] “Medicating misery by doling out antidepressants is based on a myth…,” Daily Mail, 13 Jan. 2025

[5] “Medicating misery by doling out antidepressants is based on a myth…,” Daily Mail, 13 Jan. 2025

[6] “‘Chemically Imbalanced’: A Book Review…” Psychology Today, 16 Jan 2025

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