I know this answer comes late, but I just noticed this post here.

Yes, chemical imbalances can occur at any age; however, there is no definite science to any of this and that is what makes it most difficult!

Children under 2 years of age are possibly just beginning to talk or to be able to express themselves. They cannot really understand what they are thinking or feeling and most doctors who witness or observe unhealthy behaviors in this age group will concede to say, “they will just grow out of it”. I can understand why they would wait and say this about the younger group because how can you diagnose a 2 year old? However, they even do this with older children (mainly because they view the “abnormal” behaviors as manipulation) and it’s a shame because this can allow major fear to replace many years of happy childhhood.

It’s a tough call. And like I said, since there is no exact science to it all, it’s mostly subjective.

I wish I could solve the mysteries that surround chemical imbalances. Then I would invite all my friends and we’d go to an island and drink out of glasses with tiny umbrellas in them. Not only because I’d be RICH doctor, but because we’d be celebrating freedom from mental/emotional anguish!

Doc KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://www.GLCzone.com

My question to Doc KC on her site was this though and I’m paraphrasing

Have the above illness’s been observed in children under about 2 years of age? If not, why not? If it’s a chemical imbalance then surely it can occur at any age unless that is, it’s initially caused by thinking patterns.

Some people are so completely ill that they are unable to even be reasoned with. I recently got attacked by a reader on my blog for suggesting that people that are depressed go out and volunteer.

Now I think the majority of people understand that if you are clinically depressed under suicide watch at Fairfax that you are not in any state to volunteer. However, volunteering was more of a long term approach to their condition than a “cure for it”.

I like the spirit of this blog and sincerely wish that we could cure all disease with attitude, but attitude like any other treatment has it’s limitations. And in some cases simply will just not be enough.

Sorry if it looked like I was ignoring you.

I have checked out your site and I’ll be back to contribute and I agree that as long as we help to change the thinking, who cares whether the chicken or the egg came first!

@ Benny – Thanks, and to be fair it really is all shades of gray. It doesn’t hurt to play Devils Advocate from time to time though ;-)

Attitude is so huge!!!! I have learned that the hard way, but glad I have learned it!

Tim, thank you so much for giving us so much to think about. I really apprecite what you are doing around here. I love your definition of success. It goes right along with what I have been blogging so much about. I think you would enjoy this post: http://principlesforpeace.com/?p=63
I’m going to check out your free ebook.

In regards to your last paragraph I think you will REALLY enjoy this info if you have not read it yet.
http://principlesforpeace.com/?p=37
Really, I think that it’s not so important where the imbalance came from as long as we can change it with out thinking, but I am of the belief that the majority of imbalances do first arise in our thinking. I am involved in a program in which we teach students how to change their thinking and the very vast majority of students never need antidepressants again (although we never tell them to go off of them. They make the decision.)