Many believe that a chemical imbalance is the underlying cause of ailments like depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. A chemical imbalance caused by aging may cause feelings of depression. Antidepressants do not begin to alleviate symptoms immediately. Treating a chemical imbalance often requires a combination of several different approaches. A chemical imbalance may cause hair loss in some individuals. Daily exercise stimulates the pituitary gland to produce endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. A chemical imbalance may lead to depression, which can be passed down from parent to child. A chemical imbalance may cause loss of appetite. A chemical imbalance is believed to cause anxiety disorders.