Neurobiology Of Mental Disorders Summary Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is mental health?
A state of wellbeing where someone can function in society, cope with daily stressors, interact with others without major emotional distress or disordered behaviour
Mental health is not just the absence of illness (Source: Donaldson & Donaldson, 2003)
List common mental disorders.
- Schizophrenia
- Major Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- OCD
- Personality Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders (e.g., dementia)
- Substance Use Disorders
- Self-Harm & Suicide
What do symptoms of mental illness affect?
- Perceptions
- Thoughts
- Mood
- Behaviour
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised Speech/Thinking
- Disorganised Behaviour
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Flat affect
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of motivation
- Poor functioning
How long must symptoms of schizophrenia persist for diagnosis?
At least 6 months.
What are the core symptoms of depression?
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Appetite and weight changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
What defines Bipolar I disorder?
At least one manic episode and/or depression.
What are the symptoms of mania?
- Elevated or irritable mood
- Grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increased talkativeness
- Racing thoughts
- Increased goal-directed activity
- Risky or impulsive behaviours
What are the categories of substance-related disorders?
- Substance Use Disorders
- Substance-Induced Disorders
What is the general definition of mental illness?
A disorder of thought, mood, or behaviour that causes distress or dysfunction.
What did Freud’s psychosocial theory emphasize?
Conflict between the unconscious and conscious mind.
What is the main idea of the monoamine hypothesis concerning depression?
Depression is caused by low serotonin and noradrenaline.
What is the role of the HPA axis in anxiety disorders?
Involves stress response activation through the release of CRH, ACTH, and Cortisol.
What brain areas are involved in anxiety responses?
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
What treatments are commonly used for anxiety disorders?
- Psychotherapy (CBT, exposure therapy)
- Medications (Benzodiazepines, SSRIs)
What factors contribute to the biological basis of depression?
- Monoamine depletion
- High cortisol levels
- Immune system dysregulation
- Neuroplasticity and brain changes
What are the two pathways involved in the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?
- Mesolimbic Pathway
- Mesocortical Pathway
What evidence supports the biological basis of schizophrenia?
- Enlarged ventricles
- Reduced grey matter
- Reduced frontal cortex activity
What percentage of concordance is observed in monozygotic twins for schizophrenia?
35–50%.
Fill in the blank: The HPA axis stands for _______.
[Hypothalamus → Pituitary → Adrenal → Cortisol]
True or False: Schizophrenia is solely caused by environmental factors.
False.
What are the key components of the biological models of mental illness?
- Genetics
- Neurotransmitters
- Immune responses
- Brain structure
