Do we know what causes mental illnesses or how to treat them, Biology

Assignment Help:

Do we know what causes mental illnesses, or how best to treat them?

Mental illnesses take various forms: debilitating sadness in depression; uncontrollable repetitive actions in obsessive-compulsive disorder; disordered thinking in schizophrenia; or manic highs and deep lows in bipolar disorder. Despite their wide variance in symptoms and still largely unknown causes, all of these conditions have one thing in common: a disruption in brain circuitry. In depression, for instance, scientists have traced aberrant brain pathways using brain-imaging scans, and have found imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin or norepinephrine. Similar kinds of neural dysfunction are believed to underlie many mental disorders.

What makes any one person susceptible to mental illness is still an open question. Genetic and environ mental influences - "nature" and "nurture" - interact in complex ways in each of us. It is possible that many genes are involved, each conferring a degree of risk and environmental triggers may set the disease process in motion in genetically susceptible individuals.

Despite gaps in knowledge, effective treatments are available for most mental illnesses. Seeking help from a qualified medical professional - preferably one who specializes in particular illness in question - is critical to getting the best care. When administered by experienced professionals, psycho logical therapies and medications can alleviate debilitating symptoms in numerous cases and make it possible for people to cope with their condition and regain a level of "normal" functioning.

 


Related Discussions:- Do we know what causes mental illnesses or how to treat them

Anaphase, Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  wit...

Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  with  a sudden  separation  of the two chromatids of each   due  to splitting   of its centromere and  then a slow mov

How do the sodium and potassium ions maintain the neuron, How do the sodium...

How do the sodium and potassium ions maintain the resting potential of the neuron? The plasma membrane of the neuron when at rest maintains an electric potential difference amo

Difference between carriers of hiv and aids patients, Q. What is the differ...

Q. What is the difference between carriers of HIV and AIDS patients? A person be able to be a carrier of the HIV without necessarily being affected by the immunodeficiency synd

Features of gateway vector, Could any of the following features be useful i...

Could any of the following features be useful in a gateway vector; (i) Origin of replication (ii) multiple cloning site (iii) blue/white selection (iv) M13 forward and rev

Disorders of thyroid function, Disorders of Thyroid Function: The diso...

Disorders of Thyroid Function: The disorders of thyroid function may  lead to following problems:  Juvenile Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is one of the most common end

Differences between ecosystems, Some ecosystems possess relatively large nu...

Some ecosystems possess relatively large number of species as compared to others. This is particularly true of tropical forests which exhibit a very rich-biodiversity. For example,

Animal tissue, Animal Tissue A tissue is a group of cells that are si...

Animal Tissue A tissue is a group of cells that are similar in structure, origin and function. Tissue word coined by Bichat (Father of Histology). Histology term

Define the magnesium requirements in body, Define the Magnesium Requirement...

Define the Magnesium Requirements in body? Let us learn about the magnesium requirements. Since plant foods are particularly high in magnesium, on a vegetarian diet with plenty

Determine the transplantation of mitochondria, Based on your reading of the...

Based on your reading of the article "Hello Mothers, Hello Father" which of the following is a correct statement regarding the transplantation of mitochondria? A. The sperm cel

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd