Mental Illnesses

Mental Illnesses Are Physical Illnesses
By Gerald Vogt,
PhD. in Pharmacology and Researcher at Emory University

Mental illnesses really are physically based and not weaknesses of character. The brain has 50 billion cells; 10 billion of them are neurons—the biological wires through which electricity passes. Synapses are where the neurons connect by chemical reactions. Brain injuries mimic mental illness. Injury to the frontal lobe can cause lack of morality; injury to the left temporal lobe can cause schizophrenic behavior.

Seratonin is used all over the brain. Dopamine is concentrated in the limbic area—deep in the middle of the brain that can react instantly to danger. PET scans show where there is blood flow to parts of the brain, either hyper (excessive) or hypo (below normal) activity or function. Scans showed this:

  • Major depression has hypofunction of the left frontal lobe.
  • Bipolar disorder has hyperactivity in both temporal lobes.
  • OCD has hyperactivity in the occipital and frontal lobe and over stimulation of the basal ganglia.
  • Schizophrenia has hypofunction in the frontal lobe.

Abnormalities occur in the cortex too. Dr. F. Benes at Harvard believes that during the second trimester of pregnancy, there is a lack of orderly migration to the outer layers of the cortex, resulting in schizophrenia.

Glial cells, which surround the neurons, support neural life by removing glutamate and recycling nutrients. Glutamate excites signals; GABA puts the brakes on things. Postmortem studies done on major depression and bipolar brains showed 40 to 90% of cortical glial cells are missing.

Ventricles are the empty spaces in the middle of the brain filled with spinal fluid. The larger these spaces are, the more severe the illness. Enlarged ventricles are seen on CT scans and MRIs in about half of those with schizophrenia. This is also seen in individuals with bipolar depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

All mental illnesses have genetic factors. Bipolar depression is the most genetically influenced. Environmental factors, such as viruses, bacteria, or stress hormones passing through the amniotic fluid during pregnancy are possible influences.


Schizophrenia

Description:
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world population. The onset of psychosis usually occurs at ages 17-27 in males and ages 20-37 in females. Most cases have partial, some full remission with medication. A few have a spontaneous recovery. Central to the diagnosis of schizophrenia is having delusions and/or hallucinations.

NOTE: If low dose treatment can be started soon after several symptoms are noted, there is a 80-85% recovery rate.

Negative Symptoms (loss or decrease of normal functions):
Social withdrawal Sudden failure in school Blank expressionless face Avoidance of eye contact Lack of personal hygiene Lack of energy or initiative Speech brief and lack of content Inappropriate clothing for weather Lack of pleasure or interest in life Night wanderings

Positive Symptoms ( psychosis):
Hallucinations: Hear, see, and/or feel things that are not there. Voices may comment on their behavior or give them commands. May “hear” ambulance or police sirens. May “see” friends, strangers, or monsters.
Delusions: Thoughts or beliefs with no basis in reality. May think someone is trying to poison you, people are talking about you, someone is controlling your thoughts, or paranoia--thinking people are out to get you.

Causes
The brains of those with schizophrenia are structurally different, caused by both genetic and environmental factors during development.

Treatment
Medication: Antipsychotics such as Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon
Psychosocial rehabilitation
Hospitalization

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Major Depression

Description:
Major Depression involves disturbances in mood, activity, appetite, energy, and interest. Studies show over 19 million Americans are affected each year. It is the leading cause of disability in developed countries

Symptoms:
Fatigue Irritability Disturbances in sleep Low self-esteem Sadness or crying for no reason Chronic physical complaints Negative thinking Inability to concentrate Feeling worthless or guilty

Causes:
Studies of the brain reveal differences in chemical levels, as well as genetic factors, influence the development of major depression. A trigger can be the loss of a job, loss of loved one, physical illness, chronic stress or financial and relationship problems.

Treatment
Medication: Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Remeron, Lexapro, Elavil
Dynamic psychotherapy

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Bipolar Disorder

Description:
Bipolar Disorder or manic depression is characterized by cycling of moods, from extreme highs in the manic phase to extreme lows in its depressive stage. A recent survey by NARSAD shows an incidence as high as 3.5% of Americans suffer from this disorder.

Symptoms
Inflated self-concept Shopping sprees Little need for sleep Increased sex drive Anger and rage Pressured speech Memory distortion Profound sadness Suicidal thoughts

Causes
This disorder may be a chemical imbalance deep in the brain. It has the highest genetic incidence of all the mental illnesses.

Treatment
Medications: Mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Tegretol, Depakote, Topamax. Antipsychotics such as Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa
Psychosocial therapies

For more information about these disorders, visit www.nami.org/helpline.htm.

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Anxiety/Panic Disorder

Description:
Anxiety disorder with panic attacks occur unexpectedly and repeatedly with feelings of intense fear and physical symptoms in response to non-threatening situations. Over two million adults suffer from this disorder in a given year.

Symptoms:
Paralyzing fear
Rapid heartbeat
Heavy sweating
Feeling hot or cold
Disorientation
Faintness
Smothering sensations
Feeling of dying

Treatment
Medication: antidepressants
Cognitive behavioral therapy

For more information on these disorders,
Visit NAMI’s website at www.nami.org/helpline.htm

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Description:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive and bothersome thoughts and/or compulsive ritualistic behavior that can occupy many hours of each day. It is OCD when obsessions and compulsions interfere with a person’s daily life.

Common Obsessions (thoughts)
Fear of dirt or contamination
Fear of causing harm to self or others
Fear of making a mistake
Need for symmetry or exactness
Sexual or religious abhorrence

Common Compulsions (urges)
Constant cleaning/ washing hands
Repeated checking, ordering andrecounting
Hoarding useless material

Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Exposure & Response Therapy
Medication: Antidepressants such as Paxil, Celexa, Luvox, Effexor

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