...CA critical review of ‘An exploration of the serotonin system in antisocial boys with high levels of callous-unemotional traits’ by C. Moul, C. Dobson-Stone, J. Brennan, D. Howes and M. Dadds (2013) Introduction: Aggressiveness is a complicated study due to the fact that it does not act as an integral trait, and increased interest towards the matter of anti-social behaviour is partly explained by the apparent escalation of aggression in contemporary society (Popova, 2006). The human expression of anger is due to a combination of endocrine, neural and behavioural mechanisms and as such, a central question of human history. Children with aggressive behaviour form a heterogeneous population in relation to certain subtypes of aggressive antisocial behaviour. Callous-unemotional traits (e.g. absence of emotions and blame) are well-studied and temperamentally tied in with acute and persistent antisocial expression in children, which holds the risk for progressing psychopathy later in life (Frick & Viding, 2009) Serotonin levels are thought to contribute to childhood aggressive and antisocial behaviour, which can lead to expression later in adulthood (Raine, 2002). Thus, genetic factors are an inseparable part of the nature of antisocial behaviour, as demonstrated by twin research that has shown that heritability is likely to determine various forms of aggression and personality factors, such as impulsivity and callous-unemotional traits (Moffitt, 2005). Despite the fact...
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...With the ever-growing dissatisfaction and preoccupation with one’s weight, why is it that only certain individuals develop an eating disorder? Socio-cultural influences have traditionally been thought of as the leading cause of disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. However, this explanation alone doesn’t seem sufficient. We are all exposed to the same “thin is in” messaging and to live in a westernized society more or less means residing in a virtually inescapable landscape that pushes thinness as a valuable possession. Yet, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa affect only an estimated 0.3 to 0.7 percent, and 1.7 to 2.5 percent, respectively, of females in the general population (Berrettini, 2004). Through my research, which...
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...Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Janelle Gunnels Psy/340 April 25, 2013 Ioannis Papazafiropoulos Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Team B presented a presentation explaining the genetics, brain structure, and behavior of individuals suffering Bipolar illness. This paper will evaluate their presentation and explain bipolar illness, explain the neurological damage or changes to the brain as a result of the illness, and also an explanation of the behavioral or functional changes that can occur as a result of the illness. I will touch bases on the following: • A description of the suspected or known causes of the illness • A discussion of current treatments or therapies and future research for the prevention or cure of the illness • The role of genetics on the onset of the illness • The visual appeal of the presentation • The overall organization of the information presented What is Bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness which is also commonly known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder which causes abnormal changes in mood, energy and activity. This disorder interferes with one’s ability to handle everyday task. The symptoms and effects are extreme as this is considered a long term illness. Bipolar Disorder normally appears in an individual...
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...Term Paper: Aggression and the Brain Aggression as a general term refers to the act of inflicting physical or verbal harm with the intentions of causing pain. It is very questionable why people choose to harm each other especially if there is no reason, such as self defense, involved, but research has been evolving on that issue to show how the biology of the brain is related to aggression and how different the neurochemistry of the brain of an aggressive person to a non aggressive one. “Violent behavior never erupts from a single cause, rather it results from a combination of risk factors — among them inherited tendencies, a traumatic childhood and other negative experiences — that interact and aggravate one another” (Strueber). Basically putting together this combination of likely explanations of aggression may let one see the whole picture of why people become so aggressive. The biology of the brain and aggression seek to be explained in two different ways, in terms of androgens which are male hormones and the level of serotonin in the brain. In general it is important to talk about aggression and understand its possible manifestations because aggression is important in human existence therefore being aware of its likely biological causes will help us understand better why there is a high rate of aggression, violence and suicide and make us perceive it from the biological aspect rather than from the cultural or the individual context. First of all, the first linkage...
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...Motivation and the Brain Paper Due: April 29, 2013 Psy/355 Motivation and the Brain Paper Certain nutrients have been found in scientific literature to support the structural and functional health of the brain, and the nessessary componets in protecting against brain related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (Hall, 2011). Several parts of the brain initiates, and maintains motivation that engages in healthy eating. Some researchers say that evolutionary factors come into play. Factors like reinforcements of endorphins and serotonin activity producing the fullness and well-being feelings after eating (Stone, 2011). If one tries denying these reinforcing experiences, this causes difficulty maintaining a stablized diet. According to Psychological musings, factors such as biological, and enviornmental influences help in the implecation of new, and specific behavior like maintaining a healthy diet (Stone, 2011). To maintain continual motivation in healthy eating there are many brain structures that do contribute. Brain structures that maintain the motivation for healthy eating are the limbic system, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and the amygdala. These structures together form new memories, regulate emotions that maintain positive attitudes about considered diet changes (Stone, 2011). The limbic system is linked with reward, and motivation. This system has a very important role in healthy eating. This allows the...
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...Exercise has been touted to do everything from treat depression to improve memory, with the power to cure a host of problems while preventing even more. In particular, exercise leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that alleviate pain, both physical and mental. Additionally, it is one of the few ways scientists have found to generate new neurons. Much of the research done in this area has focused on running, but all types of aerobic exercise provide benefits. Although the exact nature of these benefits is still being determined, enough research has been done to provide even skeptics with a motivation to take up exercise. Exercise exerts its effects on the brain through several mechanisms, including neurogenesis, mood enhancement, and endorphin release. This paper not only examines how these mechanisms improve cognitive functioning and elevate mood states, but also proposes potential directions for future research. Furthermore, it provides an explanation for exercise's generally non-habit forming nature, despite effects on the reward centers of the brain that mimic those of highly addictive drugs like morphine. One of the most exciting changes that exercise causes is neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons. The new neurons are created in the hippocampus, the center of learning and memory in the brain (1), however the exact mechanism behind this neurogenesis is still being explored. At a cellular level, it is possible that the mild stress generated...
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...to know exactly what happens inside our bodies when we take some form of medication. Medicines work in a variety of ways depending on what they are taken for and in what form. Medication has a route and form in which they are taken. Medications can be taken in oral which would be a pill or liquid, sublingual in tablet or drops, topically in cream or ointment, inhalation, drops etc. The type of medication and the route will have an effect on where the drug will enter the body and what areas the drug will focus on. In this paper I will explain how antidepressants work with chemicals in the body and also the good and bad of taking antidepressants. About 20 million people in the United States suffer from some form of depression (Schimelpfening, 2012). Depression occurs in someone when endogenous chemicals in the brain are used by the central nervous system to help communicate signals from one area to another. This imbalance in neurotransmitters, such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine plays a role in clinical depression. Decreased production of these neurotransmitters, a lack of receptor sites able to receive these neurotransmitters, and the inability of these neurotransmitters to reach a receptor site plays in an important factor in depression. The most common and effective drug used for people with depression are Tricyclic antidepressants. This medication works by increasing the release of norepinephrine. According to National Science Digital Library, the action of...
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...Introduction The human body has been designed a mechanism to deal with pain and damage. The human immune system deals with all kinds of injures. The human immune system helps regulate bodily functions. When the body is exposed to a certain amount of pain the body goes into shock. This can be a life threatening situation or it can be the bodies’ response to the life threatening situation allowing a solders to keep fighting and things of that nature. If the damage the body may go into what is called a "comatose" condition. Where all nonessential function shuts down for repairs. This is due to the trauma that was experienced. Many of these actions are automated. This is because God has a system in the body to regulate the body. With that in mind PTSD is put into two different categories. They would be direct exposure and indirect exposure to an event. Direct events would be first hand experiences but the person. A point in time that the person felt significant risk of life and limb. An indirect traumatic event would be if an individual would witness a traumatic event. The mind has the same kind of defense mechanism. This is used to cope with severe mental trauma or mental stress. When a person goes through extremely powerful mental trauma that the mind cannot deal with the pain many things happen. One of those things is PTSD or post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This report will look at this disorder from a biblical point of view using the lives of many people. Dreams The...
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...Research paper on Anxiety Disorder Jeffrey S. Fletcher, M.A. Kathleen B. Stinger Psychopathology and Counseling, Coun 656 4, May 2014 Author Note Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Student, Liberty University. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Jfletcher1@liberty.edu Abstract This research paper is designed to review articles and books of professional journals in anxiety disorders, definition of anxiety disorder, review of current and past treatments of anxiety disorders, the new section and changes to anxiety disorder in the DSM-5, new treatments for anxiety disorders and medications for anxiety disorders. This paper will show spiritual considerations for treating anxiety disorders and how religion can improve one’s condition. It will show how CBT treatment of anxiety disorders have not been very successful and how medication has its limitations in treatment of anxiety disorders. This paper will also show what this clinician has learned and will take forward into the daily practice of treating adolescents with anxiety disorders. Keywords: anxiety, anxiety disorders, DSM-5, treatment Introduction When we talk about anxiety we have to distinguish between healthy anxiety or normal anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is normal to have a certain amount of anxiety for instance when one is in danger it is normal to become anxious. To have an anxiety disorder your anxiety would have to interfere with your life in a negative way. Anxiety...
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...Depression Paper Gabrielle Piperno PSY 270 January 12, 2014 Stephanie Sencil-White Depression Paper Depression is defined as a low, sad state in which life seems dark with overwhelming challenges (Comer, 2012). Mania is considered the opposite of depression as it results in feeling of euphoria and frenzied energy; these two definitions combined are classified as bipolar disorder (Comer, 2012). Unipolar depression is when an individual suffers from depression that lacks bouts of mania (Comer, 2012). Depression, and or symptoms of depression, can affect everyone during one or more stages of life. Some individuals experience times in their lives when they consider themselves to be depressed; in actuality this is most likely a normal mood swing due to a temporary unpleasant circumstance. Upon information and belief, nearly 7 percent of the adult population in the United States suffers from a severe form of unipolar depression, with 5 percent of American’s suffering from mild forms of depression (Comer, 2012). Of the percentage of individuals suffering from unipolar depression, at least 50 percent of those individuals recover anywhere from 6 weeks to one year; in certain case treatment was not required (Comer, 2012). There are many cause that can be attributed to depression and unipolar forms of depression; some of these causes are due to biological factors and environmental factors (Comer, 2012). Neurotransmitters, when defective, may lead to depression. It is believed that...
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...In this paper I will discuss the difference in theories of the psychological and biological explanations of major depression. Psychological explanations refer to the cognitive and behavioral theories of major depression such as negative cognitions, learned helplessness, and hopelessness. While biological explanations refer to genetic and neurochemical factors to explain the development and maintenance of major depression (Davey, 2011). Major depression, also commonly referred to as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder, or unipolar mood disorder, is a clinical mood disorder including one or more episode of serious depression lasting two or more weeks with no manic episodes. Symptoms include fatigue, impaired...
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...Always washing your hands? Or perhaps you are always counting things or checking things. Are these actions taking over your life or constantly occupying your mind? Perhaps you have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It was once thought that OCD was rare; however, recently it has been found that 2-3% of people have OCD. People with OCD are usually diagnosed by between the ages of 20 and 30, and about 75% of those who will develop OCD will show symptoms by age 30.This leads to a couple questions that need to be answered: What is OCD? What causes it, and what is the most effective treatment? These questions will be answered throughout the paper. OCD is an anxiety disorder that is described as someone with obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behavior. People with OCD are caught up in repetitive behavior and thoughts that they cannot stop. Obsession is defined as unwanted, recurrent, and disturbing thoughts that a person cannot stop. These thoughts are unable to be suppressed and can result in severe anxiety. Compulsions are the result of the obsession. These are repetitive, ritualized behaviors that are done to alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsession. The most common obsessions are fear of contamination, fear of causing harm to another, fear of making a mistake, fear of behaving in a socially unacceptable manner, need for symmetry or exactness, and excessive doubt. The most common compulsions are cleaning/washing, checking, arranging/organizing, collecting/hoarding, and...
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...OUTLINE THESIS STATEMENT Abuse of hallucinogens may cause the users physical, emotional, mental or psychological damage. INTRODUCTION Hallucinogens are used in medication and intoxication in some countries specifically in Asia long before. This research will discuss about the causes and effects resulted by the use of hallucinogens. I. Hallucinogens A. Description/Definition of Hallucinogens B. Examples of Hallucinogens II. Reasons For the Use of Hallucinogens A. For Medical Use B. For Other Use III. Effects of Use of Hallucinogens A. Beneficial Effects 1. Physical Effects 2. Mental Effects B. Harmful Effects 1. Physical Effects 2. Mental Effects IV. Laws and Sanctions in Prohibiting the Use of Hallucinogens A. Republic Act No. 7394 B. Republic Act No. 6425 C. Republic Act No. 9165. CONCLUSION Hallucinogens are not all bad. It has good effect to the body and it can be also used in human medication and veterinary setting but should be taken in enough amount/dosage. They usually are in form of crystalline powder in its pure state. INTRODUCTION Drug addiction is common problem to the different parts of the world. In Filipino community, news on the television and radio says about the PDEA (Philippine Drug) or other government agencies that concerns about drug and health executed a drug raid or clearing to a barangay, house or etc. Hallucinogens are used in medication and intoxication in some countries...
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...are no longer normal and find it very hard to adjust to the civilian world due to the imagines stained on their brain from the world. In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about one in ten returning soldiers seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs (Veteran Affairs 2012). As human service provider I witness this co diagnosis of PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and SUD (Substance Abuse Disorder) daily and it has encouraged me to form a opinion. After some deep thought I would like to look into the efficiency of the treatment prescribed to solders suffering from PTSD and which is more effective. In this paper I will be looking Cognitive behavioral therapy offered when trying to treat PTSD and SUD . On the other hand I will like to look into a variety of medication therapy which includes anxiety medication and drugs known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. On an weekly basis I deal with over 100 veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD and in most cases are dual diagnosed with SUD (Substance Use Disorder). While looking over these veterans charts I notice that many have attended Cognitive behavioral therapy,...
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...have decided to write my paper on General Anxiety Disorder because I myself have it, so I am more familiar with it. GAD (general anxiety disorder) is when an individual suffers from a psychological state where they have persisting thoughts of anticipation and fears that are overwhelming their mind and intern it affects the body as well. It is a disorder that is characterized by excessive, exaggerated worry about everyday life with really no reason to worry. There are many types of anxiety disorders which are panic, general anxiety disorder, phobias, and obsessive compulsive (OCD). Every one experiences anxiety at certain times in their lives, it is a normal part of the human emotion. Even though everyone experiences anxiety at one point or another in their lives, the individuals who suffer with an anxiety disorder suffer because the disorder interferes with their daily life. In this paper I will be discussing the history of the illness, the signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, the treatments, and how the diagnosis and treatments compare to the diagnosis and treatments of the past. Anxiety disorders is a term that was developed approximately around the end of the 19th century since that was when the psychiatric practice began to become more popular and increased. Even though there is no one cause to GAD, researches in the psychiatric field tend to believe genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental stresses can all contribute to it. Research has also shown that it can...
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