Understanding neurochemistry, clinical symptoms, and interpersonal strategies is vital for managing PTSD, narcissism, and various mood disorders.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which patients see the world differently from the rest of the population, unable “to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations,” according to the National Institutes o
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Antidepressants are prescribed for depression and other conditions, and although the exact reason they work is unknown, they do alter levels of neurotransmitters, chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters are necessary for communication between neurons; they are also thought to play a role in mood and behavior.
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When faced with a stressful situation, the human body responds with the fight-or-flight response. The sympathetic nervous system reacts, resulting in symptoms such as a racing heart beat and increased sweating. After the stress goes away, the parasympathetic nervous system activates, returning the body to normal.
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Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters that are involved in mood, and are thought to be connected to depression. The Mayo Clinic notes that it is hypothesized that a deficit in either neurotransmitter can cause depression.
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Anxiety disorders affect more than 18 percent of adults in the U.S. in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These disorders cause symptoms that can make daily activities difficult. Medications are sometimes used to help alleviate some symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
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When a patient suffers from a depressive disorder, the symptoms can interfere with her life. Such symptoms might include sadness, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue and inappropriate guilt.
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Depressant drugs are prescribed to relieve tension, anxiety and irritability. In addition, depressant drugs can treat insomnia. Orally taken, depressant drugs have a high potential for abuse, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Ritalin, also sold under the generic name methylphenidate, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While the drug is effective in treating inattention symptoms of ADHD, using Ritalin can result in mental and emotional changes in the patient.
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