Causes of mental disorders

Most hypotheses about the cause of mental disorders assume a disturbance of neurotransmitter systems, which is supported by medications which enhance... 

Nineteenth-century psychiatrists did not believe that masturbation was the sole, or necessarily even the most important, cause of insanity. They probably emphasized it so strongly in their writings, especially in addressing the laity, because they thought they could control it the best. Syphilis as well as hereditary (or constitutional) predisposition were also popular explanations for the cause of mental disorder. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a syndrome characterized by obsessions and/ or compulsions, which together last at least an hour per day and are sufficiently bothersome that they interfere with one s normal social or occupational functioning. Obsessions are experienced internally and subjectively by the patient as thoughts, impulses, or images. According to standard definitions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), obsessions are intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety and distress. Common obsessions are listed in Table 9—1. 

Biological psychiatry is the discipline evaluating abnormalities in brain biology associated with the causes or consequences of mental disorders. True or False. 

Psychiatric journals of the time were mostly concerned with the classification and causation of mental disorders, including ideas about hereditary and chronic infection, and from the 1920s there was an interest in hormonal disturbance as a cause of madness (Moncrieff Crawford 2001). There were few papers about treatments. Textbooks contained only short discussions of treatment. Even when more optimistic attitudes were displayed, they usually emphasised the naturally remitting nature of some psychiatric conditions and the importance of general supportive and social measures, such as fresh air, massage, sunlight, rest and an atmosphere of hopefulness (Hutton 1940). These attitudes were summed up by authors of the foremost British textbook... 

Ebert et al. (1997) attempted to develop a rate estimate for severe mental aberrations caused by fluvoxamine. They carried out a prospective study of 200 inpatients over a total of 8,200 treatment days with the SSRI. Fourteen patients (17%) developed hypomania according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV APA, 1994) criteria. Three patients (1.5%) developed insomnia, agitation, confusion,... 

Up to 10% of patients have to be withdrawn from treatment because of psychiatric symptoms. Bromocriptine-induced psychosis is well known and particular caution is warranted in patients with a family history of mental disorders (109). Even very low doses of bromocriptine can cause psychotic reactions (SEDA-9, 126) (SEDA-10, 117), and well-recognized problems include confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. 

Iodine deficiency remains a major cause of mental retardation and infant mortality and morbidity throughout the world—even though iodine was shown to be essential for human health nearly 100 years ago. More than 1 billion people are beUeved to be at risk for iodine deficiency. In 1986, the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders was established in an effort to improve iodine nutrition and alleviate human suffering. This council works closely with the World Health Organization, the United Nations International Children s Fund, and the... 

Excessive accumulation of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids can result from deficiency of one or more lysosomal hydrolases. Lysosomal storage diseases are classified by the stored material. Accumulation of gly-cosaminoglycans results in mucopolysaccharidoses. Common causes of this disorder include Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, and Sanfihppo syndrome. Sanfdippo syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern and clinically evident by profound mental retardation, lack of normal developmental milestones, and significant language delay. Sanfdippo syndrome results in an excess of heparan sulfate and can be caused by a variety of enzyme deficiencies. 

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