Candycane

Glider, I don't not know much about acute episodes, but the description leads me to believe that they may be caused my neurotransmitters/hormones. That would explain the sudden onset and remission...and also that they have a tendency to occur in a certain age group and sex.

I also chose options 1, 3, and 4 because together they cover most of the possibilities. SSRIs are not ALWAYS effective in individuals with low serotonin levels. So option 1 is definitely a valid argument but not always the case. Options 3 and 4 are pretty self explanatory. In particular, I am interested in the structural differences in the brain in those with mental disorders and so-called "normal" people. In my reading, I have found that the amygdala is often cited as being implicated, especially in those with OCD, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. But I agree with YT2095, a physiological change may not always accompany a mental disorder. Mokele, you are correct, essentially, every process probably involves some sort of structural change. I guess the difference may be the magnitude of that change. Or the comparison to the "norm". Or maybe not. Another question I came across during my research (I did a lit review on mental disorders and the brain) is which comes first? Did the structural changes cause the mental disorder, or did the mental disorder cause the structural changes?

Hi all, My name is Candice. I am interested in most sciences, but specifically, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, biology, chemistry and physics. I look forward to stimulating and interesting discussions with you all.