Title 02 AbPsy - An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology.pdf ✅

● Diathesis: a condition that makes someone susceptible to developing a disorder ○ Also called vulnerability ○ Ex. tendency to faint at the sight of blood ● ↑ vulnerability = ↓ stress needed Gene-Environment Correlation Model – genetic endowment may increase the probability that an individual will experience stressful life events ● The inherent vulnerability is accompanied by an increased probability that the individual will create the necessary environmental influences needed to trigger their genetic vulnerability ● Also called reciprocal gene–environment model ● ↑ vulnerability = ↑ chance to encounter triggers EPIGENETICS AND THE NON-GENOMIC “INHERITANCE” OF BEHAVIOR ● Genetic influences are less powerful than what is commonly believed ● Environment cannot change the DNA, it can only change the gene expression ● Genes are turned on or off by an epigenome ● Epigenome: a material that is located outside the genome ● External factors affect the epigenome and can be passed down to generations ● The genome itself is not changed; the epigenome will fade away if the external influences disappear ● The complex interaction of both nature and nurture influences the development of behavior and personality NEUROSCIENCE AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Neuroscience Paradigm – examines the contribution of brain structure and function to psychopathology THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Central Nervous System - consist of the brain and the spinal cord; processes all the information received from our sense and organs ● Spinal Cord: facilitates the sending of messages to and from the brain ● Neurons: specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body ○ Nucleus: found in the cell body and responsible for neural processes ○ Dendrite: has receptors that receive chemical impulses which is then converted to electrical signals (action potential) ○ Axons: sends out received signal to other neurons ■ Carrier of action potential ■ Terminal Buttons: end of an axon ○ Synapses: connection between nerve cells ○ Synaptic Cleft: small space between the end of each neuron through which impulse must pass ● Neurotransmitters: chemicals that allow neurons to send a signal to another neuron ○ Chemicals that are stored in the terminal buttons Peripheral Nervous System: coordinates with the brain stem to make sure the body is working properly ● Somatic Nervous System: controls the muscle ● Autonomic Nervous System: regulates the cardiovascular system and the endocrine system 2 | @studywithky
○ Also performs various other functions, including aiding digestion and regulating body temperature ○ Sympathetic Nervous System: mobilizes the body during times of stress and danger ■ ↑ heart rate = ↑ blood flow ■ ↑ respiration = ↑ oxygen for organs ■ Adrenal glands are also stimulated ○ Parasympathetic Nervous System: responsible for balancing the sympathetic NS Endocrine System – secretes hormones into the bloodstream; closely related to the immune system ● Adrenal Glands: produce epinephrine (also called adrenaline) in response to stress, as well as salt-regulating hormones ● Thyroid Glands: produces thyroxine, which facilitates energy metabolism and growth ● Pituitary Gland: master gland that produces a variety of regulatory hormones ● Gonadal Glands: produce sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Axis – cortical part of the adrenal glands also produces the stress hormone cortisol ● A dysregulation of the HPA axis is linked to depression ● Telomere: appears to moderate the effect of depression and cortisol ○ Research showed that daughters of depressed mothers had shorter telomeres than did daughters of never-depressed mothers ○ Shorter telomeres were associated with greater cortisol reactivity to stress STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN Brainstem – handles most autonomic functions such as sleeping, breathing etc ● Lower and ancient part of the brain ● Hindbrain: lowest part of the brainstem that regulates most autonomic activities ○ Pons: handles unconscious processes such as the sleep-wake cycle and controls pain ○ Medulla Oblongata: regulates blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing ○ Cerebellum: manages motor coordination Midbrain – coordinates movement in sensory inputs ● Contains part of the reticular activating system ● Reticular Activating System: aids in the processing of arousal and tensions Thalamus and Hypothalamus ● Regulates behavior and emotions ● Bridge between upper forebrain and brainstem Forebrain – largest division of the brain; responsible for higher level thinking ● Limbic System: helps with emotional regulation / expression and, to some extent, the ability to learn and to control impulses ○ Hippocampus (Sea Horse): involved in long-term memory formation and memory retrieval ○ Cingulate Gyrus (Girdle): involved in processing emotions and behavior regulation 3 | @studywithky