Anxiety is a result of an over-active
amygdala- the fear centre of the brain,
resulting from imbalance between
excitatory and inhibitory signals
for this area, making sufferers more
nervous and fearful than normal
people. Severe anxiety disorders such
as panic and post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) involve the same
parts of the brain, only different
disturbances in the ongoing signalling.
These findings imply that maladies
of the mind are just like those of the
body, say cancer or diabetes- complex
diseases that manifest upon an
interplay of genetic predispositions and
environmental triggers- preventable,
manageable,
treatable.
Basically,
balanced neurological circuitry is
essential for mental health.
Interestingly, we have also witnessed
that most people tide over adversities,
but some are unable to- not every
victim of bullies becomes mentally ill.
What determines mental resilience?
Environment? Education? Or simply
will power? Studies suggest that a
feeling of security, purpose in life
and positive experiences are the
foundations to mental resilience. The
sooner one starts building it, the better,
but there is never a wrong time to build
resilience. These building blocks are
present both within and around us.
Depression, on the other hand, appears
to be more complex. Firstly, the levels
of chemical signals (neurotransmitters)
called serotonin and dopamine are
abnormal. Serotonin signals well-
being and happiness to our brains
while dopamine induces motivation.
Secondly, the brain tissue is sometimes
shrunken. Third, the ability to form
new neurons and connections or repair
and modify old ones is impaired. Lastly,
immunity modulators called cytokines,
which induce sickness behaviour like
staying indoors, sleeping a lot and
generally low energy levels are found in
excessively high amounts in depressed
individuals. Cytokine signalling is
in fact elevated under chronic stress.
Though depression manifests as slow
behavioural changes that evade our
observation, often simply under the
cloak of sadness, it is a serious medical
issue.
IS IT ALL IN OUR HEADS?
Brains are complex machines. Scientists
have been studying it for years to find
neuropsychological causes and genetic
bases of mental illnesses, which are
many- depression, anxiety disorders,
eating disorders, cognitive disability
and so on. To understand where the
problems lie, researchers dive deep
into the workings of the brain. The
clockwork includes a huge repertoire of
chemical and electrical signals that pass
between connected brain cells called
neurons. Imbalances in signals between
or within different parts of the brain
result in myriad mental anomalies.
our habits, mood swings or fetishes. Yet, in
this fast-paced life in the 21st century, signs
of distress escape the friendly radars of our
loved ones and our own selves. Besides
the lack of free time, our reluctance to
understand these complex phenomena,
ignorance and social stigma worsen the
situation for sufferers. Depressive bouts
are confused with laziness, anxiety simply
called lack of focus and attention deficit
equated to incompetence. Such labels
make a negative impact, especially on the
young impressionable minds. In fact, half
of all mental illnesses begin even before
the age of fourteen!
Volume 4 | Issue 1 | January-March 2019
47