PS268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Dopamine Receptor D2, Manfred Sakel, Atypical Antipsychotic
Document Summary
Mental illness: referred to as psychological disorders, characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour. Associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. Can vary from mild to severe: second leading cause of human disability and premature death in canada, depression occurs in 10-25% of females (twice the rate in men) In people with mental disorders, substance abuse risk is 2-4x as high as general population. Tobacco and cannabis the two most abused: risk of schizophrenia in adulthood 6x as high in frequent cannabis users, two proposed theories. People choose drug that is effective in combating symptoms of psychosis: provides negative reinforcement. Neurobiology of psychosis and brain areas involved increase vulnerability to substance abuse. Increased vulnerability may produce increased pleasure: provides positive reinforcement, medical model. Before 19th century, mental illness explained by magic or religious explanations or biophysical explanations. Increasing focus on neurobiological cause had beneficial results. Promoted new treatments, reduced stigma and encouraged investment into further research.
