High technology is helping scientists identify the medical causes of emotional and mental problems that have been considered character flaws for centuries. State-of-the-art tomographs and scanners allow you to look into the hidden depths of the living human brain.
Instructions
Step 1
Attention deficit disorder, depression and premenstrual syndrome are common causes of negative changes in mood and behavior, and disorders of attention and thinking in general. These and similar diseases in etiology reduce the social efficiency of a person due to the deterioration of cognitive function and emotional disturbances.
Step 2
Cognitive functions are localized in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobes of the brain. Responsible for the emotional sphere is the limbic system, located in the central part of the brain and consisting of several interconnected elements, including the endocrine glands.
Step 3
In ADD and depression, there is a pathological redistribution of levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system. In ADD, when a person tries to focus on solving a problem, the activity of his prefrontal cortex is drastically reduced. The more effort the patient makes, the less his ability to cope with the mental task. The prefrontal cortex seems to be shutting down, and with it cognitive abilities. This is due to a deficiency in the cortex of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which leads to decreased concentration, disorganization and impulsivity.
Step 4
With depression, excessive excitement is observed in the limbic system, it begins to suppress the main control center - the prefrontal cortex, and significantly impairs the quality of thinking. The lack of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine leads to an acceleration of metabolism in the nervous tissue of the brain, which manifests itself as inflammation in the deep limbic system. A person suffering from depression “thinks” with feelings, as a rule, of an extremely negative nature, loses the ability to think rationally and objectively evaluate what is happening.
Step 5
During premenstrual syndrome, a similar pattern is observed in the brains of women. An inflamed limbic system “grabs power” and depresses cognitive function. In a woman's life, emotions begin to prevail over rational thinking, and, depending on the localization of the inflammatory process, the symptoms of PMS may differ. Increased activity on the left side of the deep limbic system causes bouts of irritability, anger, and other negative emotions directed outward towards others. Inflammation on the right side is manifested by sadness and anxiety, depressed mood and withdrawal.
