BIOLOGY PROJECT

Akanksha Katkar
XI A
 PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
CHINCHWAD

BIOLOGY (044)

Topic: - Biological basis of Psychological Disorders

Name: Akanksha Mahesh Katkar

Class: XI/A

Roll Number: 2
 PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CHINCHWAD

CERTIFICATE

Year:2021-2022

This is to certify that Akanksha Mahesh Katkar, a student of Podar International

School, of class XI Science, Roll No.-2 , has completed her full semester project
in the Fulfilment of curriculum All India Senior Secondary Examination.

The project Biological basis of Psychological Disorders work is the original

work done by her during her above full semester project.

__________ __________ __________

Principal’s Signature External Examiner Internal Examiner

Date: __________ School Stamp

 Acknowledgements

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to the Principal, Mrs.

Shehanaz Cottar Ma’am for her encouragement and all the support that she
provided for this project. I sincerely appreciate this magnanimity by taking me
into her fold for which I shall remain indebted to her.

I also extend my heartily thanks to Mrs. Madhuri Gholkar, biology teacher who
guided me to the successful completion of this project. I take this opportunity to
express deep sense of gratitude for her valuable guidance, constant
encouragement and immense motivation which has sustained my efforts at all
stages of this project work.

I would also like to thank my parents for their support.

 INDEX

Sr.No. Topic Pg.

1 Introduction 6
2 Causes 7
3 Symptoms 8
4 How does a mental illness affect human brain 9-10
5 Treatment 11-12
6 Types of mental disorders 13
7 Can mental illness be prevented? 14
8 Case study 15-16
9 Conclusion 17

10 Bibliography 18
 Introduction

Psychological disorders, often known as mental disorders, are mental anomalies

that result in persistent behavior patterns that can have a significant impact on
your daily function and lifestyle.
The biological perspective is essentially a way of looking at human problems
and actions. The study of physiology and biological processes has played a
significant role in psychology since its earliest beginnings. Charles Darwin first
introduced the idea that evolution and genetics play a role in human behavior.
Some topics that a psychologist might explore using this perspective include:
• Analysing how trauma to the brain influences behaviours
• Assessing the differences and similarities in twins to determine which
characteristics are tied to genetics and which are linked to environmental
influences
• Exploring how genetic factors influence such things as aggression
• Investigating how degenerative brain diseases impact how people act
• Studying how genetics and brain damage are linked to mental disorders
 Causes

There is no single cause for mental illness. Gender plays a role in some, but not
all, psychological disorders. A number of factors can contribute to risk for
mental illness, such as:

• Abuse or neglect as a child

• Childhood problems with temperament
• Family or personal history of mental illness or substance abuse
• Intelligence below normal
• Low birth weight
• Lower socioeconomic status
• Parental absence, criminal activity, or substance abuse
• Prenatal exposures, such as to alcohol or drugs
• Significant medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain, and
hypothyroidism
• Social disadvantage
• Stressful or traumatic life events
• Substance abuse

Character defects aren't to blame for mental illnesses. It has nothing to do with
being a lazy or a weak.
 Symptoms

Mental health problems can cause a wide variety of emotional symptoms,

some of which include:
• Changes in mood
• Erratic thinking
• Chronic anxiety
• Exaggerated sense of self-worth
• Impulsive actions

Psychological disorders may also be associated with physical symptoms

including:
• Inexplicable physical problems
• Lethargy or malaise
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight and appetite changes

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition:

• Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational or
suicidal behaviour
• Inability to care for one’s basic needs
• Trauma, such as bone deformity, burns, eye injuries, and other injuries
 How does a mental illness affect human brain?

Neurotransmitters
Special cells inside the brain called neurons, which act as messengers that send
commands from the brain to the rest of the body. Neurons communicate with
each other across tiny gaps called synapses
In order to bridge that gap, the neurons first send an electrical signal. When that
electrical impulse reaches the synapses, the signal causes the release of
chemicals called neurotransmitters, which send messages to other neurons by
binding with receptors on the receiving neuron. Some of the neurotransmitters:
• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• Norepinephrine

Mental Illness and Neurotransmitters

Researchers do believe that neurotransmitters play a critical role in
understanding why mental illness affects some people and not others.
Some examples:
• According to the National Institutes of Health, people with depression
have lower amounts of serotonin pass between their neurons than people
who are not depressed.
• The case of post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, researchers
believe that individuals who suffer from “flashbacks” may also
experience an increased level of norepinephrine alongside elevated heart
rate and blood pressure.
• In the case of obsessive compulsive disorder, for example, doctors have
seen improvement among patients who take a medication that increases
the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the body. While this
medication has helped patients decrease the number of times they engage
in compulsive behaviour.
In some cases, scientists believe that neurotransmitters are involved in
mental illness, even if they don’t yet know exactly how.
When the brain has too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter,
individuals commonly experience mental health complications.
Though it’s difficult to say with absolute certainty that neurotransmitters are
a leading cause of mental illness, researchers know that their presence or
absence can greatly affect our mental health. Changing levels of many
different neurotransmitters play a critical role in our mental health.
 Treatment

At this time, most mental illnesses cannot be cured, but they can usually be
treated effectively to minimize the symptoms and allow the individual to
function in work, school, or social environments.
To begin treatment, an individual needs to see a qualified mental health
professional. The first thing that the doctor or other mental health professional
will do is speak with the individual to find out more about his or her symptoms,
how long the symptoms have lasted, and how the person's life is being affected.
The physician will also do a physical examination to determine whether there
are other health problems. After the individual's overall health is evaluated and
the condition diagnosed, the doctor will develop a treatment plan. Treatment
can involve both medications and psychotherapy, depending on the disease and
its severity.

Medications
Medications for mental illness are generally safe and effective when used as
prescribed. As with any medication, however, side effects may occur.
Research shows that medications like antipsychotics, lithium and
antidepressants can actually protect brain cells from damage caused by brain
illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This improves overall
functioning.
For example, doctors commonly prescribe antidepressant medications that alter
the levels of serotonin in the brain to help stabilize moods.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a treatment method in which a mental health professional and
the patient discuss problems and feelings. This discussion helps patients
understand the basis of their problems and find solutions. Psychotherapy may
take different forms. The therapy can help patients:
❖ change thought or behaviour patterns
❖ understand how past experiences influence current behaviours
❖ solve other problems in specific ways
❖ learn illness self-management skills
Psychotherapy produces long-term changes in behaviour, by producing changes
in gene expression that alter the strength of synaptic connections and structural
changes that alter the anatomical pattern of interconnections between nerve cells
of the brain.
Just as there are no medications that can instantly cure mental illnesses,
psychotherapy is not a one-time event.
The amount of time a person spends in psychotherapy can range from a few
visits to a few years, depending on the nature of the illness or problem. In
general, the more severe the problem, the more lengthy the psychotherapy
should be.
 Types of Mental Disorders

Anxiety disorder
People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear
and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety or panic, such as a rapid
heartbeat and sweating.
An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if the person's response is not appropriate for
the situation, if the person cannot control the response, or if the anxiety
interferes with normal functioning.
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social
anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

Depression
Depression is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of
guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness, and poor
concentration. People with depression may also have multiple physical
complaints with no apparent physical cause.
Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing people’s
ability to function at work or school and to cope with daily life. At its most
severe, depression can lead to suicide.

Bipolar Disorder
It typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods
of normal mood.
Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, rapid speech,
inflated self-esteem and a decreased need for sleep. People who have manic
attacks but do not experience depressive episodes are also classified as having
bipolar disorder.
There are many other mental illnesses, the one’s mentioned above are a few
of them.
 Can Mental Illnesses be Prevented?
There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you have a mental
illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost
low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Follow these
steps:
▪ Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or therapist to
learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan so that you know
what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you
notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving
family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
▪ Get routine medical care. Don't neglect check-ups or skip visits to your
primary care provider, especially if you aren't feeling well. You may have
a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be
experiencing side effects of medication.
▪ Get help when you need it. Mental health conditions can be harder to
treat if you wait until symptoms get bad. Long-term maintenance
treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
▪ Take good care of yourself. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular
physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk
to your primary care provider if you have trouble sleeping or if you have
questions about diet and physical activity.
 Case Study

Sarah (Bipolar Disorder)

Sarah is a 42-year-old married woman who has a long history of both
depressive and hypomanic episodes. Across the years she has been variable
diagnoses as having major depression, borderline personality disorder, and most
recently, bipolar disorder.
Review of symptoms indicates that she indeed has multiple episodes of
depression beginning in her late teens, but that clear hypomanic episodes later
emerged. Her elevated interpersonal conflict, hyper-sexuality and alcohol use
during her hypomanic episodes led to the provisional borderline diagnosis, but
in the context of her full history, bipolar disorder appears the best diagnosis.
Sarah notes that she is not currently in a relationship and that she feels
alienated from her family.
She has been taking mood stabilizers for the last year, but continues to have low
level symptoms of depression. In the past, she has gone off her medication
multiple times, but at present she says she is “tired of being in trouble all the
time” and wants to try individual psychotherapy.

Symptoms
▪ Alcohol Use
▪ Depression
▪ Elevated Mood
▪ Impulsivity
▪ Mania/Hypomania
▪ Mood Cycles
▪ Risky Behaviours
Diagnoses and Related Treatments

The following treatments have empirical support for individuals with Bipolar
Disorder:
• Cognitive Therapy (CT) for Bipolar Disorder
• Family Focused Therapy (FFT) for Bipolar Disorder
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) for Bipolar
Disorder
• Psychoeducation for Bipolar Disorder
• Systematic Care for Bipolar Disorder
 Conclusion

"The last great stigma of the twentieth century is the stigma of mental illness."
—Tipper Gore, wife of the former U.S. Vice President

"Mentally ill people are nuts, crazy, wacko." "Mentally ill people are morally
bad." "Mentally ill people are dangerous and should be locked in an asylum
forever." "Mentally ill people need somebody to take care of them." How often
have we heard comments like these or seen these types of portrayals in movies,
television shows, or books?
Each of those preconceptions about people who have a mental illness is based
on false information. Very few people who have a mental illness are dangerous
to society. Most can hold jobs, attend school, and live independently.
Stigmas against individuals who have a mental illness lead to injustices,
including discriminatory decisions regarding housing, employment, and
education.
Providing accurate information is one way to reduce stigmas about mental
illness.

Attitudes about mental illness are changing, although there is a long way to go
before people accept that mental illness is a disease with a biological basis.
 Bibliography

https://courses.lumenlearning.com
https://www.routledge.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.artofendingstigma.com/