Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
Discussion Response to Kaleab B
Hello,
There are multiple factors that impact the development of psychopathology. These factors range from social, environmental, interpersonal and psychological factors. Some of these factors are also genetic and hence may trigger development of a psychopathology. To begin with is the biologic factors that may impact development of psychopathology. I agree with you that these pathophysiologic factors can include neuroplasticity dysfunctions, neurotransmitter functioning and hormonal imbalances (Borsboom et al., 2019). Mood and anxiety disorders are good examples of the impact of hormones and neurotransmission on thought patterns. There are however other mental illnesses that develop due to developmental changes of some cells and structures of the brain. For example, the changing of microglial cells during ageing might impact development of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease (Bailey & Im-Bolter, 2018). I also agree with you that the likelihood of psychopathology occurring can also be triggered by brain injury, prenatal harm and exposure to diseases. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
Social factors are also great contributors of mental health illnesses. According to the world health organization, about 970million people suffer from mental health illnesses, most of which are as a result of social factors (Borsboom et al., 2019). The social factors involve race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation discriminations as you have stated. Interpersonal factors also contribute to development of psychopathology. For example, parental attachment of low quality as you have stated may impact early life exposure to trauma thus causing illnesses such as depression (McCrae & Brown, 2018). Early childhood experiences are also associated with development of psychopathology. What are some of the ways that early childhood experiences can cause these diseases? I am glad to have read your post and have gained much concerning psychopathology.
References
Bailey, K., & Im-Bolter, N. (2018). Social context as a risk factor for psychopathology in children with epilepsy. Seizure, 57, 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2018.03.007
Borsboom, D., Cramer, A. O., & Kalis, A. (2019). Brain disorders? Not really: Why network structures block reductionism in psychopathology research. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 42, e2. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X17002266
McCrae, J. S., & Brown, S. M. (2018). Systematic review of social–emotional screening instruments for young children in child welfare. Research on Social Work Practice, 28(7), 767-788. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
Discussion Response to Scott M
Hello,
Mental illness is a health condition caused by multiple factors. It is therefore essential for healthcare providers to always be explore each and every patient for all the possible causes of their respective mental illness before offering any pharmacokinetic intervention. I agree with you that these factors many I number with common of them being biological, developmental, cultural and socioeconomic factors. One of the most pronounced factor cause of mental health is the biological factor associated with brain development. I agree with you that some neuropsychiatric conditions that develop as a result of growth development include depression, ADHD, autism and schizophrenia. Some of these mental health illnesses occur as a result of having minute structures of the brain. For example, having a hippocampus and frontal cortex that are relatively smaller in indicate that the patient might be suffering from schizophrenia (De Figueiredo et al., 2021). I also agree with you that some changes occurring to some cells of the brain during aging impact some mental disorders. For instance, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases might occur due to changes in microglial cells during aging (De Figueiredo et al., 2021). Genetics also plays a role in development of some disorders such as depression since people from a family with a history of depression are two times likely to develop depression than those who are from families with no history of depression as you have stated. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
The low standards of living characterized with extreme poverty such as homelessness can also trigger mental illnesses. Furthermore, certain populations such as black populations in most cases experience socioeconomic exclusion in areas such as education and healthcare access, which may impact development of mental health diseases such as depression as you have stated (Reiss et al., 2019). I am glad to have read your post and have gained a lot concerning mental illnesses and their cause.
Scott M
Discussion 1:
A multitude of factors can cause mental illness. These factors can include biological, developmental, socioeconomic, and cultural, to name a few. These factors all impact the development of mental health and mental illnesses. The World Health Organization (2022) states that one in eight people is affected by a mental illness, about 970 million people worldwide. All 970 million people with mental illness are affected by at least one of the factors mentioned earlier.
A biological factor for the development of mental illness is brain development. “An increasing number of neuropsychiatric conditions are considered to originate during brain development, including schizophrenia, depression, autism, and ADHD.†(Boland et al., 2022) Abnormal development of any neurological structures can contribute to the development of mental illness. (Boland et al., 2022) Structures such as the frontal cortex and the hippocampus are developmentally smaller in schizophrenic patients. (Boland et al., 2022) Changes in the cells and neurons during aging can also cause certain disorders. For example, changes in microglial cells can cause Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. (Boland et al., 2022) Genetics has a strong presence in the development of mental illness. “Most psychiatric disorders have a genetic underpinning – people with a family history of depression are twice as likely to develop depression themselves, and those with relatives with schizophrenia are up to eight times as likely to develop schizophrenia.†(NIHR, 2023) Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
Patients with lower economic status are more likely to develop a mental illness. (Mind, 2023) Homelessness and poorly developed housing are causes of mental illness. (Mind, 2023) “The Black communities, like other communities of color, are more likely to experience socioeconomic disparities such as exclusion from health, educational, social, and economic resources. These disparities may contribute to worse mental health outcomes.†(NAMI, 2020) The upbringing of the patient plays a factor in mental health. “Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances- including poverty, violence, disability, and inequality – are at higher risk.†(World Health Organization, 2022) Other factors impacting mental health and illness include being isolated from others, all forms of abuse, and trauma. (Mind, 2023) Culture is also a component when it comes to mental health and illness. (Boland et al., 2022) Different cultures respond differently to mental illness and influence how mental illness symptoms are described and outwardly shown to the provider and healthcare team. (Boland et al., 2022) The provider needs to understand the patient’s cultural background to ascertain essential information during the assessment process. (Boland et al., 2022)
As providers, it is important to remember that a client is not just one-dimensional. The clients are multifaceted and complex. Many factors impact and play a role in the development of mental illnesses, and these factors must be assessed and explored to narrow down the best treatment option to benefit the patient. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
References
Boland, R., Verduin, M., and Ruiz, P. (2022) Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry (12th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Mind. (2023) Mental health problems- an introduction. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-problems-introduction/causes/Links to an external site.
NAMI. (2020) Mental Health In Black Communities: Challenges, Resources, Community Voices. https://namica.org/mental-health-challenges-in-african-american-communities/Links to an external site.
NIHR. (2023) Understanding genetic contributions to mental health. https://www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/stories-of-research/understanding-genetic-contributions-to-mental-health/#:~:text=Most%20psychiatric%20disorders%20have%20a,as%20likely%20to%20develop%20schizophreniaLinks to an external site..
World Health Organization (2022) Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disordersLinks to an external site. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
#2
Kaleab B
There are a number of factors that influence the development of psychopathology. In many cases, it is a combination of psychological, social, environmental, and interpersonal factors that can predispose an individual to psychopathology (Pollak, 2018). Among key biologic factors are the hereditary markers that people may have that may increase the chance of developing mental illness. Biologic factors can also include neurotransmitter functioning, hormonal imbalances, and dysfunctions in neuroplasticity (Pollak, 2018). One example is the relationship between mood and anxiety disorders and the impacts of hormones and neurotransmission on thought patterns. A biological predisposition for co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse can increase the risks of mental health disorder. In addition, biologic criteria such as prenatal harm, exposure to disease and toxins, and traumatic brain injury can all increase the likelihood of pathology (Pollak, 2018).
Social factors that precipitate psychopathology include exposure to stress, insecure attachment to parents and caregivers during childhood, and consistent exposure to environmental pathogens (Carter et al., 2018). Stress exposure in childhood typically initiates the process of adaptation. However, adaptation may be impeded or modified when stress exposure is repeated and traumatic, and this in turn can diminish the ability of the individual to developing and maintain effective coping. Social factors can also involve marginalization due to minority or socioeconomic status or exposure to discrimination resulting from race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or gender (Cheung & Mak, 2018). Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper Sociocultural factors are increasingly being recognized as a direct contributor to psychopathological manifestations in a variety of ways, including in terms of tendency toward care-seeking and engagement with the surrounding health care infrastructure.
Many different categories of interpersonal factors can increase the likelihood of psychopathological disorder. Examples include low quality of parental attachment and exposure to early life trauma such as abuse or neglect (Cheung & Mak, 2018). Mistreatment from caregivers represents a broad risk factor. Additionally, social isolation and interpersonal dysfunction can result in disordered cognitive and emotional development that can lead to pathologic conditions. Researchers have increasingly identified the role of adverse childhood experiences as cultivating a higher likelihood of psychopathology. These can include physical or emotional neglect in addition to conditions like poverty and malnutrition. According to Kalin (2020), adverse experiences in childhood can disrupt structural and functional development of the brain, which in turn can influence immune response an promote chronic activation of immune response. Other factors like exposure to peer pressure and low quality of peer relationships can also manifest as a precipitating factor. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper
Carter, A., Briggs-Gowan, M., Davis, N. (2018). Assessment of young children’s social emotional development and psychopathology: recent advances and recommendations for practice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(1), 109-134.
Cheung, F. & Mak, W. (2018). Sociocultural factors in psychopathology. In J.N. Butcher & J.M. Hooley (Eds). APA Handbook of Psychopathology: Psychopathology, 1, pp. 127-147.
Kalin, N. (2020). Early life environmental factors impacting the development of psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(1), 1-8.
Pollak, S. (2018). Developmental psychopathology: Recent advances and future challenges. World Psychiatry, 14(2), 262-269. Psychopathology in Children With Epilepsy Discussion Paper