Biological Basis for Psychiatric Disorders | Chapter 3 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (8th)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:24:02 +0000

Chapter 3 of Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach (8th Edition) examines the biological foundations of psychiatric disorders and the treatments that arise from this understanding. The chapter begins by exploring the structure and function of the central nervous system, with particular focus on the brain’s regions—cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and limbic system—and their roles in emotion, cognition, and behavior. Neurons and neurotransmitters are emphasized as the core units of communication, with detailed discussion of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine, glutamate, and histamine in the regulation of mood, thought, and perception. The text highlights how alterations in neurotransmitter pathways contribute to disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroimaging techniques—including CT, MRI, fMRI, and PET scans—are presented as essential tools for visualizing structural and functional abnormalities in psychiatric conditions. The chapter also examines the endocrine system, circadian rhythms, and genetics as key influences on psychiatric health, linking stress responses and heritability patterns to mental illness. Treatment modalities are explored in depth, with psychopharmacology as a primary intervention. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs), antipsychotics (first- and second-generation), mood stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants), and antianxiety medications (benzodiazepines, buspirone) are described with their mechanisms of action and clinical implications. The chapter also reviews brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), deep brain stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation as innovative approaches to treatment-resistant conditions. Implications for nursing practice are woven throughout, emphasizing patient education, monitoring for side effects, and promoting adherence to treatment regimens. By integrating neuroscience, pharmacology, and nursing care, this chapter underscores the importance of a biologically informed perspective in psychiatric-mental health nursing and highlights how nurses bridge scientific knowledge with compassionate care.

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