Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

Depressive Disorders Depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by the persistent and prolonged feeling of sadness. It causes different emotional and physical issues as it influences the way the person feels, thinks, or behaves. Causes of depression include biological differences, altered neurotransmitters or brain chemistry, change in hormones, and mutated genes due to congenital factors. Symptoms of depressive disorders are feeling sad, empty, hopeless, and tearful; angry outbursts and irritation; losing interest in pleasurable activities; sleep disturbances; tiredness; altered appetite; anxiety and restlessness; altered movements; troubled thinking, lack of concentration, and the inability to make decisions and remember things; and unexplained physical problems. Personality Disorders Personality disorder is a form of mental disorder characterized by a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Personality disorders are caused by the combination of mutated genes and environmental influences. Personality disorders can be categorized in three clusters: cluster A disorders, including paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder; cluster B disorders, including antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder; and cluster C disorders, including avoidant personality disorders, dependent personality disorders, and obsessive compulsive personality disorder. 6.6 Alterations in Neuromuscular Functions Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson's disease is a disorder in which the nervous system gets impaired and normal movements are affected. It is a progressive disease that cannot be cured using medications and the symptoms get worse over time. It may begin with a tremor in one hand, which later progresses to the state of stiffness and decreased movement. This disorder is caused by the break down or death of certain neurons in the brain. It is generally characterized by the loss of the chemical messenger present in the brain, dopamine, and leads to abnormal activity of the brain. Prominent factors that cause Parkinson's disease are mutations in genes, exposure to toxins and other environmental factors, presence of lewy bodies within the brain cells, and the presence of alpha synuclein protein in these lewy bodies. Signs and symptoms of this disorder are tremor, bradykinesia or slowed movements, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, and changes in speech and writing. Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system of the body attacks the myelin. Myelin is the protective shield that surrounds nerve fibers. When the immune system attacks the myelin, it causes impaired communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The end effect is the deterioration and permanent damage of the nerves. It is not possible to fully treat this disease but medications can help with relieving symptoms.

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