Thus, when mentioning mental health, rst of all, it is worth mentioning a person’s emotions or a psychological state, however, it is crucial to indicate that the brain, which is an organ that controls different thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, is central to mental health. Neurology; the branch of medicine dealing with the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, offers relevant information on how our brain functions and/or how an imbalance in the brain could result to mental health disorders.
In this blog, I will expand on the interrelation between neurology and mental health, neurological disorders and their impact on psychological wellness, and why this relationship should be acknowledged to improve patient outcomes.
What is Neurology?
Neurology is the process of diagnosing and managing diseases associated with the nervous system, brain, and spinal cord. Neurologists are medical professionals who are able to diagnose and treat such ailments as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and dementia among others.
Neurology is concerned with various aspects such as an injury to the nervous system as due to trauma stroke or certain infections, or chronic disorders such as Parkinson’s, which deals with movement disorder, that is, motor system. Nevertheless, most of these neurological diseases also cause mental problems such as depression, anxiety, or any change in brain functions which proves the immediate relationship between neurology and mental health.
Getting Insight into Neurology and Mental Health
What the Brain Does in Mental Health
A brain works as the command and nerve center of an individual’s body well being. It controls even every small thing, our heart beat to the movement, thoughts, feeling, and even actions. Mental illnesses are associated with a change, disruption or injury to the structure or chemistry in the brain.
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and the likes can be ascribed to the neurochemistries including; serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These are responsible for sending signals within the brain and inuences mood, behaviors and thoughts. Disruptions that occur in the production or regulation of such chemicals may cause mental illness to develop.
Disorders of the Brain and Mind
Some neurological diseases can have a clear impact on mental health. Here are some common examples:
Stroke:
A stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain are narrowed or burst, resulting in decreased blood ow. This can lead to brain damage and bring about such symptoms as extended and or altered mental function, memory loss or behavioural alterations. Sadness and anxiety are typical psychological reactions to stroke as the altered functioning of the brain may inuence personality.
Parkinson’s Disease:
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterised by progressive loss of control of movements, which may include involuntary shaking, stiffness, and slowness of movement.. However, patients suffering from Parkinson’s also show symptoms related to mental health, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. This is because the substance dopamine which is produced in the brain by certain cells that control mood and movement is affected in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease:
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that results to confusion, memory loss and changes in behavior. There are also other complications that will show up depending on the advancement stage of the disease; these include anxiety, depression, and aggression. Neurological deterioration manifested by brain cell damage and a decline in cognitive functions can be quite irritating and upsetting for patients and families, ultimately inuencing mental health.
Epilepsy:
Epilepsy is a disorder that arises from the brain and is marked by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has repeated, brief episodes of unresponsiveness and sometimes convulsions due to the electrical disturbance in the brain. Research has shown that individuals with epilepsy suffer from depression and anxiety because of social isolation, loss of employment, and fear of an epileptic attack.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS):
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the spinal cord and optic nerves and interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body. MS can cause physical complaints such as muscle weakness, numbness of the limbs, and impairment of gait, but it is also accompanied by psychological disorders. Most of the people living with MS present with depressive disorder, thinking difculties and fatigue; therefore, the ability to cope with the daily tasks is impaired.
How Mental Health Disorders Inuence the Brain
Even mental health disorders themselves are capable of modifying the architecture and operations of the human brain. For example:
- Depression has been associated with modication in the hippocampus region of the brain that is in charge of memory and emotions. A study found that depression may result in reduced hippocampal size; this region of the brain is associated with memory and some emotional functions.
- Stress may also affect the functioning of amygdala which refers to a part of the brain which is involved in the fear and stress responses. When amygdala becomes hyperactive, a person becomes vulnerable to stress and anxiety, which causes anxiety disorders’ physical and psychological manifestations.
- Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which a person has well-dened but different ideas and experiences from the rest of society, thus they may experience hallucinations, delusions, and problems with how they think. It was ascertained that abnormalities of the brains are seen in schizophrenia and exactly the changes occur in areas such as frontal cortex. These changes may be thought to cause decits in cognition, for instance, concentration impairment or, decision-making impairment.
The Importance of Neurological and Mental Health Care
The state of neurology and a patient’s mental health go hand in hand and it is imperative to have the two in consideration. Coordination between neurologists and psychiatrists is important in order to avoid having one part of a person’s body healthy while the mind is sick.
For instance, a stroke patient could see a neurologist with regard to alleviating the physical complications of a stroke, yet they may require a psychologist or therapist to help them cope with the mental complications of a stroke, such as chronic depression or panic disorders. Likewise, a Parkinson’s disease patient may require medication for controlling the movement disease and therapy for psychiatric symptoms such as depression.
This integrated care model allows ensuring that the patient in question is given comprehensive medical treatment and is focused on both the neurological and the psychological aspects of the possible disease.
Conclusion
It is, therefore, clear that there is a synergy between neurology and mental health though the two are related in a mysterious way. Neurological diseases may severely impair the mental well-being of the patient and mental illness can also impact the functions of the brain. This means people need to grasp the fact that in fact, mental health is not a matter of feelings and only psychological traits; it is very much related to the brain than many can think of.
Increasing the general public’s understanding of this correlation can help with providing proper treatment for neurological and mental ailments and removing the stigma attached to both. So, if you or a loved one have a neurological or mental health disorder, it is very helpful to be seen by doctors who are willing and able to address both aspects of the condition and its impact on the patient.
