Mind & DISORDERS in the Mind

In the world, there are lots of philosophical, religious and individual definitions of the mind. But we are using science and technology in every moment of our life. Isn’t it?

If we see Scientifically “mind is nothing but the physiological function of the brain.”

There are many organs in the human body. Every organ has its function. For example, if you take the heart; it pumps the blood all over the body. So, physiologically the purpose of the HEART in our body is blood CIRCULATION—likewise, KIDNEYS purify the blood and excreting toxins through urine, it’s called EXCRETION. LUNGS doing the function of breathing called RESPIRATION. Our GASTROINTESTINAL tract (from mouth to anus) does the role of DIGESTION. Our GENITAL ORGANS do the service of PROCREATION. We SMELL through NOSE, TASTE by TONGUE, HEAR by EARS, etc. etc. Likewise, our BRAIN does a role in our body called MIND.

Brain doing the function of mind, other than that it exerts centralised control over a body’s other organs. In that sense, if we consider Brain as a central government, other organs are various state governments.

MIND DISORDERS

We saw the functions of the brain is mind. Isn’t it?. The functions of the brain depend on the ability of neurons (brain cells) to transmit electrochemical signals to other cells, and their ability to respond appropriately to electrochemical signals received from other cells.

If there is anything wrong with that electrochemical transmission among the neurons, the mind disorders will arise.

If the disturbance occurs only in electrical transmission, it will create a problem called a seizure. There are many types of seizures which depends on the electrical transmission disturbed, in which part of the brain. For example, if the disturbance happens in the temporal region of the brain, it is called temporal lobe epilepsy.

If the chemical signals not orderly (i.e. disorder) transmitted between neurons, it will create problems in the thought, emotions and behaviours. The chemicals transmitting signals between neurons are called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters play a significant role in mind disorders are GABA, GLUTAMATE, SEROTONIN, NOR-ADRENALINE, ACETYLCHOLINE and DOPAMINE.

For example, a hyperdopaminergic state in the brain causes a broad spectrum of mind disorder called psychosis.

– Dr Anandhan panneerselvam.

January 2005