Shadow Pulse 9

 What We Can Learn from the Psychology of Fungi Fungi are often seen as simple organisms, but they are actually capable of a wide range of complex behaviors. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the psychology of fungi, and researchers are beginning to uncover the rich inner lives of these fascinating organisms. Here are some of the things we can learn from the psychology of fungi: The importance of communication: Fungi communicate with each other using a variety of chemicals, including pheromones, antibiotics, and toxins. This communication is essential for fungi to survive and thrive. We can learn from fungi about the importance of communication in all relationships, both human and non-human. The power of learning and memory: Fungi are capable of learning and remembering. This allows them to adapt to their environment and make informed decisions. We can learn from fungi about the importance of lifelong learning and the power of memory (How Do Fungi Communica...

The Psychology of Fungi:  Fungi are often seen as simple organisms, but they are actually capable of a wide range of complex behaviors. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the psychology of fungi, and researchers are beginning to uncover the rich inner lives of these fascinating organisms. One area of research that has received a lot of attention is the way that fungi communicate.  Fungi use a variety of chemicals to communicate with each other, including pheromones, antibiotics, and toxins. These chemicals can be used to attract mates, defend against predators, or coordinate the activities of a group of fungi. Fungi are also capable of learning and memory. In one study, researchers trained mushrooms to associate a certain sound with a food reward. The mushrooms were then able to remember the sound and anticipate the food reward, even when the sound was presented in a different context. Fungi may even be capable of feeling emotions. In one study, researchers fo...

The Complex Interplay of Genetics, Environment, and Neural Plasticity in Brain Development and Psychiatric Disorders Neural plasticity: Is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to its environment. Neural plasticity is essential for : learning  memory  recovery from illness The brain is constantly changing and adapting. Existing neural circuits can be modified or new neural circuits can be generated. These changes can be beneficial or detrimental to the individual, depending on the nature of the change and the individual's circumstances.  While brain lesions can sometimes cause psychiatric symptoms, they are not the primary cause of most psychiatric disorders. Brain lesions are areas of damaged or diseased tissue in the brain. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, stroke, infection, and tumors. In some cases, brain lesions can cause psychiatric symptoms, such as mood swings, hallucinations, and delusions. However, brain lesions are not...

 Genetic Vulnerabilities Genes are long molecules of DNA present on chromosomes within a cell nucleus. Genes carry the information we inherit from our parents and exist in alternate forms called alleles. Most mental disorders show some genetic influence, with some influences apparent in newborns and children, while others manifest in adolescence or adulthood. Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes containing genetic materials that encode the hereditary plan for each individual. One copy of each chromosome comes from the mother and one from the father. Twenty-two chromosome pairs determine an individual’s general characteristics, while the remaining pair, the sex chromosomes, determines the individual’s sex (Hooley et al, 2019). (Hooley et al, 2019) Abnormalities in the structure or number of chromosomes can be associated with major defects or disorders. Anomalies may also occur in the sex chromosomes, producing complications that may predispose a person to develop abnorma...

What causes mental illness? : Biological perspective Factors such as genetics, neurobiology, and hormonal responses can influence psychopathology. Psychological perspective: Dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can lead to psychopathology. Sociocultural perspective Social and cultural factors can influence how we think about abnormal behavior. Many theorists recognize the need for a biopsychosocial viewpoint that acknowledges that biological, psychological, and social factors all interact and play a role in psychopathology and treatment (Hooley er al, 2019). References Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033    

 Understanding Dissociative Disorders Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve a disconnection between a person's thoughts, memories, identity, or sense of reality. This disconnection can manifest in a variety of ways, including memory loss, identity disturbance, and perceptual disturbances. Dissociative disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, genetics, and brain chemistry. The Concept of Dissociation The concept of dissociation was first promoted over a century ago by the French neurologist Pierre Janet. Dissociation can be defined as “a disruption of and/or discontinuity in the normal, subjective integration of one or more aspects of psychological functioning, including—but not limited to—memory, identity, consciousness, perception and motor control (Hooley et al, 2019). Dissociation is a normal mental process that everyone experiences from time to time. However, dissociation can become a mental health condition when i...

Factitious Disorder vs Malingering: Understanding the Differences Factitious disorder and malingering are two conditions that can be easily confused, but they have some key differences. In this blog post, we will explore these differences and provide some insight into these two conditions. What is Factitious Disorder? Factitious disorder is a condition in which a person intentionally produces or exaggerates physical or psychological symptoms, without any external rewards. In other words, the person is not motivated by any tangible external incentives such as avoiding work or military service, or evading criminal prosecution. Patients with factitious disorders may alter their own physiology in order to simulate real illnesses. For example, they may take drugs to produce symptoms. This can put them at risk for serious injury or death, and they may even need to be committed to an institution for their own protection. The prevalence of factitious disorder is not well established, but it is...