In this chapter you will learn
 

• The characteristics and probable causes of schizophrenia
• How heredity and environment interact to produce disorders
• What the affective disorders are and their causes
• The symptoms and causes of the anxiety disorders

This chapter deals with the most intriguing subject in biological psychology: that of psychological disorders.  While many students will be familiar with schizophrenia, affective disorders and anxiety disorders from other courses, this chapter will provide an understanding of the neural bases of these disorders.  The first topic is schizophrenia, with explanations of the demographics, symptoms, and genetic and environmental causes.  This is followed by a discussion of the neural bases: excessive dopamine, insufficient glutamate, and problems during development. The chapter then delves into the demographics, symptoms, and causes of affective disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorders.  The brain areas and neurotransmitters implicated in these disorders are explained, with an emphasis on treatment options and causal factors.  The book stresses the risk of suicide while on antidepressants. The chapter concludes with anxiety, panic disorder, phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, OCD, hoarding, and Tourette’s syndrome, with an emphasis on anomalies in neurotransmitter systems and brain activity.