Mental disorders are brain disorders: You think?

Abstract

Recent years have seen an explosion of biologically based studies, interventions, and explanations for most mental disorders. Indeed, the mantra that mental disorders are brain disorders is frequently stated and certainly is at least partially true. Yet, the current landslide of information, produced with new extraordinary technologies, has resulted in limited clarity. The area of mental disorders remains laden with deficient, contradictory, and unproven explanations and treatments. One common rationale for this state is the failure to translate new scientific findings into practise. A more defensible and encompassing explanation focuses on the very basic conceptualizations and definitions of these disorders. Patently powerful methodologies can be no better or worse than the clarity of the problems under study. Numerous examples of definitional and diagnostic problems exist that have led to the lack of clarity and application of research findings. Alternative research strategies are discussed with a focus on the high-risk paradigm. A series of studies of a single characteristic of individuals at risk for problems with alcohol is presented.