Current opinion in psychiatry
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Mar 2007
ReviewAre somatoform disorders 'mental disorders'? A contribution to the current debate.
During the last 2 years, a debate has started over whether the somatoform symptoms/medically unexplained symptoms are wrongly placed under the category of mental disorders (section F in International classification of diseases-10 and in Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders-IV). ⋯ The classification of somatoform disorders as 'mental disorders' could be justified if empirically founded psychological and behavioural characteristics are included into the classification process. Attention focusing, symptom catastrophizing, and symptom expectation are outlined as possible examples of involved psychological processes.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Mar 2007
ReviewNeuroendocrine mechanisms of stress and social interaction: implications for mental disorders.
The purpose of the present review is to consider further evidence for the role of neuroendocrine mechanisms in mental disorders by focusing on recent trends and advances in the field of psychoneuroendocrinology. ⋯ Neuroendocrine systems relevant to behavior clearly demonstrate their impact for the field of psychiatry. Further neuroendocrine research provides insight into the origins of mental disorders both from an etiological perspective and an interventional perspective.