Biological psychiatry

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Biological Psychiatry

Biological psychiatry or biopsychiatry is a branch of psychiatry where the focus is chiefly on researching and understanding the biological basis of mental disorders. This field attempts to understand mental disorders in terms of the biological function of the nervous system. It is interdisciplinary in its approach and draws on sciences such as neuroscience, psychopharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, and physiology to investigate the biological bases of behavior and psychopathology.

Pronunciation: /ˌbʌɪəʊlɒdʒɪkəl saɪˈkaɪətri/

Etymology: The term "biological psychiatry" was first used in the late 20th century to differentiate it from other forms of psychiatry, particularly psychoanalysis. "Biological" refers to the focus on the physical and life sciences, while "psychiatry" comes from the Greek words psyche (soul) and iatros (healer).

Related Terms

  • Neuroscience: The scientific study of the nervous system.
  • Psychopharmacology: The study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.
  • Biochemistry: The branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.
  • Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
  • Physiology: The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

See Also

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