In his book Grace for the Afflicted, neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Stanford discusses the major DSM-5 diagnoses, and gives a brief overview of the factors involved in their development and manifestation — including the neuroanatomy and neurochmestry of each disorder.
For example, here’s a bit of the neuroanatomy associated with depressive disorders.
“Neuroimaging studies have identified several brain structures that are dysfunctional in individuals diagnosed with depressive disorders.
Two of these structures, the amygdala and the subgenual anterior cortex (subgenual ACC), are part of what is called the limbic system. The amygdala is involved in emotionally mediated attention, in assigning emotional significance to stimuli…..the subgenual ACC appears to mediate the subjective experience of emotion.
In depressed individuals these two structures have been found to be overactivated.”
And so on.
Then he talks about the neurochemistry:
“Dysregulation in two neurotransmitters systems, norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT), appear to be involved in the depressive disorders.
Studies have consistently found decreased levels of 5-HT and NE in depressive individuals …. abnormal regulation of this network [limbic-cortical network] results in the symptoms of the depressive disorder, heightened levels of anxiety and irritability, an inability to experience pleasure, excessive worry, and a lack of emotional control.”
Of course he then goes into much further detail.
The book takes a brief scientific look at bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, dementia, cerebrovascular accidents, and traumatic brain injury.
And yes, there are verifiable scientific manifestations and explanations for all of these.
The Christian church has needed a book like this for a long time.
