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Psychoneuroendocrinological contributions to the etiology of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and stress-related bodily disorders: the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Journal article

Psychoneuroendocrinological contributions to the etiology of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and stress-related bodily disorders: the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.

  • Ehlert U Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurichbergstrasse 43, CH-8044, Zurich, Switzerland. ehlertu@klipsy.unizh.ch
  • Gaab J
  • Heinrichs M
  • 2001-07-17
Published in:
  • Biological psychology. - 2001
Arousal
Depressive Disorder
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
Humans
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Somatoform Disorders
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
English Following the assumption that stressors play an important part in the etiology and maintenance of psychiatric disorders, it is necessary to evaluate parameters reflecting stress-related physiological reactions. Results from these examinations may help to deepen the insight into the etiology of psychiatric disorders and to elucidate diagnostic uncertainties. One of the best-known stress-related endocrine reactions is the hormonal release of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Dysregulations of this axis are associated with several psychiatric disorders. Profound hyperactivity of the HPA-axis has been found in melancholic depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders. In contrast, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress-related bodily disorders like idiopathic pain syndromes, and chronic fatigue syndrome seem to be associated with diminished HPA activity (lowered activity of the adrenal gland). Hypotheses referring to (a) the psychophysiological meaning and (b) the development of these alterations are discussed.
Language
  • English
Open access status
closed
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/219156
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