Mechanisms in manic-depressive disorder: an evolutionary model. 1982

R Gardner

Characteristics of mania describe individuals who are human counterparts of "alpha" members of nonhuman species. Depressive characteristics described low rank or "omega" persons. These similarities provided initial support for a model of manic-depressive disorder that hypothesizes these bipolar states to be (1) basically identical to an organismic state also experienced by persons at the corresponding extremes of social rank, (2) triggered unusually easily and maintained unusually rigorously in spite of social reality (in contrast to those for whom the organismic state and social reality are congruent), and (3) genetically transmitted via mechanisms that enhance this ease of onset and rigidity of maintenance (v mechanisms presumed to be state specific). This theoretic model defines some illness components as variations of normal states, others as pathologic, and still others as reactive. This conception may guide investigative work with experimental animals.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008960 Models, Psychological Theoretical representations that simulate psychological processes and/or social processes. These include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Model, Mental,Model, Psychological,Models, Mental,Models, Psychologic,Psychological Models,Mental Model,Mental Models,Model, Psychologic,Psychologic Model,Psychologic Models,Psychological Model
D010551 Personality Behavior-response patterns that characterize the individual. Personalities
D003142 Communication The exchange or transmission of ideas, attitudes, or beliefs between individuals or groups. Miscommunication,Misinformation,Social Communication,Communication Programs,Communications Personnel,Personal Communication,Communication Program,Communication, Personal,Communication, Social,Communications, Social,Miscommunications,Misinformations,Personnel, Communications,Program, Communication,Programs, Communication,Social Communications
D005010 Ethology The discipline pertaining to the study of animal behavior.
D005075 Biological Evolution The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics. Evolution, Biological
D005260 Female Females
D005824 Genetics, Behavioral The experimental study of the relationship between the genotype of an organism and its behavior. The scope includes the effects of genes on simple sensory processes to complex organization of the nervous system. Psychogenetics,Behavioral Genetics
D006127 Group Structure The informal or formal organization of a group of people based on a network of personal relationships which is influenced by the size and composition, etc., of the group. Group Structures,Structure, Group,Structures, Group

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