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Psychosis as an Evolutionary Adaptive Mechanism to Changing Environments
Floortje E Scheepers1, Jos de Mul2, Frits Boer3
1Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|June 21, 2018
Summary
Psychotic disorders may be evolutionary adaptations, not illnesses. Stress and brain vulnerabilities can trigger symptoms, leading to social exclusion, suggesting a focus on prevention.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychotic disorders persist in the human population despite reducing fecundity.
- Their evolutionary persistence raises questions about their adaptive value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose that psychotic symptoms are an adaptive phenomenon, not solely an illness.
- To explore how brain vulnerabilities and stressors can lead to uncontrolled symptoms and social exclusion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing research on psychotic disorders.
- Examination of evolutionary, environmental, and neurobiological factors.
Main Results:
- The definitive etiology of psychotic disorders remains elusive, with inconsistent findings.
- Strong evidence links psychosis to stressful environmental factors, especially social stressors.
- Symptoms may represent a defense mechanism against stressful environments, particularly during adolescence.
Conclusions:
- Psychotic symptoms could be an evolutionarily maintained phenomenon.
- Future research should focus on underlying brain vulnerabilities and preventing social exclusion rather than solely on psychotic symptoms.
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