All mental illnesses involve problems with the brain to some extent, as they are disorders affecting the mind and behavior. The brain is the central organ responsible for cognition, emotions, and behavior. However, some mental illnesses may not have apparent structural abnormalities or physical brain damage, at least not on current imaging technologies.
One example is "Functional Neurological Disorder" (FND), previously known as Conversion Disorder. FND is a condition in which individuals experience neurological symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific organic or structural brain disorder. Instead, the symptoms are thought to arise from problems with the functioning of the nervous system.
Other examples include:
Somatoform Disorders: These are a group of disorders in which individuals experience physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation. Examples include somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder.
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES): These are seizures that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. Instead, they are thought to have a psychological origin.
Psychosomatic Disorders: These conditions involve physical symptoms that are influenced or exacerbated by psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety.
Dissociative Disorders: These are conditions where individuals experience disruptions in memory, identity, consciousness, or perception. An example is Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder).
It's important to note that while these conditions may not involve structural brain abnormalities visible on imaging, they are still considered mental illnesses and can have significant impacts on a person's well-being and daily functioning. Mental health professionals use a comprehensive approach, including psychological and social factors, to understand and treat these conditions. The brain's functional aspects, such as neural pathways and connections, play a crucial role in the development and manifestation of these mental health conditions.