Posted by linkadge on November 28, 2021, at 6:59:52
In reply to Believing or not, posted by undopaminergic on October 19, 2021, at 8:20:31
Mood congruent delusions may be due to natural fluctuations in dopamine (or other neurotransmitters). There is brain circuitry for confidence, and circuitry for doubt. Both are necessary for an accurate appraisal of ones situation. Excessive (unrealistic) confidence is not in anybody's best interest. With a balanced mood, somebody can make the best decisions about their optimal strategies for success. Being overly optimistic or pessimistic distorts this decision making process. With depression, there may be an acetylcholine dominance, leading to 'overthinking' of every possibility and the inability to act.
I have a feeling that improved brain connectivity can buffer (to some extent) the effect of monoamine fluctuations. Healthy people may (say) 'feel' stupid from time to time, but they probably don't believe it to their core. People with depression genuinely believe that they are worthless.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:1117301
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20211102/msgs/1117551.html