What Is Biological Psychiatry?

Biological psychiatry is both a modern phenomenon and a view that has existed for many years. In the present, psychiatrists know that many mental illnesses have a biological component. However, there are a few differences between regular and biological psychiatry, lying in this specialty's philosophy, goals, and approach to addressing mental health symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about biological psychiatry and how a specialist in this field might help you with specific challenges you may be facing. 

What is biological psychiatry? 

Physical sciences that can contribute to biological psychiatry include psychiatric neuroscience, psychopharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, and genetics. 

Biological psychiatry emphasizes the connection between brain functions and behaviors. Studies often explore how physical factors can cause mental health disorders. As a result, for those who practice biological psychiatry, psychotropic medications and other medical interventions may play a significant role in treating mental illness.

How biological psychiatry studies the brain

Biological psychiatry often studies the brain through various techniques from:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Psychopharmacology

With neuroimaging, biological psychiatry may look at brain architecture and various cognitive processes to better understand the relationship between brain processes and social behavior.  

Developmental biology and mental health

Some specialists in biological psychiatry may study prenatal life and early development. Critical developmental windows may have lasting effects on a person’s brain development and, therefore, on their mental health. 

Outside of the prenatal period, some biological psychiatrists may study the effects of motional gonadal hormone receptors on the brain during early adolescence. Testicular and ovarian hormones can play a role in brain development in adolescents, which makes them of particular interest to those who study the biological psychology of this group. 

Tools for biological psychiatry

Biological psychiatry uses various tools to inspire theories, conduct research, and diagnose mental illnesses, including the following:

Mathematics 

Mathematical advances in theoretical physics have significantly impacted the study of mental health disorders. As the use of findings to compute various effects and develop theories based on those results becomes more ingrained in the scientific community, many biological psychiatrists are moving towards using in their field.

Computational models have already been used to develop theories related to:

• Learning
• Emotions
• Dopamine signaling
• Information processing

Health records

Electronic health records are used to discover the biological bases of various mental conditions. Earlier, symptoms were identified using doctors' notes in electronic records. However, more recently, scientists have developed ways of finding sets of symptoms and the dimensions of the symptoms to present a more comprehensive view of the patient's situation automatically. 

The case-control method

Some biological psychiatry researchers use case-control to study the link between mental health and biological factors. This method compares the case files of a person with a mental health disorder with those of a person without one. Its goal is to understand the natural differences between individual cases of mental health disorders and the differences between those with and without a mental illness. 

Genetics

As more resources become available, there may be an uptick in the number of studies that target genetics and mental health. Biological psychiatry is one of the fields that may pursue research of this sort, particularly due to its focus on how the structure and function of the brain can influence symptoms.

Advanced neuroimaging technology

As medical testing advances, new ways of assessing brain changes and viewing brain function are becoming available. Some studies use functional MRI (fMRI) to look at the brain and correlate brain function to brain biology. Neuroimaging can help researchers continue to make connections between an individual’s changing mental state and fluctuating activity levels in specific regions of the brain. 

Research domain criteria

Since the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was released by the American Psychiatric Association in 1952, psychiatrists have referred to it and its subsequent editions when diagnosing mental disorders. More recently, the National Institute of Mental Health has begun to develop the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC).

This research framework is designed to help researchers explore mental illnesses while considering biological factors. The DSM-5 and other diagnostic tools are often essential to the mental health field. However, the Research Domain Criteria publication offers a view of mental health disorders that may be more compatible with biological psychiatry.

Biological psychiatry's understanding of the bases for specific mental health disorders

Breakthroughs in biological psychiatry research have uncovered biological bases for a wide range of mental disorders. With the new emphasis on healthy brain function, more research may follow the same trends. Below are some of the most significant discoveries that have come about in recent decades related to the connection between biology and mental health.

Bipolar disorder 

Research on the basis of bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder, two individual subsets of bipolar disorder, has indicated that bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder, as it was initially argued. Instead, those with bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder were found to have different genetic makeups. While the genetic factors that may lead to each disorder are typically similar, the overlap of the genetic code is partial.

Additionally, the occurrence of bipolar I disorder was more likely in families who had schizophrenia. This factor has not been found to be true for bipolar II disorder. While these two disorders are related, they are more distinct than initially assumed.

Schizophrenia

In a recent study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, researchers found that the gene groups associated with schizophrenia can in the brain. If these genes are altered, the neurons behave differently. This biological factor may be essential in discovering the causes of schizophrenia and devising medical treatments for it.

Depression

A new study conducted at the University of Warwick, UK—also published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging—used neuroimaging to discover links between changes in the brain's reward and memory systems and depression. Further research must be conducted to uncover which brain regions are involved in losing happiness and pleasure.

General risk for psychiatric disorders

One study found a biological risk factor for various mental health disorders. The connectivity between the visual centers of the brain and the centers used for complex thoughts was different in people with mental health disorders than in those without. This research may inspire new prevention techniques for at-risk individuals.

How can biological psychiatry help?

Biological psychiatry can potentially help people with mental illness now and in the future. Below are a few benefits of a biological approach to mental health treatment. 

Prevention

By delivering clues about the causes and risk factors of mental health conditions, biological psychiatry research may open the door to more effective prevention techniques. As medical testing for mental illness advances, more people may be able to know they're at risk before symptoms appear, which might allow biological psychiatrists to treat mild concerns before they become serious. 

Finding an effective psychiatric medication 

Medications are often used to treat symptoms of mental illness. However, treatment with psychiatric drugs is often subject to trial and error. As the aims and scope of biological psychiatry progress and expand, finding the proper medications for a specific person may become more approachable and specific. In some cases, advancements in this area have already been made, with some healthcare professionals being able to offer a genetic test to see which medications may be most effective for an individual. 

Treatment planning 

In clinical contexts, biological psychiatry can help mental health professionals accurately measure the efficacy of various treatment modalities. Although advances in the medical aspects of biological psychiatry may support medical treatments, non-biological treatments can also have a vital place in supporting those with a mental illness. A skilled psychiatrist can create a treatment plan that combines biological and psychological interventions to improve outcomes dramatically.

Learning from biological psychiatry research and the Society of Biological Psychiatry

In recent decades, details from an increasingly large number of studies have helped researchers better understand the biological bases for the treatment, causes, and symptoms of mental disorders. For example, biological psychiatry research from the past few years has provided insights into how mindfulness meditation works to reduce symptoms of certain mental disorders. Researchers in a study published in Biological Psychiatry—one of the most highly cited journals, according to details published by Clarivate—found that increases in awareness and decreases in rumination produced by mindfulness training were associated with decreased salience network connectivity. 

How biological psychiatry research is published and reviewed

Biological psychiatry research is typically published in peer-reviewed journals. First, an article is usually sent to a print or online publication (such as a mobile journal). Each journal may have its own process, but one common first step is for an editorial assistant to check that all materials are included, after which an editor reads the article and confers with an editorial team. This first editorial decision entails deciding whether to send article to reviewers. After the first decision, when the journal receives the peer-reviewed document from the reviewers, the editorial team decides whether to decline to publish the article or request changes of the editor prior to publication. Peer-reviewed documents published appear online and/or in print in the most current issue, with the issue download started according to the timeline of each journal. 

Understanding impact factor and citations

In both behavioral psychiatry and other academic fields, journals are often assessed by a metric called impact factor. The impact factor measures the citation counts, specifically the average number of times that a journal’s articles have been cited in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) in the last two years. For example, an impact factor of 3 means that a journal’s articles published in the last two years have been cited an average of three times. 

Instead of using impact factor, some researchers may use CiteScore values, which typically assesses impact over four preceding years. This measure typically includes citations of articles and book chapters published in the same four years (i.e., same four calendar years). 

The average citations received by a journal may help researchers in biological psychiatry and other fields find sources with the most reliable research. However, sometimes it may be influenced by widely spread articles in a particular year. Researchers might consider each journal citation and the value of each article before making decisions based solely on a journal’s impact score. 

Navigating a mental health disorder with online therapy

Despite the increasing knowledge of the biological processes of mental disorders, psychology is an essential factor in mental health and well-being. Coping with thoughts and behaviors through therapy may continue to be a core part of treatment in the long term. If you're seeking support or guidance, talking to a therapist may help you determine what treatment you might benefit from. In addition, you don't need a mental illness to receive support. 

If you face barriers to in-person therapy, such as a lack of insurance, low income, or difficult-to-reach options in your area, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can be an effective way to receive support. By choosing online therapy, you can get matched with a therapist specializing in your unique concerns. In addition, you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your provider. Online therapy through BetterHelp is typically more affordable than traditional in-person therapy, and a growing number of providers now accept insurance (state-limited). 

A recent review of studies focused on online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) found it could be significantly effective in treating:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Other mental disorders

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.