The human being is a ‘social animal’, programmed by evolution to interact with others. This is probably why social relationships can shape the brain. Consequently, loneliness, isolation or the presence of toxic friendships, especially during the delicate phase of adolescence, can increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and lead to substance use.
The Italian psychiatrists gathered today in Bormio on the occasion of the XXV national conference “Social brain. Evolutionary trajectories and pathology” are putting the spotlight on the so-called ‘social brain’. Over 50 reports and symposiums, around 200 experts from various psychiatric or psychiatry-related disciplines.
Teenagers, because a diagnosis of depression shouldn’t be scary
by Giancarlo Dimaggio
The social brain
“The social brain is one of our main resources for overcoming the challenges posed by the environment and finds its basis in the relational abilities of the human being, according to an evolutionary perspective of the study of the mind, human nature and social interactions – he explains Emi Bondi, co-president of the conference and of the Italian Society of Psychiatry as well as director of the mental health department at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo -. Refined neuroimaging techniques on humans in vivo allow us to document the continuous interaction between environmental events and communication on the one hand and brain plasticity on the other, in a continuous dialogue with different health outcomes starting from distress situations or vice versa more harmonious growth. The brain develops in the context of relationships. The people around us play a significant role in regulating our emotional and social behavior.”
I study
According to a study on 23,500 children aged between 10 and 12, conducted by Fudan University in China and published in the journal eLife, friendships are crucial during the transition from late childhood to adolescence. In this phase the brain develops a lot and children, if isolated, are more likely to develop forms of anxiety and depression. Researchers also identified the “perfect” number of close friends to have, 5, which is linked to better academic performance and better overall mental health. But it’s not just the quantity, but also the quality of relationships.
Social isolation and domestic violence
“In addition to social isolation, abuse in developmental age as well as the dynamics of domestic violence also produce negative repercussions on individual and societal well-being – highlights Claudio Mencacci, the other co-president of the conference, and director emeritus of Neuroscience at the Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital in Milan -. And they are also precursors of the intergenerational transmission of unfavorable behavioral patterns. All of this points to a problematic relationship with mental health that increases victims’ chances of developing a variety of psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, psychosis, but also suicidal ideation, self-harm and attempted suicide”.
According to specialists, it is therefore essential not to underestimate the relational aspect in a teenager’s life, paying close attention to the relationships they establish on social media.
“We are faced with a crucial public health issue that calls for mental health professionals and services of all age groups to guarantee prevention and assistance for populations at risk”, concludes Emi Bondi.
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– 2024-04-11 11:00:34
