Based on Selye's theory of stress the authors propose a model of psychopathology in which psychological stress, vulnerability to stress, and psychological defenses mediated by various brain neurotransmitters interact to produce psychiatric symptomatology. Acute psychiatric symptoms are viewed as a stage of a general psychological stress syndrome set in motion by psychological defenses mediated by overactivity or underactivity of brain neurotransmitters, whereas chronic psychiatric symptoms are regarded as disorders of psychological adaptation resulting from operation of psychological defenses beyond their emergency function.
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