Review: The mental processes that allow us humans to live beside and with other humans are extremely complex. Our brains have become highly specialized for processing all manner of social stimulation (relationship formation, social learning, decision-making, etc.) The result is that we have developed a “social brain.”
However, “high complexity may also be associated with a high susceptibility to several pathogenic interventions.” Social deficits can be the “first signs of a number of … disorders” and may occur long before the onset of other symptoms.
Similar kinds of deficits in social behaviors have been observed in a whole range of disorders including schizophrenia, Autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Major Depressive Disorder.
These inappropriate social behaviors happening over and over again can result in withdrawal from social situations … which, in turn, makes any psychiatric symptoms worse.
Go to the source — Social brain, social dysfunction and social withdrawal (Stefano Porcelli, et al, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, February 2019).
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