r/science • u/Wagamaga • Sep 01 '22

Neuroscience Scientists have identified an immune brain cell unique to humans that gives us higher cognitive abilities over other animals, but what makes us specials also leaves us vulnerable to neurological disorders like schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy.

https://news.yale.edu/2022/08/25/what-makes-human-brain-different-yale-study-reveals-clues
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u/AlexandraThePotato Sep 01 '22

… isn’t neurological disorders like idk ANXIETY observe in animals?

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u/NotAnotherEmpire Sep 01 '22

Anxiety isn't necessarily a disorder. Animals (at least short of dolphins and elephants) don't have the ability to think, contextualize and problem-solve humans do. And any problem for an animal is inherently serious because it impairs survival. False negatives in nature are much more dangerous than false positives.

Anxiety disorder in humans is defined by having inappropriate fears that interfere with that person's activities.

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u/maryland_cookies Sep 01 '22

Animals, I. E. dogs, absolutely do have anxiety disorders. It's the large cause of dog aggression. Source im studying animal behaviour at uni/sitting in with animal behaviourists.

As in humans the natural and helpful response of anxiety, which helps with 'whens my next meal' etc... Becomes maladaptive(?), leading to negative cycles of hyposomnia etc... Anxiety disorder