title: Switch from distress to well-being by strong emotions: Speculations on three clinical vignettes.
abstract: Starting from three clinical vignettes representing two mental disorders and different approaches to their treatment, we ask whether and how an unexpected event occurring at a particular time in a person's life could provoke such strong emotions as to determine a sudden transition from a state of severe distress to one of well-being. In this transition, we postulate that a major role is played by biological tendencies and brain plasticity under the influence of psychotherapy and positive emotions, emotions--especially trust, the sense of being cared for, and falling in love--that are awakened by openness to novelty and to the Other. Neurobiologically, a sudden improvement could be ascribed to an oxytocinergic action that, combined with dopaminergic circuits, can restore a state of well-being, safe attachment, and gratification.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Malcantonese, 6980, Castelrotto, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calanchini
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: clinical cases; oxytocinergic and dopaminergic circuits; positive emotions