Liz Thornell

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors

27 April 2017

Real World Narrative

Neuroradiology encompasses the practice of using machinery and scanners to create

images of the brain. It is a more specific branch of neurology that deals with the physical aspect

of mental disabilities. However, there are physical attributes and symptoms that can contribute to

ailments such as mental illness, including depression and anxiety. A neurologist may also

observe chemical imbalances and other abnormalities within the brain that coincide with the

symptoms of mental illness. Neuroradiology is particularly interesting in the fact that it covers

many different parts that contribute to disorders in relation to the brain, such as chemistry,

psychological, and physiological factors. Therefore, I decided to do my service hours on the

relationship between brain chemistry and mental illness to get a better understanding of what a

neuroradiologist could potentially encounter on the job.

When I first had to decide what to do for my service hours, I had initially planned to

shadow a neuroradiologist at the local hospital. However, the state of South Carolina only has 3

neuroradiologists, a fact that surprised me. I realized that neuroradiologists, despite their extreme

importance in diagnosing and treating potentially life-threatening conditions, are not well known

until a person experiences symptoms for which their regular physician will have to refer them to

one. Due to this apparent shortage of neuroradiologists, I decided to research the physical aspect

of mental illnesses. As a person who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, I knew that these

illnesses are not solely based on emotions and can be attributed to abnormal brain chemistry. For
example, mental illnesses, such as depression, can arise from a lack of serotonin. Therefore, I

interviewed 8 different people suffering from mental illnesses and found out what medicine they

take and how that affects their brain chemistry or lack thereof. The majority of the people I

interviewed suffering from depression were taking serotonin-based antidepressants. I also

observed that the age range from 16 to 20 had the highest prevalence of both anxiety and

depression. This was interesting to me and made me realize that there is a need for

neuroradiologists in the area if so many teenagers were experiencing depression- and anxiety-

related symptoms.

After interviewing these people, I discovered that the most common antidepressants and

anxiety relief medicines included Xanax, Cymbalta, Zoloft, and Prozac. All of these focus on

targeting the serotonin inhibiting areas of the brain and add the necessary serotonin to the

patients brain chemistry, thereby assisting them in combating suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These interviews have opened my eyes to the apparent endemic of mental illnesses in teens

today. There is a need in our area for neuroradiologists, neurologists, and other professionals who

can give assistance to those suffering from conditions such as depression. I have decided to raise

awareness about this prevalence in illness and I will do so by creating posters containing

information about local psychiatrists and other aid, such as the suicide prevention hotline. My

project has opened my eyes to the types of illnesses a neuroradiologist may encounter and has

helped me realize that this is the type of profession I would like to pursue during my college

career.