The concepts of self-organization, state changes, and energy flow are central to dynamicsystems theory. In this work I suggest that to apply these general principles to the study of normaland abnormal development, these constructs must be specifically defined in reference to currentknowledge of brain development. Toward that end, I present an overview of the properties ofself-organizing developmental systems, and then propose a model of attachment dynamics assynchronized energy exchanges that cocreate nonlinear changes of state, discuss the roles ofbioamines and energy-generating brain mitochondria in state regulation, and describe theenergy-dependent imprinting of synaptic connectivity and neural circuitry in the infant brain. Inthis application of nonlinear concepts to developmental models of both resistance against andvulnerability to mental disorders, particular emphasis is placed upon the experience-dependentmaturation of a system in the orbital prefrontal cortex that regulates psychobiological state andorganismic energy balance. This frontolimbic system is expanded in the nonlinear righthemisphere that generates stress-regulating coping strategies, and it serves as the hierarchicalapex of the limbic and autonomic nervous systems. Early forming microstructural alterations andenergetic limitations of this regulatory system are suggested to be associated with apredisposition to psychiatric disorders.