Major Depressive Research Essay

Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.

This paper will focus on depressive disorders, and it will describe what they are, how they manifest themselves, what causes them and/or what makes certain individuals susceptible to the disorder as compared to others. This piece will also describe the most common treatment practices, and the effectiveness of these treatments. It will conclude by offering some testimonials from individuals who suffer from depressive disorders as well as some additional commentary about depressive disorders and their implications/challenges.

Experts believe bipolar disorder is caused by an underlying problem with specific brain circuits and the balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters (WebMD). There are five brain chemicals noradrenaline (norepinephrine), serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphin. Noradrenaline and serotonin are the most common chemicals linked to psychiatric mood disorders such as depression and bipolar (WebMD). Dopamine is linked to the pleasure system in the brain (WebMD). When a disruption happens to the dopamine system connects to psychosis and schizophrenia (WebMD). If there is too much dopamine in one place, it can cause psychosis. Dopamine motivates us (Deans, 2011). Dopamine is linked to everything, metabolism, evolution, and the brain (Dean, 2011). Serotonin is connected to many different body functions including sleep, wakefulness, eating and impulsivity (WebMD). Researchers believe that abnormal brain functioning of brain circuits that involve serotonin as a chemical messenger contributes to mood disorders (WebMD). Oxytocin is a hormone commonly associated with childbirth and breastfeeding. Oxytocin plays a critical role in social and emotional behavior. Oxytocin increases the susceptibility to feeling fearful and anxious during stressful events (NWU, 2013).

“Recent data estimate the overall prevalence of depression at about 11.1% of the American population, or nearly 35 million individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). A predictive models suggest that up to 50% of the population will experience at least one episode of depression during their lives” (Life Extension, 2014). Depression has negatively affected the lives of many individuals throughout the world. Look around you there may even be someone close to you that is demonstrating signs of its stifling affects. Depression does not discriminate with its suffocating

On October 29, 1929 an invention that so many people’s lives and saving crashed. The stock market. William Foshay never expected it to take effect when he created such a reality, but with this crash, it ruined lives. People were homeless. Foodless. Moneyless. Jobless. With such troubled times, it certainly did bring out the best and the worst in people. There aren't as many people to tell their stories anymore. But we can tell them from remembrance of them. Here’s a story of people who did obtain the best and the worst lives, and everyone in betwixt.

This essay will discuss the biological and psychological aspects of depressive disorders, the focus is on depressive disorders as opposed to bipolar disorders in the mood disorders category as depressive disorders are more prevalent in society with one fifth of the population exhibiting symptoms (The British Psychological Association, 2013) compared to bipolar disorders which 1%-1.5% of the population are affected by (The British Psychological Association, 2010). In particular this essay will look at the biological model of depression in particular the influence of the neurotransmitter serotonin (Young & Leyton, 2002) in both the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders and also the cognitive model (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979) which

Most antidepressants are supposed to work by reducing the elimination of certain substances from the brain. These substances are called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine). The neurotransmitter is needed for regular brain tasks and is involved in the control of mood and in other responses and meanings, such as eating,

The aim of antidepressants is to increase the levels of the neurotransmitter which are chemicals, they are produced in the brain. The antidepressants targets and increases the levels of three types of neurotransmitters; (A neurotransmitter is a chemical which is released in the brain which allows the messages to travel.) serotonin (this neurotransmitter regulates the other neurotransmitter) and noradrenaline (noradrenaline is compulsory for energy, anxiety, alertness and attention to life) and dopamine (this

Genetic predisposition is an important part of the formation of mental illnesses. Mental illnesses and depression often onset early in life due to the amount of stress and genetic predisposition. Specifically, the SERT gene regulates serotonin in the body (Parks 30). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood, behavior, and memory. A neurotransmitter helps to relay messages to other areas of the body through neurons, nerve cells, that are placed throughout the body. A neurotransmitter either inhibits or excites messages through the body, such as pain or other feelings. The brain produces serotonin, which is then spread throughout the body via the blood vessels. According to David Myers, the formula for depression is a traumatic or important life stressor plus a "variation on a serotonin-controlling gene" (Myers 10). When serotonin production is imbalanced, sleep problems and irritability have a high chance of occurring, which are linked to the onset of depression. Low serotonin levels trigger depression after a traumatic event occurs (Parks 30). When the SERT gene is mutated, the risk for depression increases. Variations in neurotransmitters and the genes that produce them, especially serotonin and the SERT gene, lead to the development of depression when serotonin production is imbalanced or

Evidence shows that Major Depression Disorder has been around four thousands of years. In the fourth century BC, Hippocrates referred to a group of symptoms including loss of appetite, insomnia, flat affect, and irritability as melancholia (Jackson). Taking accountability of melancholia appeared in ancient Mesopotamian texts in the second millennium B.C. At this time, any mental illness had something to do with the demons. It had to be checked by the priests. The first time that there was an understanding of depression it was truly considered more of a spiritual illness caused by demons rather than a physical illness. Ancient Greeks and Romans put taught about the causes of melancholia. For example in the 5th

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. It’s more than just feeling down or sad in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can increase the risk of many health problems, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide. The disease must be given more attention and treated as a global public health priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.6 percent of people over the age of 12 have depression in any 2-week period. Depression is also the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain,according to a review of research.

"Men pray to the gods for health and they ignore that it is in their power to have it."

(3) While successful drug therapies which act on neurotransmitters in the brain imply that depression is a neurobiological condition (4), the fact that such medications do not help about 20 percent of depression-sufferers seems to show that not all depression is due to such imbalances. Rather, depression is not caused by one single factor; it is most often caused by many different things. Genetics, biochemical factors, medicines and alcohol, developmental and other external factors, and relationships, marriage and children all have effect on the development of clinical depression. (5) The strongest hypotheses on the pathways to depression are in decreases in the activity of specific neurotransmitters, or the overactivity of certain hormonal systems. (3)

Demographic attributes and psychopathology might add to self-destructive conduct, yet practices can likewise be impacted by interpersonal connections in particular settings (e.g., family) and more extensive social settings (e.g., working environments and neighborhoods). Dangerous variables for suicide might be ethnically remarkable relying upon social qualities, convictions, and standards. In this manner, a more profound comprehension of suicide in Asian Americans past demographics and psychopathology is crucial. Many Asian Americans do not ask for help, as it is looked on as “weak” in their society. Asian Americans are less likely to publically acknowledge their personal and/or psychological problems. They are also less likely to rely on any sort of mental health services. Instead, many are more likely to rely on culturally acceptable traditions of discipline and family order as a way to solve their underlying mental issues, such as depression (Lam, 2014).Journalist, Katherine Kam reported that “Family conflicts and academic failure loom large, but some have a family history of depression, which might make them genetically vulnerable.” She also states that “it doesn’t help that Asian parents, more than other groups, often reject professional diagnoses of their children’s depression and mental health. They fear that any mental problems will reflect badly on their son or daughter, as well as tarnish their entire lineage” (Lam, 2014). Many immigrants come from countries where mental illness is considered a low priority in the health care world. Treatments for mental health issues in many of these countries are nonexistent, and they believe people should over-come their problems on their own, through self-discipline and their own will power (Lam, 2014). When Asian Americans fall into illnesses such as depression, they are more likely to neglect and

Major Depressive Disorder or MDD is a very common clinical condition that affects millions of people every year. According to the Agency for Health Care Policy & Research, “ depression is under diagnosed & untreated by most medical doctors, despite the fact that it can almost always be treated successfully.