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Addiction, Addiction, Depression, Poverty And Mental Illness?

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Addiction, Depression, Poverty and Mental Illness; Doomed by Epigenetics Similar to other causality dilemmas, the question of which comes first: poverty, low SES, or mental instability, is discussed when modeling the development of psychological problems in human beings. Low socioeconomic status (SES), a marker dependent on income level, education and occupation, is often used interchangeably to title poor individuals as well as those with psychological health issues. Factors such as stress, negative environment, low quality of living, exposure to noise pollution and violence can all lead to bad health problems and play a role in the development of mental illnesses. Often, it is assumed that a positive family history for mental illness is one of the strongest predictors of the future development of depression and other psychological issues. Yet, we have an understanding that not all individuals with this risk factor later suffer from depression. From a biological stand point, one’s biological brain functions can also be another considerable co-factor for mental development. The highlighted biological mechanism researchers focus on is epigenetic modification, specifically methylation of gene regulatory regions, in parts of the brain. The amygdala, the portion of the brain that deals with one’s emotion behavior, and motivation, undergoes various biological mechanisms that later in turn shape that brain and other processes in this region. Serotonin, a hormonal product

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