Clinical Psychology : Severe Depression

The article talks about how depression may be inherited and how people can become vulnerable to developing clinical depression. Related to the discussion of the causes of clinical depression is something called, "Risk factors" Essentially, all are at risk for developing a depressive illness.

Like symptoms, there are a variety of causes that can lead to depression. However, the main causes haven't been pinpointed, and are just speculated. Among these, biological factors are thought to be one of the main ones. Physical changes to the brain and hormonal imbalances are some major issues that could play a part biologically. Depression can also be passed genetically throughout your family, with even unborn babies at risk from getting it from their mother while in the

fact depression can also come from an environment. If a child's sibling is depressed, or a

Depression often runs in families, which suggest that individuals may inherit genes that make them vulnerable to developing depression (Kam,2009). Depressive and manic-depressive illnesses occur more frequently in particular families than in the population at large. Family members of a depressed person have a risk of approximately 20-25% of having the disease themselves. Offspring at high risk for the disorder often had anxiety problems as young children (Kam,2009). The sequence seems to be anxiety disorders, mostly phobias, before puberty. Then in adolescence you begin to see depression, and sometimes in late adolescence and early adulthood, especially in boys, you see substance abuse (Kam,2009)

The biological theory of depression focusing on genetics argues that shared DNA is the cause of depression so the more genes shared with a depressed family member, the more an individual’s likelihood to develop depression. Whereas psychological theories of depression, such as the cognitive negative schema, focus on how individuals perceive

Depression is a disorder that can be caused by many factors. Stress, medication, other medical illnesses, and personality traits can all contribute to depression, but the most common cause, however, is heredity (yahoo.com 1). These are all theorized guesses as to what causes clinical depression. The actual cause has not yet been resolved (yahoo.com 1). It is considered that usually more than one factor causes the disorder (yahoo.com 2).

Depression can best be explained by the biological perspective of psychology. The disorder is caused by changes in the brain’s neurotransmitters, chemicals that relay messages to the body from the brain.

Inherited traits, those who have immediate family members with dysthymic depression are more likely to develop it themselves.

Because of our somewhat limited understanding of the brain and its processes, it is not known for certain what causes depression; however, there are many theories. Many of these hypotheses are based upon synaptic transmission, the concentration of neurotransmitters (mainly serotonin and norepinephrine), and their transporters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit chemical signals from one neuron to the next. In a normal functioning system, neurotransmitters are synthesized in neurons from molecules called monoamines, and their release into the synaptic cleft is based on Ca+2. The neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft and will bind to G-protein coupled receptors on the membrane of the neighboring neuron, causing regulation of biological processes that have both short- and long-term effects on the brain. If any of the preceding steps are affected, depression may result.

When I was nine I went to a therapist for the first time, my diagnosis was not what I expected.

There are two transmitters; norepinephrine and serotonin. The low levels within this neutron transmitters can cause depression. Lastly, is brain anatomy and brain circuits. Researches believe the brain circuits can “trigger each other” and cause depression (Comer, pg. 191). There are three treatments within the biological model.

According to Morgan (2015), the neuroscience of depression has an emotional impact on many areas of the brain. The stressors in the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis initiate the release of the

The severity of depression has been supported through scientific evidence that indicates that depression has a biological basis in the brain of a depressed person along with psychological and social implications. Whilst there are many catalysts in a person’s life that can be identified as a possible root cause of depression, such as stressful life events or the death of a loved one, the issue is far more complex, as the biological triggers of depression are not as easily expressed, such as faulty mood regulation in the brain, vulnerable genetics in the DNA, and other medical problems. Many things are altered in the brain of the depressed person. Firstly, what most understand to be an imbalance in the levels of chemicals that regulate emotions, is in reality far more elaborate. The true issue surrounding the many chemicals involved inside and outside of the nerve cells that undergo numerous chemical reaction which make up the dynamic system that is responsible for mood, perceptions, and the way one experiences life you experiences life can be altered in different ways that affect how one lives. Along with the brains chemicals, the connections between nerve cells called neurons decrease and deteriorate, meaning the

Depression is a serious mental illness that can be treated. Knowing the type of depression is important. A person may find the treatment that best suits them with the trial and error process. The severity of the depression means a more intensive treatment. Most people choose to take antidepressants rather than actually getting help with their problem. They shouldn’t rely on the medication alone; if they do it can bring unwanted side effects. All of the depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery usually has its ups and downs.

Neurotransmitters involved in depression include norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. An imbalance of hormones may also play a role in depression. Many depressed people have higher than normal levels of hydrocortisone, a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress. In addition, an underactive or overactive thyroid gland can lead to depression.4