Depression: A Genetic Analysis

They are popularly referred to as being part of a continuum, the ability to successfully perform in productive activities and relationships, as opposed to the inability to do such things (Mental Illness Overview). Ever since the first edition of the DSM was published in 1952, scientists have studied how a person’s mind relates to their brain and whether the disorders they listed were organic or purely in the mind (Arben). Science has made extraordinary leaps in this aspect, as they have come to discover not only the biological change that causes mental illnesses, but they are also able to pin down even specific chromosomes linked to them. One in particular that has been heavily studied is depression, which is known to be related to a lack of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Some of the more recently developed medications, known as SSRIs, block the receptors that recycle serotonin from taking in too much and allowing enough to carry proper signals throughout the brain (Johnson). While some people insist on the opinion that drugs such as these are overprescribed (Medications for Mental Illness Are Overprescribed), professionals use tested algorithms when determining whether a patient is in need of medication, and if so what medication to use (Restricting Medications for Mental Illness Harms Patients). These methods have been fine-tuned over the past few decades and are used treat a patient to their own personal needs, and to aid

According to Image vision, there are many reasons why a person may want plastic surgery. This may be due to social acceptability, change of facial muscles, aging, removal of scars and moles, skin diseases, change gender, and facial trauma (Michele Nappia Stefano Ricciardia MassimoT istarell, 2016). Over time, the surgery may change the facial features enough that the person's face is unrecognizable. is up to the patient to have surgery. Plastic surgery is related to a complex of social

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

According to the model, “behaviours are illnesses which may be caused by a combination of genetic, biochemical, hormonal factors or a change in the nervous system”. This approach is the most dominant used in the western world today. It is based on medicines and surgery, where prescriptions of drugs such as anti-depressants are used to restore chemical imbalance (serotonin levels). The model is based on hard science, making this a major advantage. The investigation into twins studied by McGuffin et al (1996), to evaluate the importance of genetics in mental illness, suggests it is highly possible there is a genetic component linked to depression in many cases.

The pertinent findings will be explained, and their implications on future anti-depressants will be addressed.

A psychological disorder is a condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and both depression and bipolar fall under psychological disorders. (Module 13.1). A person who suffers from bipolar disorder previously known as Maniac depression. Additionally, people how suffer from bipolar also likely suffer from some type of depression. A person with bipolar disorder experiences a state of mood swings from depression to mania. In order words they can be happy one minute, and extremely mad the next. So, to be diagnosed with Bipolar, one needs to experience one maniac episode once in there life. Characteristics of bipolar include extremely talkative, reckless behavior, or attempt to do too many activities simultaneously.

Everyone will have a sad moment in their life, whether it is a death, a friend betraying he or she, or not getting accepted to the college of his or her choice. Depression can be described with many different words, but it will come down to sadness. People who live with depression will see lack of joy, energy, and happiness. They will not enjoy life, or living. They see it as pointless and useless. Many people will have a depressing moment at some point in their lifetime. The people who develop depression do not have to be poor or unsuccessful. They can be making millions a year and still be depressed, showing that money and success does not guarantee happiness. To be able to fully understand what depression is, one will need to know the

In multiple other studies, depression vulnerabilities have been examined independently. However, this study proposes to look at the interrelatedness of cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal depression vulnerabilities at varying levels of depressive symptoms in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (Rieckmann, Burg, Gerin, Chaplin, Clemow & Davidson, 2006).

Psychiatric genetics is a subtopic of behavioral genetics, evolutionary psychology and behavioral neuroscience. The research began with evolutionary psychology, the field of psychology that studies how much human thought and behavior is determined by genetics. Evolutionary psychology was then narrowed down to behavioral genetics, which focused directly on how much of behavior is determined by genetics or the environment. Behavioral genetics was still too broad. For every issue in behavioral genetics there was the nature or nurture argument (Feist & Rosenberg, 2012). The topic was narrowed down specifically to the correlation between genetics and mental disorders. Therefore, psychiatric genetics became the selected topic.

Generally, ECT allows for 65 to 140 volts to pass through the brain, which then causes a seizure to occur and over time allows the patient to decrease depressive feelings. Other biological treatments are anti-depressants, brain stimulation, and mood stabilizers. Anti-depressants and mood stabilizers can have other side-effects such as high blood pressure, constipation, dry mouth, gaining weight, decreased sex drive, overdosing/intoxication, nausea, vomiting, tremors, dizziness, slurred speech, death, seizures, and kidney failure. Brain stimulation has not been investigated thoroughly for long-term investigative purposes for any problematic symptoms (Comer,

According to the data collected by WHO in 2012, in Eastern Europe the suicide rate is equal or greater than 15 suicides per 100,000 populations, which is more severe than other parts of the world. There have been studies done by researchers in different institutes discussing the factors that cause this phenomenon.

194). Unipolar depression may be caused by a greater number of stressful life events in the weeks leading up to the onset of the disorder (Comer, 2011, p. 197). Certain drugs and diseases are known to produce mood changes (Comer, 2011, p. 198). Genetic research suggests that some people may inherit a predisposition to unipolar depression (Comer, 2011, p. 198). Biochemical research suggests that chemicals in the brain, brain circuits, and the body’s endocrine system may all play a role in causing unipolar depression (Comer, 2011, pp. 199-200).

Studies of close nit families in communities which are isolated from the modern world e.g the Amish have shown in studies that manic depression is passed down through families is passed down and genetic in origin. Their records go back generations but just

Also by studying A-Level Psychology, I have been able to see the implications of the drug’s effects on the neurones and the impact they have on the brain and an individual’s behaviour. An example of this is the drug ‘Prozac’ which is now banned in some countries due to the increased number of cases of suicide in the people who were taking the medication. Also, the pharmaceutical industry has also looked into the effects of ‘Placebo’s’ in treatment as controls to test whether a drug is effective, which brings in the element of Psychology in Pharmacy.

A person genes might: make themselves vulnerable to mood disorders in which they might self-medicate, shape the brain so it responds to initial drug exposure to encourage chronic drug abuse that wreaking changes that leads to mood disorders, and cause the brain to develop in a way that directly fosters both types of disorder, for example through vulnerability to neuronal sensitization and kindling (p.15).