HPA: A Case Study

The purpose of the present paper is to further investigate anxiety and depression in adolescence by considering what causes these internalizing problems to peak in adolescence, and whether there are significant gender differences. It is hypothesized that insecurely attached adolescent females who experience early pubertal transitions experience an increase in internalizing problems. Insecure attachment, defined as the attachment pattern in which a child is avoidant, resistant, and ambivalent toward their caregiver, increases complications in other relationships and future development (Santrock, 2016, p. 274). Puberty, defined as the brain-neuroendocrine process transpiring in adolescence that supplies stimulation for the increasing physical changes that accompany this stage of development, is an important indication of the beginning of adolescence (Santrock, 2016, p. 49). The present paper will be organized into two main subheadings followed by a discussion, where the subheadings will be characterized by specific points of interest pertaining to the present hypothesis and the discussion will aim to address any important gaps in the existing literature

This topic came from the thought that depression is something that all of us have experienced at some point in our lives. It focuses on adolescents because during this period we are young and vulnerable and may not know how to cope with situations or circumstances that may lead us into depression. Factors such as going through puberty and issues at home with parents can all cause depression. This paper will talk about what is depression, how families can affect depression in the child, and how depression can lead to long term effects.

According to a study published in the European Journal of Public Health in August 2005, Effects of physical exercise on depression neuron doctrine stress hormones and physiological fitness in adolescent females with

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Adolescent stress is an important part of their lives and it is important for it to be monitored regularly in order for them to feel the benefit of learning important stress management skills. About 39% of the adolescents undergo depression at one point or another and they seem to handle their problems in a way that is constructive. This stress and depression ranges from mild to severe with the young people often relying on negative or passive behaviors in their attempts to deal effectively with their problems. Stress is usually characterized by frustration, sadness, worry, tension and withdrawal. There are many reasons that lead to stress in adolescents and younger people. Various studies have been conducted to determine the causes of stress among adolescents. The

Diencephalon lies beneath the cerebrum in the brain stem region. The diencephalon consists of four main components; thalamus, subthalamus, hypothalamus, and the epithalamus. The thalamus is located on both sides of the brain under the cerebral. The thalamus also makes up most of the diencephalon mass. The primary function is to processes and sends the information it receives to the brain. Located below the thalamus is the hypothalamus and plays another crucial role in the body. The hypothalamus is responsible for our appetite, behavior, and some hormones (Saladin, p.524). Epithalamus is the location to the pineal gland which produces melatonin and helps with sleep cycles. Subthalamus is located between the thalamus and the hypothalamus and

Psychiatrists hypothesis that hippocampal dysfunctioning showed the anatomic basis for alteration in memory like fragmentation and delayed recall of traumatic memories of childhood abuse. 3 Based on a research made by David de Wied, the anterior pituitary gland is the primary site of action for glucocorticoid dexamethasone: a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, a blocking substance or suppressor of stress-induced ACTH. And the medial basal hypothalamus is the site for both synthetic and natural occurring glucocorticoid (corticosterone and aldosterone; stress inducers). Corticosterone acts more than hypothalamus in the brain, and there are different modes of actions of dexamethasone and Corticosterone in the brain. The accumulation of dexamethasone in the pituitary cotrophs determine the hyperactive and the dysfunctioning of the hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal axis commonly found in depressive patients.

Past research has sought to establish set features of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents. However, it has remained unclear as to how to compare different variables regarding adolescents due to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Many in the medical field believed that depressive disorders did not exist in adolescents and that the DSM needed to be updated to better suit the society of today. Prior to the 1970s, depression in adolescents was not well researched. The Oregon Adolescent Depression Project (OADP) is one of few studies to provide early data regarding depression in adolescence. The Synoptic Expression of Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults is a updated article that refutes past medical viewpoints that adolescents cannot suffer from depressive disorders. The original goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of the concordance for specific symptoms across episodes. On the basis of past empirical work however, researchers expected that across-episode symptom stability would be low. The purpose of the present study was to compare the symptomatic nature of MDD among adolescents and young adults and to examine the stability of specific symptoms across episodes. In addition, researchers examined different expressions of depressive symptoms between genders. The event of individual symptoms will not

The hypothalamus is a small, vital section of the brain located just below the thalamus; it is in charge of numerous important bodily functions. The hypothalamus is shaped like a cone and ends in the pituitary stalk, a part of the pituitary gland. It forms the major portion of the ventral region of diencephalons, and oversees autonomic and metabolic processes. The hypothalamus is the connection between the nervous system and the endocrine system, creating this link by producing and secreting neurohormones that in turn stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to secrete hormones. The hypothalamus is central in the regulation of body temperature, hunger, thirst, and in the management of emotions and sexual activity.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression (MD) is characterized by severe feelings of sadness for a prolonged period of time (n.d.). Although depression occurs in multiple episodes, it has the ability to interfere and prevent a person from functioning normally. A person who identifies with this disorder experiences persistent loneliness, feelings of guilt, uselessness, and having thoughts of committing suicide. The onset of depression, like among various mental disorders, first emerges during the adolescent age. Due to the stimulation of neural pathways and behavioural patterns, together with the change in lifestyle because of puberty, the adolescent stage depicts a time of inevitable vulnerability. They become more susceptible to mental health disorders, particularly major depression, as a result of little or no support from parents, peers, or health services. Within the United States, 20% of adolescents have been diagnosed with mental health disorders, twenty percent of which suffer from depression (Shwarz, 2009). Because of the prevalence of depression and other mental disorders on the onset of puberty, it is important to address these issues as early as possible. The strong linkage of depression with suicide also construes a negative effect on adolescents and families overtime. Compared to previous studies, the primary goal of this research paper is to identify sociological factors that help explain the prevalence of depression within the

The diencephalon encloses the third ventricle and is located in the forebrain. The major subdivisions that make up this structure are the thalamus, hypothalamus and the epithalamus. The thalamus is important in which it serves as a sensory and motor station within the brain. It receives sensory information and relays it to the cerebral cortex for interpretation. The thalamus also functions to regulate sleep patterns and control human consciousness and wakefulness. The thalamic nuclei have connections with the cerebral cortex in which they work together to fulfill the role of alertness. The hypothalamus is associated with the autonomic nervous system as well as the endocrine system. In the autonomic system, it serves as an involuntary system

The hypothalamus is a small cone-shaped structure (Benson, 2016); it is a portion of the brain containing a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. The hypothalamus has considerable functions of linking the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland also called hypophysis. The location of the hypothalamus is directly below the thalamus and is part of the limbic system (Benson, 2016). In the human body, the hypothalamus controls some of the metabolic processes including some other activities of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). All vertebrate brain contain a hypothalamus. The most significant effect of injuries to or abnormalities in the hypothalamus on behavior are the changes in the individual’s digestive

The hypothalamus is located just below the thalamus and is in control of regulating homeostasis within the body. It monitors states of rest, temperature, hunger, thirst, through the controlled release of hormones it maintains an internal balance; any shift out of balance results in diminished cognitive processes (Sousa, 2011). A child with autism for example, who is averse to sudden changes in environment, would likely respond erratically to a fire drill. This sudden change and over stimulus could result in an adrenaline response and sudden change in

Adolescence is a stage of maturation between childhood and adulthood that denotes the period from the beginning of puberty to maturity. However, many conflicting opinions are raised about weather such a stage of childhood is influenced by stress, depression, and suicide rate. Some people support the optimistic view that says that adolescence is not a period of storm and stress. Others, including me, support an opposite pessimistic view which characterizes adolescence as a period of stress and inner turmoil. Unfortunately, it has been recently proved that depression is a growing problem in today 's society and a major contributing factor for a multitude of adolescent problems. This is because , as research indicates, adolescent depression

The study of the biochemistry of depression in adults has highlighted the role of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Research on the biological aspects of depression suggests that during the earlier developmental periods of childhood and adolescence, the neuroregulatory system is not equivalent to that in adulthood. Thus, while many workers still find evidence for a biological dysfunction in childhood depression, a translation of the adult findings would not be sufficient. Most of the characteristics of adult depression are not present with childhood depression, and vise versa.