Essay Psychological Causes of Depression

There are several factors that may contribute to depression and depending on the individual can be rooted from a single or multiple reasons. If one has a family history of the illness it increases the likelihood to develop it along with environmental influences that also aid in its progress (CITE-2). Also biological issues such as neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain can contribute to depression, for example at the pre and post-synapse of a neuronal cell (CITE-2). A pattern of pessimistic thoughts and low self-esteem can proliferate the illness, as a study conducted exhibited that affected individuals did not improve perceptions of their depression even after a neurotransmitter imbalance explanation (CITE-4).

loss of important relationships, death of loved one and/or financial and health complications) (Hammen, 2005; Monroe & Harkness, 2005). Recent major stressful life events are present in about 70% of people with first episodes of depression (Monroe & Harkness, 2005). Females have a greater propensity to be affected by stressful events serving as precipitating factors for depression compared to males (Hammen, 2005; Harkness, & Monroe, 2002). These factors are independent of the individual and therefore considered independent life events. People with depression tend to create other problems in their lives such as problems with conflict resolution leading to dependent life events (Hammen, 2005). In depressed people, these dependent life events are more important in the development of depression. That is, depressed individuals tend to create stressful situations due to impaired cognitions that negatively skew their perceptions of themselves and the world (Beck, 1967; Hammen, 2005; Kendler et al., 2010; Kendler, Thornton, & Gardner, 2000; Kendler, Thornton, & Gardner, 2001). Therefore, their depression results from stressful events created by their subjective negative cognition (Beck,

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

Depression is common with 1 in 8 men and 1 in 5 women experiencing it throughout life and comes about through chemical imbalances in the brain. Causes of depression include the personality, alcohol or drug use, family history, chemical changes in the brain (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine), illnesses and life events such as relationships and the socioeconomic environment in which a person lives (quality of life). Feelings that result from depression can include guilt, irritation, lack of confidence, sadness, frustration, indecision, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Physiological symptoms of depression can include fatigue, problems sleeping, a change or loss of appetite, muscle pains, headaches, feeling sick or run down and weight loss or gain. If depression is not treated it can lead to

People could argue for days and days what causes depression, and everyone’s answer could be different. The loss of someone close to us, being sexually, physically, or mentally abused, exposure to violence, the list can go on and on. Former chair of California State University, Long Beach Department of Professional Studies, Henry O’ Lawrence,

Depression, a disorder of the brain, is known to be a common but serious illness that interferes with one’s life. Although MRI scans have shown a difference in the brain activity of individuals suffering depression, it cannot solely be used to diagnose depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) states that “with postpartum onset” to episode of depression with the onset being within 4 weeks of delivery of a neonate. (O’Hara and McCabe, 2013). Depression can be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors but can also occur in people without any family history (NIMH, 2016). Many people with depression do not seek help either because they are depressed or they do not want to be categorized as having depression.

No one knows the exact etiology of depression. Depression is a disorder that is still being examined, just like many other mental disorders the etiology depends on multiple factors. Some factors include biological differences, life events, brain chemistry, and hormones. Even though clinical professions have multiple benchmarks to reference depression etiology still depends on the individual person. An example for the unknown etiology of depression could be as something as simple as a scar on a person face. To a male who plays football, a scar on his face may not affect him. But if a female has a scar on her face it means a lot because females are often judge based on their appearance. Having a scar on a females face could be a reason

Depression is a debilitating mental disorder, which can be detrimental to a person’s way of living. For example, depression can cause an individual to have negative thoughts, experience chronic distress, and hopelessness (Pourbabaee, n.d.). Researchers focus on two causes of depression. Those who support the cognitive-behavioral perspective believe depression results from faulty thinking associated with low self-esteem or learned helplessness, as well as environmental influences such as the loss of a loved one or a job. Whereas, those who support the biological perspective believe depression results from the genes a person inherits, chemical imbalances that change the functions of the brain, as well as damage to the anatomy of the brain.

Some of these factors are; biological differences, brain chemistry, hormones, and inherited traits. The biological differences are a factor in that there appears to be a physical change in the brain that causes depression. In brain chemistry, neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Changes in the balance of the body’s hormones can also lead to depression. Finally if depression is present in other family members, it can be passed on

Last but not least staying active, setting goals,avoiding isolation and knowledge about the disorder can help improvement (Depression, 2016).There are many conditions of the environment in which people born, live, learn, play,work, worship and age that might affect one’s health, functionality and quality of life outcomesalso known as social determinants of health (Social determinants of health, 2017). Social supporthaving friends, family and other people to go to in trying times to help your focus and motivation(Social support, n.d.). If one has social support it will be easier to overcome the obstaclespresented in their trying times. For example, having the social support on campus withprofessors, students and/or friends helps make the years go by a lot smoother by serving as aguide or mentor. However, if the same individual lacks social support it can hinder theirimprovement. For example, one’s family may not totally agree with a decisions for a major,career or just their life in general resulting in a lack of social support.This can lead to isolationand pessimistic thinking which later can become major depression disorder. Another socialdeterminant of health that can lead to the major depression disorder is socioeconomic conditions.Socio-economic status is the reference to one’s income, wealth, education and prestige (Boyce,2008). College students already have enough on their plate with school and with the addition offinancial

(2) Although identifying the main cause may be helpful in management strategies, this might be difficult as different factors may interact to cause depression. Causes of depression can largely be classified into the following categories: stressful negative life event such as bereavement or parents’ divorcing; genetic predisposition (increased risk if 1st degree relative has depression); biological and physiological predispositions; poor cognition such as rumination; negative personalities such as neuroticism; and interpersonal factors such as excessive reassurance seeking.(2, 3)

Over the last century the rate of depression in the United States has increased dramatically. In 1905, just 1 percent of Americans reported a major depressive episode by age 75. In 1955, 6 percent experienced a major depressive episode by age 24. Today, according to some reports, 10 percent of the adult American population, or about 30 million people, experience depression at some point during any given year. (“History of Depression | The Art of Manliness," n.d.)

Although scientists agree that depression is a brain disorder, the debate continues about exact causes. Many factors may contribute to the onset of depression, including genetic characteristics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical illnesses, stress, grief, or substance abuse (Depression, 2015). Those examples alone and as a combination are enough to trigger the brain and signal depression and other related conditions. Too many people suffer with depression in silence. Some individuals are expected to be many things, but unfortunately being an average human being is not one of the many things. Individuals often overlook those that are in pain, feeling vulnerable and those who are overwhelmed. Some people are just expected to endure

Depression is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry (grief,stress,difficult life circumstances )

The term depression is widely misused in today’s society. All human beings experience periods in life where they are sad for a relatively short period of time, which is considered normal. Those who experience sadness for extended periods may be suffering from depression. Two terms used to reference the classifications of depression, are Major Depressive Disorder, and Dysthymia. Individual diagnosis of these classifications is dependent on the length of time, and severity of symptoms experienced by the individual. The causes for these depressive states can be due to genetics or the insufficient production of neurotransmitters, which provide the brain with the data necessary to regulate one's psychological well being. Two examples