Symptoms And Treatments For Severe Depression

For major depression between monozygotic and dizygotic twins suggest a heritability of about 37%. It is lower than the heritability of bipolar disorder or schizophrenias.

Some have said there is a specific gene type we may carry, some say what we inherit isn’t in our DNA, but a vulnerability. When vulnerability is brought up along with the topic of depression, it makes it out to be a very dangerous situation. This means that if someone has close relatives who have clinical depression, that somebody may inherit a tendency to develop the illness. It does not necessarily mean that we are destined to become depressed at some point in our lives, but there is definitely a higher risk for those who are raised in this scenario. If someone has grew up with a family history of depression, are they truly at a high risk? If someone has a parent or family member with major depression, that person has a two to three times greater risk of developing the illness compared with the average person. The situation is typically a little different if the parent or close relative has had depression more than just once, known as recurrent depression, and if the illness started relatively early in the person’s life (childhood, teens, or early twenties). This form of depression would be less common – the exact percentage of the population is not exactly known for sure, but statistically may be around three to five percent. The relatives and children of people with this form of depression usually develop it at a

Biopsychologists believe genetics plays a factor in depression for if one has depression it is more likely that a close relative may and will suffer from depression as well. In fact about 20 percent of those relatives suffer from depression as well (Comer, R. J. 2010). Sometimes the cause for depression is simply a chemical imbalance. Low activity of norepinephrine and serotonin has been linked to unipolar depression. As well as certain interactions between neurotransmitters and the endocrine system itself has been linked to depression.

One of the most common psychiatric disorders is known as clinical depression and affects anywhere between 3% and 13% of the population with some form of depressive symptoms affecting as much as 20% of the adult population at some point in their lives (Amenson & Lewinson, 1981; Kessler et al., 1994; Oliver & Simmons, 1985, as cited in Antonuccio, Danton, & DeNelsky, p. 574). The concept of ‘harmful dysfunction’ advanced by Horwitz and Wakefield (2007) describes two key components of clinical depression: a dysfunctional mechanism and the dysfunction being harmful to the individual (as cited in, Parker & Paterson, p.405). This paper explores the following questions: what does research indicate about clinical depression and what are the implications for treatment? Reviews are presented in regards to the emergence of depression and psychotherapy versus medication to treat clinical depression. Considerations are briefly discussed and the research paper will conclude with an interpretation of the critical points.

It is believed that faulty genes can cause some disorders that have a psychological effect. A way in which this can be tested is by doing studies on twins as they have the similar genetics. McGuffin et al did a study in 1996 where they compared 109 sets of twins in order to investigate how likely each twin was to develop depression. They looked at the concordance rates for depression in MZ and DZ twins, they expected that MZ twins either both have depression or neither have depression. So therefore its expected to find a higher concordance for depression in MZ twins that in DZ twins. The results showed that if one non identical twin developed depression that there was a 20% likelihood that the other would too, in identical twins this rose to 46%. This study therefore proves that genetics can have a massive impact on abnormality.

Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and an endless list of other mental issues transcend one’s upbringing. But how exactly do they factor into the equation? First, we have to discuss the basics of mood disorders. Essentially, all the illnesses mentioned above are classified as mood disorders. Although scientists are still conducting extensive studies on the subject to gain further information, the general understanding is that an imbalance of chemicals in the brain such as, serotonin and norepinephrine, can negatively alter one’s thoughts, emotions and perception of reality (SAVE). The symptoms can be devastating, adversely affecting all areas of a person’s life. SAVE weighs in, “Many people who suffer from depression report feeling as though they've lost the ability to imagine a happy future, or remember a happy past.” Friends of mine, suffering from destructive mood disorders, have described depression as a feeling of being “stuck,” as if they are frozen in time, watching the rest of the world move on around them. Did they inherit these issues from their family? Through extensive studies, Douglas Levinson and Walter Nichols of the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences aimed to find an answer. They found that around 50 percent of depression cases are caused by genetic factors. Individuals with a parent or sibling that suffers from major depression are at a “2 or 3 times greater risk of developing depression compared with the average person” (Levinson) The scientists make sure to specify that one parent isn’t solely to blame for passing the genes down. Often times, it is often a genetic blend of both that causes the illness. Overall, scientists have come to a firm agreement that individuals can, in fact, have a predisposition to mental illness. Some of these individuals are blessed with a healthy upbringing,

Clinical depression is an illness that significantly affects the way someone feels; causing a persistent pessimistic mood. There are two main types of depression; post trauma and clinical deposition. This medical condition is often accompanied by a range of other physical and psychological symptoms that can interfere with a person’s everyday life; affecting 6% of Australian adults every year. Symptoms for depression include sleeping pattern disturbances, loss of motivation and interest, feeling worthless or guilty, anxiety and impaired concentration. There are a few ways that this depressive illness can be caused: reaction to a distressing situation like loss or stress; part of an illness such

Research with adopted twins have also shown children who have depressive symptoms have the same as their biological parents therefore showing that depression can be inherited (Wender 1968.)

If anything about depression remained clear throughout history, it was that no one specific cause could be isolated and pinpointed. Burton and Hippocrates both suggested a combination of social, economic, and physiological influences that could combine to cause the development of mental illness; modern understanding indicates genetics, brain biology and chemistry, trauma, stress, and substance abuse can be, and often are, causes of depression. It is understood now that genetics in particular is an important factor, as a person with a family history of depression is two to three times more likely to be depressed themselves. It is important to note, however, that there are currently no known genes that specifically lead to the development of depression—rather, a person most likely inherits a combination of genes from parents who have had depression, and this combination will strongly predispose them

4.1 Biological factors These are natural causes that cannot be prevented such as genetics. Genetics as a risk factor for depression is best demonstrated in twins. Identical twins share 100% of their genes, while non-identical or “fraternal” twins share 50% of their genes. Research has shown that because identical twins share their genes they have a much higher risk of getting the disorder compared to fraternal twins, which only share 50%.

Sited from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ “Depression, also major depression, clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is a medical illness that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest. Depression affects how the person feels, behaves and thinks.” Now the world has yet to fully understand the different disorders and diseases that surround us today, but we learn more and more every day. One illness the world is well aware of, is Depression. Depression affects millions of people around the world, and can be very common. But one question remains...Can depression be genetically passed or inherited to us from

Lifestyle Factors And Environmental Causes Of Major Depression discusses what a good and healthy lifestyle and what meteorological factors impact depression. “In addition, a person with very little innate propensity to become depressed can also develop symptoms after they encounter a significant and traumatic environmental, meteorological, trigger such as the annihilation of their home by a hurricane” (Nemade 1). This quote is an example of an meteorological factors. The horrible aftermath of a natural disaster could cause depression long term in tandem with post-traumatic stress. This source, MentalHelp, credible because they research about mental health and is not biased. In Mental Illness May Be In Your Genes it talks about genetic factors, but genetics is not the whole story and talks about how meteorological factors also have an impact into causing depression. “Genes aren’t the whole story and that something in the environment must also be involved to trigger a psychiatric problem” (Iliades 1). This quote states there is something more than solely genetics, but also the article does list factors in everyday life that could be the cause of depression. Iliades is credible because he is not biased wrote multiple research articles. In Reasons for Teen Depression it talks about reasons why teens could get depression and environmental factor in lifestyle and daily responsibilities

Another main cause of Clinical Depression would be childhood problems. This can take shape in many ways. For some, an abusive parent can be the trigger for the disease. For others, it can happen outside of home, such as from bullying. Close observations of how children act as they grow older can determine if they are at risk for the disease. “Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs” (“Youth Suicide Statistics”). By detecting these signs, help can be given that will prevent and long-term damage done by the

Over the years, people have argued and discussed about what could be possible causes of depression. Some experts believe that a person’s genes could be a determinative of whether he or she is inclined or genetically predisposed, to depression. Experts point it to the fact that depressive genes could run in families. Other specialists lessen the role of the person’s genetic, arguing that depression is generally caused by stress, trauma, or physical or mental illness.