The Causes Of Depression Psychology Essay

The Causes Of Depression Psychology EssayThe emotion of sadness is normal in response to everyday stressful or upsetting events analogous losing a loved maven or running into financial difficulty. These tangs are usually only temporarily and should resolve once the grieving period is over or once the disturbing event has been resolved. When the feeling of sadness remains for longer than is reasonable or it starts to interfere with an individuals daily activities or personal relationships it may signal the trespass of depression.The causes of depressionModern day imaging technologies bid Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have demonstrated significant differences in the descriptor of depressions patients brains compared to those of hoi polloi who do not suffer from depression. The specific parts of the brain displaying these abnormalities include the mood, higher thought, sleep, appetite and behavioural centres in the brain. Unfortunately these imaging modalities do not give in formation on the cause of these abnormalities.One of the challenges with diagnosing and treating depression effectively is that it is caused by a combination of factors instead of just one easily identifiable factor. It has long been accepted that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environ rational and psychological factors. The one common factor is that it is always relate to the brain.The genetic factor is evincen by the fact that depression tends to run in families and if an individual has a close relative who suffers from depression it naturally incr peace of minds that individuals happen of also developing depression.Certain genes are being studied by scientists as it is suspected that these genes combined with other factors can increase a persons bump of developing depression. Genes are suspected to be responsible for the regulation of neurotransmitters and if scientists can identify these genes they can accurately predict which patients will res pond to specific anti-depressant drugs and which wont.It is merely possible for people with no family history to also develop depression.The biological aspect of depression is very closely related to the genetic one, since an individuals genes will regularize the biological working of his or her body.Scientists believe that depression may also be caused by an imbalance in the important neurotransmitters of the brain. This theory is difficult to prove but the effective use of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in some patients support this theory. The important neurotransmitters that play a part in the onset and phylogeny of depression are serotonin, acetylcholine, catecholamine and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF).Scientists believe it is as a result of the hormonal changes women are exposed to during their monthly cycle that may also cast the neurotransmitters in the brain. One example is of a recent study which exposed the link between serotonin and oestrogen. As the oestroge n levels drop after ovulation the serotonin levels in a womans brain also drops causing her to feel anxious or depressed. In the same way the rapid hormonal changes after expectant birth is believed to be one of the mayor factors leading to postpartum depression. Unfortunately menopausal women are not spared as they too are exposed to changing hormonal patterns during this stage of their lives.Environ psychological factors that may trigger depression include the loss of a loved one, divorce, losing a job or failing at an important task. Short term sadness is a normal response to these triggers and should not be confused with depression that is a more severe, debilitating mental unhealthiness. nation differ in how they deal with everyday troubles and this can be traced back to the psychological make-up of each individual. When faced with a stressful mail service people can revert to coping mechanisms, some of which they may have learned from childhood. Where one individual may re ly on alcohol to ease their psychological pain another may rely on comfort eating or cigarettes.Unfortunately these coping mechanisms can either trigger the onset of depression or worsen already existing depression. Alcohol and drug abuse are often seen in men, more than in women, but some(prenominal) these coping mechanisms can cause and worsen depression. Another example is an individual who suffers from insomnia, also a psychological response, which can lead to depression.Some psychological disorders resembling anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can co-exist with depression. It is also possible for depression to develop as a result of these disorders.Diseases like cancer, heart unhealthiness, stroke, diabetes and Parkinsons disease can cause depression. The depression symptoms can be worsened by the presence of the disease and the disease symptoms can be worsened by the pr esence of depression. In these instances treating the depression can alleviate the symptoms associated with the disease.Risk factors for depressionDepression is a severe mental illness which can afflict anyone, even children, at any stage of their life. There are however preponderant risk factors associated with depression. These risk factors includePeople who are aged 49 54.Being of the female genderLiving in povertyAlcohol or drug abuseSerious illnessAge associated with depressionThe median age at which depression occurs for the first time may be 32, but the highest depression rates are seen among people aged 49 to 54. One of the reasons may be imputable to hormonal fluctuations in women caused by menopause. Another important reason may be due to the development of serious illnesses associated with this age group. Diseases that may develop during at this life stage include heart disease and cancer. Financial tension related to specifically retirement goals may be another factor that can influence the onset of depression.Gender associated with depressionThe relationship between the hormonal changes in a womans body and the occurrence of depression has already been discussed.Apart from these hormonal changes women are exposed to more sociocultural stressors as they have to fulfil multiple roles like earning an income, raising children, and running a household. It is also estimated that many women have suffered from a history of sexual abuse further increasing their risk for developing depression. scantness associated with depressionPeople who live in poverty struggle to make ends meet causing them to be in a continuous stressful state, feeling overwhelmed and incapable of taking control over their make lives. Loss of control, like that seen in poverty and at the onset of a serious illness, is a major(ip) contributing factor in the development of depression.Alcohol or drug abuseAlthough alcohol abuse is seen in women and men alike, it tends to be more preval ent amongst members of the male gender. Men tend to be less emotionally open and willing to discuss their problems rather turning to alcohol or drug abuse. The tranquillising effect that these substances have can make it harder for an individual to accept responsibility for their own lives or the lives of their families. In turn this may lead to feelings of inadequacy and accordingly depression.Serious illnessDiseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and Parkinsons disease can cause an individual to feel like they have lost control over their own lives. When an individual becomes dependant on home care or the care of family members feeling like they are a meat to others combined with the financial burden of a serious disease can worsen their depression.