Depression
What Is Depression?
Depression affects the entire body both physically and
psychologically. Symptoms vary from person to person, but may include
lack of sleep, negative moods, lack of self esteem, changes in behavior
such as poor performance at school or work, thinking, and physical
well-being. Depression is
more than just an occasional blue mood. Symptoms of depression can last
for weeks at a time, months or even years. Without treatment, a
person with depression cannot simply "get over" it on their own, but may
continue to suffer for years. However, most people can significantly
improve their condition with appropriate help. One of the main
challenges in seeking help is having the person realize it is not a sign
of personal weakness to do so.
Causes
It has been discovered that people
with depression have chemical imbalances in the brain
suggesting that it is a medical
illness, without psychological causes. However, all psychological
problems have some physical manifestations, and all physical illnesses
have psychological components as well. It has been shown that the chemical imbalances
that occur during depression usually disappear when a person completes
psychotherapy for depression, without taking any medications to correct
the imbalance. This suggests that the imbalance is the body's physical
response to psychological depression, rather than the other way around.
Bipolar and Severe Major Depression seem
to run in families,
suggesting a biological connection.
Studies of families where various members develop bipolar
disorder, have found that those with bipolar disorder have a somewhat
different genetic makeup than those who are not diagnosed. However, not everybody with
the genetic makeup that causes this vulnerability to bipolar disorder
develops the disorder. Additional factors, such as stress and other
psychological factors are involved as well. Major depression also seems to
run more frequently in
some families, but without clear biological
causes. Additionally, it can also occur in people who have no family
history of depression. So, while there may be some biological factors
that contribute to depression, a variety of psychological factors also play a
role in vulnerability to severe forms of depression.
Mild, Moderate and Reactive forms of
depression are more likely to be caused by psychological factors alone,
without biological factors. Reactive depression is usually diagnosed as
an adjustment disorder during treatment.
People prone to depression have
certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem, looking at the world with pessimism, or
being easily overwhelmed
by stress. Psychologists believe learned behaviors are also significant
in the development of depression, as well as other psychological
problems. People learn both adaptive and maladaptive ways of
managing stress and responding to life problems within their family,
educational, social and work environments. These environmental factors
influence psychological development, and the way people try to resolve
problems when they occur. Learned behaviors may also be a contributor
for why psychological problems appear to occur more
often in family members, from generation to generation. If a child
grows up in a pessimistic environment, in which discouragement is common
and encouragement is rare, that child will develop a vulnerability to
depression as well.
Environmental factors can also
contribute to depression. For example, a serious loss, chronic illness, relationship
problems, work stress, family crisis, financial setback, or any
unwelcome life change can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, it
is a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors
are involved in the development of depressive disorders.
Other Resources:
