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Mental illness in our families summary
Mental illness in our families summary
Biological processes and mental illness
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In unit seven, this learner took part in a debate involving the causes of depression. Depression is a debilitating mental disorder that can be detrimental to a person’s way of living. For centuries, psychologists and researchers have been searching for a single cause of depression, identifying two perspectives to date. The cognitive-behavioral perspective includes influences of faulty thinking that develops from low self-esteem and or a learned helplessness. In addition, cognitive-behavioral perspective indicates environmental influences such as poor living conditions and socioeconomic issues as causes of depression. However, this learner presented evidence along with personal experiences to support the biological perspective of the debate. The biological influences associated with depression include genes, chemical imbalance, and or damage to the anatomy of the brain. For example, genes are the personal blueprint of every individual, which maps out what a person is likely to inherit from generation to generation. These inherited gens predispose a person to inherit certain personality traits, physical features, medical and mental health condition such as depression. However, if these inherited genes do not become active by an environmental influence such as the loss of a loved one or a job, there is no guarantee that a condition will take place (NIMH, 1998). In a study by Sullivan, Neale, and Kendler (2000), the implications of genetic influences is evident that familial aggregation (x2 = 97.7, df = 1, p > 0.00005) runs in biological families (first-degree relatives such as parents and children) with major depression. In addition, the twin studies indicate a higher genetic influence in identical twin (who share identical genes) a... ... middle of paper ... ... imbalances. Retrieved August 27, 2011 from http://ezinearticles.com/?ADHD-Chemical-Imbalance&id=2773162 Mayo Clinic (2008). Understanding brain injury: A guide for the family. Retrieved August 20, 2011 from http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/tbims/upload/ubi_families.pdf NIMH, (1998). Mental Health: A report from the Surgeon General. Retrieved August 24, 2011 from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter2/sec3.html Pourbabaee, K., (n.d.). Brain chemistry/function & female depression. Retrieved August 25, 2011 from http://www.isacalls.com/A+Isagenix%20BRAIN%20CHEMISTRYDepression.pdf Sullivan, P. F., Neale, M. C., & Kendler, K. S. (2000). Genetic epidemiology of major depression: Review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(10), 1552-1552-62. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220490513?accountid=27965
Depression is a complicated process as it seems be the effect of more than one process. There are many theories surrounding the biological side of depression, however the two prominent ones have developed many studies and encouraged many debates for its cause. The monoamine hypothesis and the neurotropic hypothesis are both different theories concerning the cause of depression, however both holds strong evidence, and when studied further, leads to the possibility of overlap and linkage between the two.
Biological psychologists believe that a person usually develop depression because of genetic factors. Family history is very important evidence for doctors to see when tying to diagnosis depression since the family history will show whether depression illness runs through the families that could have been inherited. Weissman found that around 50% children whose parents also expressed depressive symptoms develop depression too. This is a great number to inherit depression from therefore this shows that genetics plays a great role in developing depression.
The behavioral genetics perspective of psychology explores the role that genetics plays in human behavioral patterns and characteristics. Recurring episodes of depression are normally caused by genetic factors and not external situations. Overall, it is shown that pe...
Compared to other research methods such as phenotyping family members, twin and adoption studies are sufficiently simpler and cheaper especially if relevant registries are available ( ). It has been said that The results of twin and adoption studies have now resolved the ‘nature-nurture debate’; this essay will critically discuss this statement and explore this thesis in regards to depression. According to the fourth edition of the diagnostic manual of mental disorders, depression is defined as “the prolonged presence of either depressed mood or ambedonia, a markedly diminished interest or pleasure in response to previously enjoyable activities” ( ). This essay will discuss how depression is influenced by both nature and nurture and will discuss the finding of twin and adoption studies conducted on this matter. The way in which this essay will demonstrate the depression is influenced by both nature and nurture is by devolving into studies and statistics arguing both ideas of the
One factor that has dominated over recent years is the biological approach, suggesting that it is a person’s genes that lead to depressed symptoms. One theory that has contributed to this is the monoamine hypothesis. This suggests there are three main monoamine neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin and norephrenine which cause depression. Specifically, low levels of serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood and balances areas of the brain associated with thinking and emotions. Serotonin pathways connect to different brain regions and are located in the brainstem area “the Raphe nuclei”. They affect areas in the brain including the neocortex and the limbic system (e...
There are several factors to what causes depression. Genes can affect the risk of depression. People who have had a history of depression in their family are at a much higher risk of depression. In fact, people who have a family member have a 2 to 3 greater risk of depression (Levinson). Siblings or children of people with recurring depression have run the risk of depression 4 to 5 times higher than the average person. However, people do not just simply inherit depression from their parents. There are a multiple genes that affect depression, and since each person has a unique makeup, depression isn’t just inherited. There are other factors too (Levinson).
Evidence suggests that genetics are just one factor which can contribute towards depression. Substantial evidence implies that
With further studies scientist have now concluded that an imbalance of chemicals is not necessarily the causing factor of depression. Some factors that can cause an episode of depression are physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, medications, loss or death, substance abuse, serious illness, major events, and genetics. With genetics playing the biggest roll in the cause of depression. “If a person has a family history of depression they are 20% to 30% times more likely to develop depression sometime in their life, compared to the average person who is only 10% likely to develop depression” (Levinson). There have been several studies done by the Medical Research Council Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre at King’s College in London on how genetics relate to depression. The researchers found a significant linkage between a certain chromosome, 3p25-26, and depression. “The linkage finding was replicated by another group who found genome-wide-significant linkage for depression in the same region. This suggests that 3p25-26 is a new locus for severe recurrent depression” (Breen
The causes of depression are not clear-cut, but the biochemistry of the brain, the environment, and personality all seem to have an effect on how prone a person is to depression....
Multiple gene studies have found evidence of associations to the locus for cAMP Response-Element Binding Protein on chromosome two (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). In addition, family studies have indicated a positive correlation between the likelihood of developing depression and the number of family members with depression (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Therefore, it can be deducted that genetics play a significant role in the etiology of depression. That being said, there may be psychosocial aspects behind depression as well. Sadock, Kaplan, and Sadock (2007) stated that stressful events or stimuli often precede episodes of MDD and other mood disorders. Specific events positively correlated to depression include the loss of a parent, spouse, or unemployment (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Again, leading etiologic theories behind depression included biologic, genetic, and psychosocial factors. An adequate understanding of these factors may assist practitioners to PUT SOMETHING
However, the most common causes include abuse, medications, conflicts, death or a loss, genetics, major events, serious illnesses, substance abuse, and other personal problems. Abuse, which could be physical, sexual or emotional, in the early stages of life can cause depression in the later years of someone’s life. Researchers believe that abuse harms parts of the hippocampus, part of brain, which causes him to be more vulnerable to depression. Specific medications have side effects that is or can lead to depression. Medications can off balance the chemicals levels in the brain, producing depression, An example would be the acne treatment, Accutane or the antiviral drug, interferon-alpha. Someone can also develop depression from the emotional harm done by fighting with family members or a loved one. Experiencing someone close moving out of your life usually always makes a person sad, but depressed people are more than just sad; they believe that their life is unimportant and hopeless. Scientists know that depression is hereditary by studying the patterns of illnesses in families to determine a percentage of how much the cause of depression was caused by genes, which is called the heritability. Specifically they look at a twin who has depression sees if the other has depression and they came to the conclusion that the heritability is 40-50% (Levinson 1). Genes can cause depression, but so can other stressful, more emotional things, like when a major event is stressing a person out. This could mean a new job, graduating, getting married, losing a job, getting divorced, and retiring. Sometimes depression is a reaction to a major illness, or co-exists. Substance abuse and depression is one of those situations of which came first. Sometimes depression caused substance abuse, while substance abuse can cause depression. Adding to this long list, any other personal problems, like being bullied or
Environmental factors are things that have happened to people in their lives which cause them to become depressed or encourage their depression. Studies have shown that if an individual grows up in a house with a depressed family member, they are more likely to become depressed (Faris). If one watches a depressed family member, they may learn to mimic that person when situations occur and may learn to become depressed themselves. With genetic and environmental factors, they go hand and hand in some situations. “In studies, a twin was found 76 percent likely to develop depression if his or her twin suffered from it. When the twins grew up in completely separate environments, that likelihood only decreased to 67 percent” (Faris). The 67 percent shows the amount of twins that grew up with depression from genetic factors and the 76 percent of twins that lived with their twins developed depression from the environment that they lived
Depression is characterized by overwhelming sadness, loss of motivation, and interest in activities. This mental illness can be life-threatening and disabling for many people. Depression affects 1 in 10 adults, leading to the majority of the 41,000 yearly suicides. (Hope for Depression Research Foundation [n.d]). Although this is a very disabling disease that makes thousands feel hopeless; but Biomed gives a better insight into the illness. Allowing many to pinpoint why they have depression giving them a kind of comfort with their mental illness. Biomedical research has given an answer to why these people are suffering. “Depression can be triggered by traumatic life events, poor diet, genetic conditions, blood sugar imbalances, medical illness, hormone imbalance, lack of
Studies show that social, environmental, and biological interaction all contribute to depression. Good (1997) observes:
Kessler, Chiu . et. al."The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America."NIMH RSS. National Institute of Mental Health , n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.