Debate Summary: The Causes of Depression

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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

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