Depressive Disorder Research Paper

Depression is not just about being unhappy, it is a mental disease that has affected approximately 20% of Americans who might not even recognize the effects of the unfortunate disease. Many think depression can be treated easily and even at times seek to blame those diagnosed with depression as bringing it upon themselves. However, what is misunderstood is that those with the mental disease need to be approached with care and treated immediately. It has the ability to overtake ones body and entire life. Depression inhibits one from being able to feel any sort of emotion whether they be good or bad. Persistent Depressive Disorder which is the mild or moderate form of depression that may last for at least 2 years versus Major Depressive Disorder

Some will argue it is developed through environmental factors and a person’s outlook on life, but other argue that it is completely hereditary. I think in todays society many people are susceptible to developing depression through their environment, especially with the recognizable influence of social media and the negative effect it has on teens, who are in a vulnerable state in their lives. The factors that play a major role in developing a depressive disorder are either developed through the environmental factors or through genetics. According to Aaron Beck a psychological factor associated with depression is how people think of themselves. As Beck explains “people and their environment play a major factor in the development of depression.” Factors such as trauma, stress, and childhood difficulties are some examples of how one could develop depression. According to an article written on allaboutdepression.com it states, “In studying how stressful events may lead to depression,

A person growing up with someone depressed may be more susceptible to the disease. Even activities that appear to be within the realms of typical depressed behavior may not be seen as unusual from a child growing up and seeing this as normal. Additionally, case studies have theorized that even gender may play a role in depression and how we may see it. Case studies have shown that women are at a greater likelihood of developing the hereditary disease than their male counterparts. Studies have also demonstrated that identical twins are more likely to develop depression over maternal twins, that is because identical twins are more likely to have the same chemical balance in their brains, which is not present in fraternal twins. Due to this, we are now understanding that our biological implications of this disease extend further than simple genetics and gender. According to an article on healthline.com, “Researchers have also linked serotonin to depression. Serotonin is the “feel good” chemical that allows communication between brain neurons.” Although it is labeled as the “feel-good” chemical, an imbalance of Serotonin levels in the brain is theorized to be the direct link to patients who suffers from