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Psychology Notes
Depression Revision

EXPLANATIONS OF DEPRESSION

BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

* GENETICS (McGuffin & Kendler) * BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS (Amine Hypothesis)

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

- PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORIES (Freud)
- COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THEORY (Seligman & Maier) – Learned Helplessness and Attributional style
- BEHAVIOURAL THEORY (Lewinsohn)
-COGNITIVE THEORY (Beck)

THERAPIES FOR DEPRESSIONS

BIOLOGICAL THERAPIES

* DRUGS (Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors & Tricyclic etc.) * ECT

PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES

* CBT (done by Beck) * PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY (Freud’s dream analysis etc. & IPT)

BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF DEPRESSION

Genetics

McGuffin = Found that MZ twins (identical) if one has unipolar depression the chances are 46% the other twin getting it as well. This stat is 60% in bipolar disorder.

Kendler = Idea of genetic predisposition to stress which was part of the DIATHESIS STRESS MODEL. VIRGINIA TWIN STUDY. When faced with negative life events if you had a twin with depression you were much more likely to become depressed yourself than a set of twins where neither of them were depressed.

* It could be that social learning theory is an explanation for depression and not genetics because commonly families live around each other so it could be this way in which depression is caused. * Reductionist theory (too simple) * Nature vs. Nurture (it is impossible to change the way you are)

Biochemical

Amine Hypothesis = It is suggested that a cause of depression is low levels of certain Monoamine Neurotransmitters such as SEROTONIN, NORADRENALINE AND DOPAMINE. The Biochemical explanation states that use of drugs such as MAOI’S and Serotonin prevents the reuptake thus causing the neurotransmitters to continue along the nerve pathway preventing depression.

+ Evidence shows these drugs to be effective to a certain extent.
_ They target the effects not the cause
- They are extremely reductionist ideas
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