A critical evaluation of how the biological basis of major depression can be explained by examining the pharmacological actions of antidepressant drugs
Critically evaluate how the biological basis of major depression can be explained by examining the pharmacological actions of antidepressant drugs
Major depression is a severe, recurrent and disabling mental disorder usually characterized by a constant sense of hopelessness and despair, coupled with low self esteem and a loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities. In the US, 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and roughly 60% of people that commit suicide have some form of depression (Barlow, 2005). It has been proposed that the causes of major depression include biological, psychological and social factors (Santrock, 2007), with most biological theories focusing on serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, the monoamine chemicals present in the brain that assist communication between nerve cells. There are several forms of treatment for major depression, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants. In people with mild to moderate depression, the effects of antidepressants are very minimal, however they can have significant effects in people with a more severe form (Arif et al, 2012).
Depression occurs due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, with chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine (neurotransmitters that improve mood and emotion) being low in the brain (most prevalently in the limbic system and upper brainstem) during major depressive episodes. Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the limbic system, which they do by blocking various aspects of the synaptic transmission process. However, because some of the neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine are contained in neural pathways in other parts of the brain, side effects can occur with some antidepressants and they can interfere with other functions such as appetite and sleep. There are several different types of antidepressants which are classified according to which transmitters they affect and how they affect them. Some of
Major depression is a severe, recurrent and disabling mental disorder usually characterized by a constant sense of hopelessness and despair, coupled with low self esteem and a loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities. In the US, 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and roughly 60% of people that commit suicide have some form of depression (Barlow, 2005). It has been proposed that the causes of major depression include biological, psychological and social factors (Santrock, 2007), with most biological theories focusing on serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, the monoamine chemicals present in the brain that assist communication between nerve cells. There are several forms of treatment for major depression, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants. In people with mild to moderate depression, the effects of antidepressants are very minimal, however they can have significant effects in people with a more severe form (Arif et al, 2012).
Depression occurs due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, with chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine (neurotransmitters that improve mood and emotion) being low in the brain (most prevalently in the limbic system and upper brainstem) during major depressive episodes. Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the limbic system, which they do by blocking various aspects of the synaptic transmission process. However, because some of the neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine are contained in neural pathways in other parts of the brain, side effects can occur with some antidepressants and they can interfere with other functions such as appetite and sleep. There are several different types of antidepressants which are classified according to which transmitters they affect and how they affect them. Some of