Exploring the Biological Perspective on Depression Depression is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “a state of being depressed; a state of feeling sad. A psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness‚ inactivity‚ difficulty in thinking and concentration‚ a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping‚ feelings of dejection and hopelessness‚ and sometimes suicidal tendencies” (Merriam-Websters). Major depression affects over fifteen
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One biological explanation for unipolar depression is the monoamine hypothesis. The monoamines are a group of neurotransmitters which include serotonin‚ noradrenaline and dopamine. You will recognise the latter‚ dopamine‚ from the biological offering of an explanation for schizophrenia. The monoamines are believed to regulate mood. One of the functions of serotonin is to regulate the other neurotransmitters. Without the regulation provided by serotonin‚ erratic brain functioning and thinking patterns
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Biological Psychologists apply the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behaviour. They believe that the mind and the brain are the same and that thought processes and behaviour cannot occur without the operation of the central nervous system (CNS). This psychological theory says that an imbalance of chemicals in the brain can cause mental disorders such as bipolar disorder. Thought process and human behaviour have a biological basis and are influenced by both our genetic inheritance
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mental disease‚ which is what we normally call "depression". Women statistically are the majority group who is diagnosed each year with either anxiety or depression. It is nearly twice as many as men. In addition‚ they have some unique risk factors for the disorders; they are also facing some variations of depression specific to their sex (Dennis and Charles 147). There’re several major causes of depression that may occur in women involving biological (i.e. genetics‚ hormones)‚ social (social roles
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The biological perspective states that the brain uses a number of chemicals as messengers to communicate with other parts of itself and with the nervous system. These chemical messengers‚ called neurotransmitters‚ are released and received by the brain’s many nerve cells‚ which are also called neurons. Neurons are constantly communicating with each other by way of exchanging neurotransmitters. This communication system is essential to all of the brain’s functions. A tiny space called a synapse connects
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Evaluate the biological treatments of depression. (16 marks) Antidepressants such as monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and trycyclics (TCAs) are effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Antidepressants have been tested in trials with placebos and have found to be effective in reducing symptoms of severe depression in around 65% to 75% compared with around 33% for placebos – Gitlin 2002. Gitlin carried out a clinical trial testing selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and placebos
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may suggest Ralph’s depression is on a biological level but is also the result of the loss or rejection of a parent. Further‚ they might explain his depression as him grieving the loss of an important relationship‚ his marriage. The primary focus might be on past traumatic events or the psychologist might theorize his depression is simply an over-inflated ego. Problems with psychosexual development may also be identified and would need to be understood to overcome the depression. From the psychodynamic
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The biological approach can be used to explain many thing within health and social care‚ it can also be useful in diagnosing and treating service users‚ and is effective for practitioners to asses and help their patience within heath care and social care alike. The biological approach can have a positive impact on the service user because tests such as the assessment scale are available so that they can fully understand why there behaviour is the way it is‚ and also what is normal and abnormal for
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Outline and evaluate the biological approach to psychopathology The biological approach to psychopathology suggests that abnormal behaviour is caused or related to physical changes in the body. The biological approach suggest that the four following things cause physical disorders (abnormality) ; genes‚ biochemistry‚ neuroanatomy and viral infection. Psychologists have investigated the role in which gene’s play in abnormal behaviour. To do this the majority of psychologists use twins. It has been
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Describe and evaluate biological explanations of depression There are many different explanations for depression‚ including biological. Links have been found between biochemical‚ genetics and hormonal imbalances with depressed people. In the biochemical explanation‚ a link has been found between neurotransmitter imbalances and depression. Serotonin is associated with pleasure and mood. Mann et al found impaired transmission of serotonin in people with depression. However Julian disagrees with
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