Biological Approach to Depression The biological approach is based on the idea that depression has a physical or organic cause. One explanation suggests that some people are simply more genetically inclined to develop depression‚ as Hecimovic suggested that it was caused by a mutation in the 5-HTT gene‚ which was responsible for coding for serotonin production‚ and that this mutation is inherited. Family studies‚ twin studies and adoption studies have all helped support the role of genetics in
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AO1 2 Types – Genetic and Biochemical Genetic – depression seems to run in families and a number of studies have shown a correlation between the biological closeness of the relationship and the likelihood of developing depression. Biochemical imbalances in neurotransmitters cause depression; most notably noradrenalin‚ serotonin according to the permissive amine theory is a controller and dopamine. Interruption in the transmission of nervous impulses Hormones – high levels of cortisol – overactive
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Depression Diagnosis and classification of depression Depression is classified under the DSM as a mood disorder. Most depressed individuals will suffer from only one type of depression (unipolar)‚ whereas others may experience states of mania that alternate with depression (bipolar). Comer (2001) claimed depression is ‘a low‚ sad state marked by significant levels of sadness‚ lack of energy‚ low self-worth‚ guilt or related symptoms’. Diagnosis requires the presence of 5 of the following
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The Biological Approach to Unipolar Depression. Katie Evans Abnormal behaviour was once thought to be caused by supernatural possession; this demonological model of abnormality was especially popular in the Middle Ages. It was not until the 18th century that psychologists began to argue that this behaviour should be treated as an illness and medical techniques could be used to treat it; and so emerged the medical model of abnormality. (Gross & McIlveen‚ 1996)1 The medical model of abnormal psychology
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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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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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psychology P1 Depression is a mental disorder often caused by the chemical imbalance of the brain. The symptoms vary from person to person when their diagnosed with depression. The symptoms are feeling hopeless and helpless‚ a lack of self-esteem‚ find everything less enjoyable‚ difficulty making decisions‚ having suicidal thoughts and harming one self and etc. Biological approach - Depression Depression can be common between families and past onto generations‚ however there can be other biological effects
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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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