Neuroscience and Depression
Jessica Hess
Southern Connecticut State University
Depression is an affective mood disorder, which is a psychiatric disorder that involves a change of mood and emotion (Pinel, J, 2014). There are several different categories of depression. Major depression is a very familiar term and is the most well known form of depression. This is characterized by symptoms such as loss of interest and an inability to enjoy life and the cause remains unidentified. Another type of depression is postpartum depression which is a result of changes in hormone levels after giving birth. This is a type of persistent depression disorder which generally lasts for a period of two years. Two major categories of depression are …show more content…
An important component of this theory is that environmental stressors can be different depending on a person’s genes, which is also known as a predisposition. A particular gene, 5HTTLPR, was studied because of its involvement in the reuptake of serotonin to the brain. Researchers found that people can have one of two genes—“s” or “l.” participants who were found to have a double copy of the “s” gene were more likely to develop depression as an adult if they experienced childhood abuse or trauma. Those with only one “s” gene were less likely to develop depression under the same childhood circumstances. This is known as a low gene expression. Another gene, or allele, was discovered in relation to depression, the “l” gene is considered the high expression gene and these individuals are not likely to develop depression. The idea behind gene-environment theory is that a person’s particular set of genes can alter the likelihood of developing depression after experiencing stressful stimuli (Brummett, B., et. al, …show more content…
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts and behaviors and allows patients to be responsible for his or her own recovery. Clients are urged to pinpoint negative thoughts and behaviors and work with a therapist to change those target behaviors. Therapy works best when paired with medication. Antidepressants are prescribed to help get back the chemical balance in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters are decreased and antidepressants allow the synapses to contain the correct amount of neurotransmitters. There are two main drugs classes—monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters and the inhibitors increase serotonin and norepinephrine. Tricyclic antidepressants block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine which allows the levels of these neurotransmitters to increase in the brain. Another treatment exists, known as selective monoamine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This is considered an agonist because the reuptake of serotonin is blocked, increasing its level in the synapse (Pinel,
Jessica Hess
Southern Connecticut State University
Depression is an affective mood disorder, which is a psychiatric disorder that involves a change of mood and emotion (Pinel, J, 2014). There are several different categories of depression. Major depression is a very familiar term and is the most well known form of depression. This is characterized by symptoms such as loss of interest and an inability to enjoy life and the cause remains unidentified. Another type of depression is postpartum depression which is a result of changes in hormone levels after giving birth. This is a type of persistent depression disorder which generally lasts for a period of two years. Two major categories of depression are …show more content…
An important component of this theory is that environmental stressors can be different depending on a person’s genes, which is also known as a predisposition. A particular gene, 5HTTLPR, was studied because of its involvement in the reuptake of serotonin to the brain. Researchers found that people can have one of two genes—“s” or “l.” participants who were found to have a double copy of the “s” gene were more likely to develop depression as an adult if they experienced childhood abuse or trauma. Those with only one “s” gene were less likely to develop depression under the same childhood circumstances. This is known as a low gene expression. Another gene, or allele, was discovered in relation to depression, the “l” gene is considered the high expression gene and these individuals are not likely to develop depression. The idea behind gene-environment theory is that a person’s particular set of genes can alter the likelihood of developing depression after experiencing stressful stimuli (Brummett, B., et. al, …show more content…
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts and behaviors and allows patients to be responsible for his or her own recovery. Clients are urged to pinpoint negative thoughts and behaviors and work with a therapist to change those target behaviors. Therapy works best when paired with medication. Antidepressants are prescribed to help get back the chemical balance in the brain. Certain neurotransmitters are decreased and antidepressants allow the synapses to contain the correct amount of neurotransmitters. There are two main drugs classes—monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters and the inhibitors increase serotonin and norepinephrine. Tricyclic antidepressants block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine which allows the levels of these neurotransmitters to increase in the brain. Another treatment exists, known as selective monoamine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This is considered an agonist because the reuptake of serotonin is blocked, increasing its level in the synapse (Pinel,