 |
Biology of Depression
Author: Grant Eckert  | Posted: 08-12-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 33 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
Depression is a severe and crippling emotional disorder that afflicts some 10-15% of the population worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. While there are many varieties of the disorder, the principal characteristics of the illness remain the same: a reduced level of self-esteem; lack of energy or interest in daily activities; reduced social functioning and damage to personal relationships; changes in appetite and weight; and gloomy and often suicidal thoughts and actions.
At one time, depression was seen as being solely the result of environmental factors such as upbringing, trauma, and stress. Research in the last few decades, however, has begun to reveal that depression has a strong biological basis that interacts with environmental factors to bring on the condition. While the exact interrelationship of these factors is still not fully understood, the research has led to breakthroughs in the use of medications and other treatments that can help depression sufferers lead productive and satisfying lives.
Understanding the biological basis of depression requires a look at how the normal brain operates. Within the brain, special chemicals called neurotransmitters carry out many important functions as they help transfer messages throughout the brain's nerve cells, called neurons. We each have somewhere between 10-100 billion neurons within our brains. Whenever we do anything, react, feel emotions, or think, our neurons transmit messages in the form of electrical impulses from one cell to another in about 1/5,000 of a second. Because they move so quickly, our brains can react instantaneously to stimuli such as pain.
Neurotransmitters travel from neuron to neuron in an orderly fashion. They are specifically shaped so that after they pass from a neuron into the synapse, they can be received onto certain receptors, on a neighboring neuron. Neurotransmitters can fit a number of different receptors, but receptor sites can only receive specific types of neurotransmitters. Upon landing at the receptor site of neuron, the chemical message of the neurotransmitter may either be changed into an electrical impulse and continue on its way through the next neuron, or it may stop where it is. In either case the neurotransmitter releases from the receptor site and floats back into the synapse. It is then removed from the synapse in one of two ways. The neurotransmitter may be broken down by a chemical called monoamine oxidase, or it may be taken back in by the neuron that originally released it, via a process called reuptake.
Of the 30 or so neurotransmitters that have been identified, researchers have discovered associations between clinical depression and the function of three primary neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These function within the limbic structures and hypothalamus – those sections of the brain that regulate emotions, reactions to stress, sleep, appetite, and sexuality.
It is at this point that the research on the exact mechanisms of depression is incomplete. Scientists have been trying to unlock the secret behind clinical depression by trying to understand the way in which antidepressants work on this process to elevate mood and reduce symptoms. In a way that is not clearly understood, antidepressants seem to affect that way that the neurons in the brain deal with their “used” neurotransmitters. Some (the MAOI, or monoamine oxidase inhibitor category of drugs) seem to work by lowering the amounts of the chemical that breaks down certain neurotransmitters; others (the SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) seem to reduce the amount of serotonin that is taken back into the cells, thus freeing more to help elevate mood. Neither mechanism is fully understood. Also, research continues to increase knowledge and effectiveness of these drugs.
While medications are important, it is important to know that there are non-medication approaches to changing this biochemistry. Just as diabetes requires both a medication and a behavioral approach, depression is best fought with a combination of behavioral change and medication. Things like regular exercise and a proper diet (carbohydrates in particular are thought to affect this chemistry) as well as maintaining regular routines around sleep and meals seem to have a positive effect on the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Research indicates that there may be a genetic component in how susceptible an individual is to depression, although a strong causal link has not been shown and no treatments based on this fact currently exist.
Therapy, of course, helps an individual to learn to cope with the crushing thoughts and moods of depression, and is a major part of the treatment of the condition. It is important to understand that all of these approaches, used in tandem, can directly improve the body's ability to function in spite of the effect of the biochemistry. Depression, while a serious condition, can be controlled if the person takes all these factors into account.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/biology-of-depression-277871.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
An Introduction to Seasonal Affective Disorder-sad
By: Craig Smith | 01/01/2008 | Women's Health
Seasonal Affective Disorder (or S.A.D. for short) is a very real health condition that millions of people suffer from. The onset of S.A.D. typically occurs in the last few months of the year,
How Anxiety and Depression are Connected
By: Stephanie Larkin | 13/02/2008 | Mental Health
Depression is a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention. Depressed people are often told to "cheer up" or to "look at the bright side" of things, and may spiral even deeper when they are unable to simply snap out of the mood that has such a hold on them. While depression can often lead to fatigue and listlessness, it has a close cousin by the name of anxiety. Anxiety causes the opposite effect, putting our bodies into the "fight or flight" mode that protected us in the wild.
An Introduction to Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation
By: Megan Hazel | 17/03/2008 | Mental Health
People who are mentally ill also seem to be chronically afraid of hospitals, or at least seem to want to avoid medical attention in a hospital setting. Looking at it from the perspective of someone who is confused or otherwise mentally unstable, the sterile and instrument-laden halls of a hospital are indeed terrifying, and can even be considered "creepy" by a person who is not suffering from a mental condition.
How to Avoid Panic Attacks
By: Craig Elliott | 17/03/2008 | Mental Health
Anyone who has ever had a panic attack knows how life stopping these events can feel. A panic attack can seriously hurt your quality of life by causing you become terrified of a repeat episode. This terror is just another negative side effect of panic attacks, and you should learn to think of it as such so that you can get on with your life without the constant fear of a panic attack hanging over your head.
Young Adults and Mental Illness-what are the Warning Signs?
By: Craig Elliott | 17/03/2008 | Mental Health
Mental illness is not just an affliction that you are born with; mental illnesses can develop over time, whether as something that was predestined to occur or as an illness that develops over time.
Depression and Pregnancy-what is the Connection?
By: Craig Smith | 08/12/2007 | Mental Health
At one time, doctors believed that the hormones associated with pregnancy were a good protection against depression. In more recent years, however, there has been a growing body of evidence that depression during pregnancy is a serious problem, affecting 10-20% of all women - the same proportion that women as whole suffer without adding pregnancy into the equation.
Teen Depression-warning Signs to Watch for
By: Stephanie Larkin | 08/12/2007 | Mental Health
If you have a teenager, then you should know how to watch out for teen depression, which can be easily discounted by parents as drama, and which can claim the life of your child.
Acupuncture - an Effective Depression Remedy?
By: Craig Elliott | 01/01/2008 | Women's Health
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine - dating back to around 8,000 years ago in ancient China. Acupuncture is the art of inserting tiny needles into specific places on the body and can cure many different ailments including asthma,
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Mental Health Articles
Cure Shyness Fast-ways That Helped Me Cure My Shyness
By: Valeri Tkatchenko | 29/08/2008
I was once a very shy individual but i found some excellent tips and guides to help cure shyness! Now i am completely shyness free and sharing my success and tips with other people that would like to cure their shyness
Conversational Hypnosis Principle in Hypnotic Language
By: Harry Wilhelm | 28/08/2008
Conversational Hypnosis is an art that is mostly made up of language and the ways in which you can use that language in order to impact lives in a positive manner. Then the key tool of conversational hypnosis is the language you will use, which also called Hypnotic Language.
Steps to Relaxing Your Muscle
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
The process of applying tension to a muscle is essentially the same regardless of which muscle group you are using. First, focus your mind on the muscle group; for example, your right hand. Then inhale and simply squeeze the muscles as hard as you can for about 8 seconds; in the example, this would involve
Statements to Combat Panic Attacks
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
When you feel yourself just beginning to become panicky, try telling yourself one of the following:
Some Phobias in the Past
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
Back in the heydays of philosophy when medicine was not a very organized curative discipline, people were often detected with such fretting disorders. It lay upon the philosophers to unwind the complications and to unearth the exact causes behind.
Some Facts About Spiders
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
A lot of people fear spiders because some of them are poisonous. Other people fear the thought of being bitten. Let's explore spiders in general and give you some facts about common spiders. Though spiders have simple eyes, they usually are not well developed. Instead, spiders use vibrations, which they can
Relaxation Techniques to Help With Phobias
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
There are several techniques that you can use to relax effectively. They can be used all the time whenever you feel stressed out and need to "come down". Relaxation is especially effective when dealing with phobias and how you react to them. Here's a few we've found.
Overcoming and Beating Your Fears
By: Joan Shine | 27/08/2008
Why bother treating a phobia? People with untreated anxiety disorders may be more susceptible to other psychological disorders such as depression according to the American Psychological Association. The group also notes that relationships with family members, friends and coworkers can be strained, and job
More from Grant Eckert
Tips for Choosing a Coffee Maker
By: Grant Eckert | 09/01/2008 | Coffee
Many people think that choosing a coffee maker is simply going to the store and buying one, only to find out once they get there that there are a number of options available that they hadn't even considered.
The Rise of the One Cup Coffee Maker
By: Grant Eckert | 09/01/2008 | Coffee
A one cup coffee maker is a popular gift idea, mostly due to the varieties and flavors of coffee that are available.
Top Ten Questions to Ask Before a Home Inspection
By: Grant Eckert | 08/01/2008 | Real Estate
There are many things that you are going to want to ask before you have a home inspection. When it is time for you to begin preparations for your home inspection, there are probably all kinds of things that are flying around in your mind. Therefore, you want to take a moment and compose yourself, and get ready to make the most out of your home inspection.
The Importance of 2-way Radios During a Disaster
By: Grant Eckert | 08/01/2008 | Coaching
A disaster is chaos, by definition. Disasters result in confusion and misdirection. Many people want to help, but unfortunately, often add to the turmoil.
A Packing Checklist - Leave Nothing Behind
By: Grant Eckert | 08/01/2008 | Cruising
Packing for a trip, whether it's a weekend getaway or a three week cruise can be a stressful undertaking. It is easy to forget an essential item; and it always seems like there is never enough room in your luggage for everything you want to take.
How to Determine if you Need a Lawn Care Professional
By: Grant Eckert | 08/01/2008 | Gardening
Lawn care is simply mowing the lawn and raking the leaves, right? Who needs help with that? Lawn care is much more than that and even the mowing alone can keep a person busy during a good growing season. So, the real question becomes: How do I know when I need a lawn care professional?
Termite Treatment and Pets-what are the Risks?
By: Grant Eckert | 05/01/2008 | Home and Family
When you have termites, you know that you have a major problem in your home that you have to fix. You might be able to do this and you might be able to save your home. There are several treatments that you can do, and your exterminator will be able to help you decide which of these treatments is best for you.
Termite Treatment-which is Best for My Home?
By: Grant Eckert | 05/01/2008 | Home and Family
There are many things that you want to consider as you look at which of the termite treatments are going to be best for your home. First of all, you want to make sure that you are able to have the various termite treatments explained to you. The most popular treatment is usually spraying for the bugs, which will kill them.
|
|
Health 
