Depression is the mental disorder associated with acedia and individual’s malfunctioning in multiple domains of life. The disorder interferes with social performance, cognitive development, academic or professional achievements. Thus, the research of various risk factors provoking the development of depression has many implications for the exposed individuals, and it is important for the design of effective intervention practices.
According to recent statistics, over one million of Australian citizens suffered from depression by 2013 (White Cloud Foundation 2013). It is observed that the disorder development is more common among the young people, and it declines with age. In this way, the young Australians suffer from depression symptoms five times more often than the elderly citizens: one of the four individuals between 16 and 24 are at the risk of depression manifestation (Mental Health Council of Australia n.d.). In Australia, depression creates one of the highest burdens among the non-fatal disorders, and nearly 50% of exposed individuals fail to receive medical treatment (Black Dog Institute 2012). Many people do not address for professional help because they perceive depression as a psychosocial phenomenon and do not aware of the biological factors which may provoke its development (Pilkington, Reavley & Jorm 2013).
Biological Factors
In attempts to identify the biological causes of depression, the researchers focus on the analysis of brain functioning, chemical mediators, their correlations with the neurologic centers in the brain, and impact on the limbic system which is responsible for the regulation of emotions, feelings, reaction to stress, and physiological stimuli (Gatt et al. 2010). Every individual has hundreds of chemical mediators, but only three biogenic amines are associated with depression: norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The mediators function in the brain lobes which may be exposed to damage in the state of depressive disorder. The chemical mediators are contained in the neurologic circuits of the brain, and it is observed that a low level of dopamine or serotonin may provoke depression (Gatt et al. 2010). Nevertheless, the researchers did not yet come to a solid conclusion in the investigation of mediators’ functioning – depression may occur as a result of changes in mediators’ content, or the disorder itself provokes these changes. The scientists tend to believe that the biochemical processes in the brain are inevitably reflected in human behavior and vice versa.
The researchers also continue to accumulate evidence showing the heritable characteristics of the disease. The cases of depression in the family history increase the risk of its development. The hereditary factor of bipolar depression manifestation is proved by the statistical data – over 50% of exposed patients have at least one of the parents with emotional and mental problems which can be considered the symptoms of severe depression (Savitz et al. 2008).
Other biological factors of mental disorder occurrence include neuroendocrine regulations (thyroid dysfunction or adrenal gland dysfunction, etc.) associated with malfunctions of hormone emissions; long-term alcohol or drug abuse; and physical diseases that may lead to changes in chemical reactions in the brain (AIDS, Anemia, hyper/hypothyroidism, chronic infections, diabetes, malignant tumors, etc.) (Howland 2010; Tsirogianni et al. 2010).
Treatment
The manifestation of depressive symptoms depends on individual characteristics of the patients and requires thorough examination. Before the implementation of intervention practices, a professional needs to detect the potential premises of the problem and include the medical methods targeting the causes of depression. If depressive symptoms are regarded as the side effects of endocrine malfunction or other physical disorders, the medical treatment is suggested. Along with the pharmaceutical treatment the patients can be prescribed with the cognitive and behavioral therapies (Mejia-Castrejon & Landa-Ramirez 2014). The cognitive and behavioral therapies are proved to be effective methods of treatment in both general population and patients with various physical diseases such as cancer – they help to raise patients’ awareness, increase acceptance of healthier lifestyles, and enhance the quality of life.
Reference List
Black Dog Institute 2012, Facts and figures about mental health and mood disorders, Web.
Gatt, J, Nemeroff, C, Schofield, P, Paul, R, Clark, C, Gordon, E & Williams, L 2010, ‘Early life stress combined with serotonin 3A receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor valine 66 to methionine genotypes impacts emotional brain and arousal correlates of risk for depression’, Biological Psychiatry, vol. 68, no. 9, pp. 818-824.
Howland, R 2010, ‘Use of endocrine hormones for treating depression’, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, vol. 48, no. 12, pp. 13-16.
Mejia-Castrejon, J & Landa-Ramirez, E 2014, ‘Cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIB: a 1-year follow-up’, Case Reports, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 42.
Mental Health Council of Australia n.d., Statistics on mental health, Web.
Pilkington, P, Reavley, N, & Jorm, A 2013, ‘The Australian public’s beliefs about the causes of depression: associated factors and changes over 16 years’, Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 150, no. 2, pp. 356-362.
Savitz, J, Merwe, L, Stein, D, Solms, M & Ramesar, R 2008, ‘Neuropsychological task performance in bipolar spectrum illness: genetics, alcohol abuse, medication and childhood trauma’, Bipolar Disorders, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 479-494.
Tsirogianni, E, Kouniakis, F, Baltatzi, M, Lavrentiadis, G, & Alevizos, M 2010, ‘Biological factors associated with depression in patients with type ΙΙ diabetes mellitus’, PsychiatrikeÌ„ = Psychiatriki, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 115-125.
White Cloud Foundation 2013, Depression facts, Web.