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The Origin of Depression & Treatments

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects a persons ability to function in the world. When a person loses interest in their daily activities, and in severe cases, becomes preoccupied with death, this is evidence that this person is depressed.

  1. Originating Factors

    • Depression originates with biochemical, environmental, genetic and psychological factors. There is no single originating factor. Trauma may also cause depression. In brain-imaging of people with depression, the centers for mood, sleep, appetite, thinking and behavior were shown to be abnormal.

    SSRI

    • There is more than one kind of medication available to treat depression. One such medication is called an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Fluoxetine, Citalopram and Sertraline are all examples of SSRIs and treat depression by preventing the brain from re-absorbing serotonin. By keeping the serotonin around longer, moods will be better.

    SNRI

    • Another kind of medicinal treatment is the SNRI (serotonin and norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors) category. This class of medicine includes Venlafaxine and Duloxetine. Much like SSRIs, this class of medication works by ensuring that both serotonin and norephinephrine remain in the brain to keep the mood high.

    Psychotherapy

    • Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is also a treatment for depression. There are two major kinds of talk therapy; one is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the other is interpersonal therapy (IPT). CBT helps people interrupt patterns of negative thinking and behavior, and IPT helps people work through their relationship problems. Both kinds of therapy aim to achieve more positive outcomes and a better state of mind.

    Electroconvulsive Therapy

    • Electroconsulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for treatment-resistant depression or people suffering from severe depression, and involves sedation and electric impulses to the brain. Though it has a bad reputation, in recent years it has become much more humane and some people find success with ECT.

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