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Biological Explanation for Depression & Anxiety

Depression is a mental illness that many people throughout the world have experienced at one time or another. Although its causes are not entirely understood, researchers have identified certain biological explanations, namely of the neuro-functioning variety, amongst other environmental and genetic factors.

  1. Nuerotransmitters

    • Neurotransmitters are natural substances which aid in the communication between one brain cell and another. To put it another way, these neurotransmitters are an integral part in the proper coding and decoding of neurological messages. Specifically, researchers have identified that serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are three transmitters which are often imbalanced in depressed people.

    Conclusion/symptoms

    • Scientists have concluded that irregular serotonin levels contribute to sleep problems, irritability, and anxiety. A lack of norepinephrine, which usually regulates arousal and alertness, is associated with fatigue and a depressed mood. The effects of irregular dopamine levels are much of the same.

    Chicken or the Egg?

    • Scientists are not sure whether irregular levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine systems are a cause of depression or if depression itself is a culprit for the irregular levels of these neurotransmitters.

    Possible Factors

    • Cortisol is a hormone produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical gland during times a stress. Although conclusive evidence has yet to be found, scientists have tested that 50% of patients diagnosed with depression were shown to have hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis, thus resulting in an increased production of cortisol.

    Treatments and Solutions

    • There is no single cure for clinical depression, especially when depression itself varies in severity. However, there are several types of prescription drugs that have shown effectiveness against this illness; SSRIs(Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors) or SNRI(serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) work by restoring the proper levels of the serotonin and or norepinephrine transmitters. Common brand names include Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, or Cymbalta. Medication is most effective in conjunction with psychological therapy.

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