How does biological psychologist explain depression?
Both the size of nerve cells and the number of their connections with other neurons are reduced. At the same time, depressive behavior is linked to overactivation of the hypothalamus, which coordinates the stress response, and overactivity of the amygdala, which signals threat and generates negative emotions..
What is the biological approach to treating depression?
Biological treatments for depression involve antidepressant drugs. Examples are MAOIs, tricyclics and SSRIs. These drugs work by changing the brain's chemistry, especially monoamines like serotonin and noradrenaline..
What is the biological perspective psychology on depression?
The biological factors that might have some effect on depression include: genes, hormones, and brain chemicals. Depression often runs in families, which suggests that individuals may inherit genes that make them vulnerable to developing depression..
What is the simply psychology biological explanation for depression?
Alternative explanation- biological explanation suggests depression is caused by a chemical imbalances-too much dopamine/ too little serotonin is thought to lead to depression. This theory is supported by the effective use of drug therapy (antidepressants) to treat depression..
Abnormal Psychology Mental health professionals in this branch of psychology assess, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression. Counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field.
The nerve cell connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are sometimes called the “depression circuit;” depression results when emotion-laden signals from the amygdala overpower the ability of the PFC to regulate the signals.
The takeaway. Many researchers believe there's no single gene that puts someone at risk for depression. It's more likely a combination of genes that lead to the disorder. The causes of bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders may also be traced to a combination of genetic factors.
Depression has been linked to problems or imbalances in the brain with regard to the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The evidence is somewhat indirect on these points because it is very difficult to actually measure the level of neurotransmitter in various brain regions of a person's brain.
Advances in Biology
Scientists have learned much about the biology of depression but their understanding is far from complete; major advances include finding links between specific parts of the brain and depression effects, discovering neurotransmitters make communication between brains cells possible, learning impact genetics/lifestyle events on risk/symptoms of depr.
Depression Causes
Depression is caused by many factors including faulty mood regulation, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events. It's believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression.
What are the biological reasons for depression?
Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including:
faulty mood regulation by the brain
genetic vulnerability
and stressful life events. It's believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression.
What are the biological symptoms of depression?
In most cases, depression involves the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors. The impact of biological factors seems to be more prominent in major depressive syndrome, where typical symptoms and signs such as:
decrease in weight
changes in libido
dysmenorrhea
and sleeping disorders cannot be explained on psychodynamic grounds alone. Some of the symptoms and signs typical of patients suffering from depression reflect a primary disorder of biochemical and neurophysiological ..
Biological psychology on depression
Pediatric depressive disorders
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by prolonged unhappiness or irritability. It is accompanied by a constellation of somatic and cognitive signs and symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, sleep problems, loss of appetite, loss of engagement, low self-regard/worthlessness, difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness, or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by prolonged unhappiness or irritability
Pediatric depressive disorders
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by prolonged unhappiness or irritability. It is accompanied by a constellation of somatic and cognitive signs and symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, sleep problems, loss of appetite, loss of engagement, low self-regard/worthlessness, difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness, or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
