Biological causes of depression

What are the genetic causes of depression? What is the physiological cause of depression? Great progress has been made in the understanding of brain function, the influence of neurotransmitters and hormones, and other biological processes, as well as how they may relate to the development of depression.

Patrick Hoesly Lots of research has been done on the causes of depression. WebMD explains what research has discovered about the causes of depression - from genetics to illnesses and medications to major life events. Depression is a complex disease.

Rather, there are many possible causes of depression , including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. Genetics can fall into this category as well. Having a first-degree relative—a parent, sibling, or child—with depression increases someone’s chances of also developing depression. This isn’t a guarantee, of course, and minimizing other depression causes can help negate heredity.

Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression , it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. In short, depression is a mental illness that is distinctly biological and there are several aspects of the biological causes that will be discussed. In determining the biological roots of depressive disorders, certain imaging techniques, such as MRI, can yield powerful insight into how our brains function and how depression , on a chemical and.

In studies of the impact of psychosocial adversity during childhood on the risk of adult depression , it is often difficult to separate the effects of genes from those of the environment.

The fact is, despite decades of research into this question, scientists at the U. National Institute of Mental Health and research. While the exact cause of depression is unknown, it has been suggested that a combination of biological factors and environmental stressors contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder 2. For example, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep—the stage in which dreaming occurs—may be quick to arrive and intense in depressed people. Each type of depression is associated with different mixtures of causes. For psychotic or melancholic depression , physical and biological factors are relevant.

The document has moved here. Treatment solutions will be tailored to your specific case since causes and symptoms of depression can vary. Exercise, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and sticking with a routine can help keep.

One of the most popular theories for biological causes of anxiety (and depression ), is the chemical imbalance theory. The biological aspect of depression is very closely related to the genetic one, since an individual’s genes will influence the biological working of his or her body. Scientists believe that depression may also be caused by an imbalance in the important neurotransmitters of the brain. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder remains unknown.

Some factors that may come into play include: Your biological clock (circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. A number of genetic, biological , environmental and psychological factors play a role in depression.

Learn more about the possible causes. Biological Factors The biological factors that might have some effect on depression include: genes, ho rmones, and brain chemicals. Health problems, in general, especially those of chronic illness or disability can prompt depression in women , as can medical life changes – such as frequent dieting and smoking cessation. Women are more prone to psychological causes of depression than men.

The paper will specifically focus on the biological causes of depression , where a conclusion will be provided at the end. Summary of Scholarly Sources. Primary sources have been utilized in this paper. There have been claims that biological factors do not necessarily result in depression , and that it depends with the environment one is in.

Different causes can often combine to trigger depression. We are not certain what causes depression. For example, you may feel low after being ill and then experience a traumatic event, such as a bereavement, which brings on depression.

People often talk about a downward spiral of events that leads to depression. These triggers are known to cause or contribute to neurotransmitter imbalances. Kandel’s admirable article makes “ depression ” the subject of psychiatry’s new biological approach for.