Depression Theories
Many theories about depression have been proposed. Some are more scientific than others, but all are valuable in their own way.
For example, Seligman’s “learned helplessness” theory explains the downward spiral of depression by arguing that people give up trying to influence their environment because they believe that there is nothing they can do about a situation.
Demystifying Depression Causes
Depression is a complex, life-altering mental illness that affects the way you feel, think and handle daily activities. It can cause a variety of symptoms including sadness, loss of interest in your favourite activities, sleep disturbances, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, low energy, changes in appetite, indecisiveness, aches and pains and self-harm thoughts and actions. It is normal to have these feelings from time to time, but if they persist and interfere with your everyday functioning then it may be time to seek professional help.
There is no single cause of depression but a combination of factors, such as genetics, early life experiences, personality traits and lifestyle choices. It can be triggered by a major upsetting event or a series of events, such as the death of a loved one, a breakup of a relationship, financial problems, a serious illness, and/or a negative change in your self-esteem or mood. It is also possible that a family history of depression increases your risk of developing the disorder.
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One theory of depression suggests that it is a response to a long-term internal and external conflict. This is based on the idea that depression occurs when your needs for belonging and self-esteem are unmet on a consistent basis. Over time, the social rejection you experience becomes internalized as self-rejection, making the conflict seem inescapable. Feelings of worthlessness, a sense of powerlessness and excessive rumination are characteristic of this model of depression. The theory of diathesis-stress also argues that people who are at a higher risk for depression tend to have certain personality traits or beliefs, which make them more vulnerable to the disorder.
These include:
Biological Theories and Depressive States
The brain has several chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, which communicate with other parts of the body and with each other. The most important neurotransmitter in the brain is serotonin, which regulates many physiological functions such as sleep, eating and sexual behavior. When the levels of serotonin are low, this leads to depression in some people.
Another major cause of depression is the deficiency of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which causes feelings of sadness and irritability. Researchers have found that people who suffer from depressive episodes have fewer norepinephrinergic neurons in certain areas of their brains than other people.
Psychological theories and Depressive States
The idea behind a mental health condition like depression is that it is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. The underlying causes can be complex, so understanding them is important.
Having the right support for your condition can help you overcome these problems. However, the cause of depression is not entirely understood, so we need to figure out what makes it happen in order to find effective treatments.
Some factors that increase the risk of depression include:
A family history of depression – depression is more common in people with a family history of it. There are also many other inherited characteristics associated with depression, such as a tendency towards impulsive behavior and low self-esteem.
1) Psychological causes – depression has many different psychological triggers and can be triggered by life events such as grief, loss or illness. It can also be triggered by lifestyle and social factors. In particular, significant adverse life events such as losing a job, or going through a breakup or divorce, or having a child, can increase the risk of depression.
2) Biological causes – depression is a brain disease, and the causes of depression are linked to faulty mood regulation in the brain. Biological factors, such as brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, etc.) and abnormal brain structures, have been linked to depression.
These are the neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft to transmit a nerve impulse from one neuron to another. Low levels of these chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, can cause a number of symptoms, including feelings of sadness and depression.
1) Genetics – Studies have shown that genetics can be a factor in whether or not a person will suffer from a depressive episode. However, genetics alone aren’t sufficient to trigger depression.
2) Negative thoughts and beliefs – Many people with depression have negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves, the world, or their future. These beliefs can be reinforcing or counterproductive, and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. For example, someone might have a belief that their job will always be there for them, even if it isn’t.
3) Fairness fallacy – This is the idea that things should be done in a fair way, even if they aren’t. It can lead to feeling that you are being treated unfairly by others, and can be particularly damaging when you have a mental health problem.
4) Rejection – According to social psychologist Wendy Treynor, depression often starts when one is trapped in a situation where they are continuously rejected by others for failing to meet certain standards. This rejection eventually becomes internalized into self-rejection, and the chronic conflict leads to depression.
Symptoms of depression can include feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, as well as changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Other symptoms include anxiety, indecisiveness, restlessness, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, low energy and concentration, and feelings of worthlessness.
1) Diathesis-stress model – This theory, which has been widely accepted in clinical practice, proposes that depression is triggered by a combination of negative life events (e.g., the death of a loved one) and vulnerability factors that make an individual more susceptible to depressive episodes. Psychological theories also consider the impact of psychological traits such as high or low self-esteem and overly critical thinking, as well as other personality characteristics and developmental origins.
2) Genetics – Depression has been linked to genes, although scientists don’t know why certain people are more likely to develop it than others. However, they do think that some people have genetic predispositions to certain types of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It is also possible to pass down depression from parents to their children.
3) Neurotransmitters – Research suggests that the levels of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that send signals between nerve cells, may play a role in depression. These include serotonin and norepinephrine.
4) Other factors – The level of stress in an individual’s life, whether they have many friends or social activities and their lifestyle can be a factor in the development of depression.
Exploring Biological Theories of Depression
Depression is an affliction that can be debilitating. It causes an overwhelming sadness and hopelessness that can lead to feelings of emptiness and helplessness. It can cause an increase or decrease in appetite, changes in sleep patterns and other physical symptoms. The underlying cause of depression is the result of many factors, including genetics, lifestyle and other environmental influences. Psychologists and psychiatrists have a range of theories to explain the causes of depression. Some of these involve the role of negative thinking patterns and beliefs, while others take a more biological approach and examine the influence of hormones and neurotransmitters.
One of the earliest and most prominent theories of depression is Sigmund Freud’s “Mourning and Melancholia.” This theory suggests that there are two forms of depression: mourning, which occurs after a loss and includes intense sadness but not feelings of guilt or self-reproach; and melancholia, which can be triggered by a traumatic experience and is characterised by feelings of self-recrimination, self-deprecation and a sense of helplessness. Today, the most common etiology of depression is considered to be negative cognitions, such as hopelessness and worthlessness. These can be exacerbated by the inability to enjoy pleasurable activities and by feelings of inefficacy or inadequacy.
Negative cognitions can be induced by a variety of life events, such as the death of a loved one, a relationship breakup or a financial crisis. They can also be the result of maladaptive behaviors, such as weeping or complaining. These negative behaviors can alienate friends and family, leading to less reinforcement and a vicious cycle of sadness. Psychological theories of depression also include Beck’s negative cognitive triad and Seligman’s learned helplessness model, which focuses on the way people think and believe to maintain their symptoms.
Neurotransmitters act as chemical relayers, allowing nerve cells to communicate with each other and with the rest of the body. The neurons send out electrical impulses that can be converted to bursts of neurotransmitters such as serotonin or noradrenaline. These chemicals then travel across a tiny space called a synapse, where they are received by the receptors on the neuron’s neighbor.
Cognitive Approaches to Depression
One major group of depression theories focuses on internal processes and thought patterns that contribute to depression. These cognitive theories posit that people are prone to depressive emotions and symptomatology because of their negative thought patterns and beliefs about themselves, the world and their future. For example, Beck’s cognitive triad proposes that distorted thoughts and core irrational beliefs are prominent features of depression.
Another well-known theory is social learning. It proposes that depression results from the removal of positive reinforcement by others. This can occur because of a loss (such as the death of a loved one), or by a situation that limits the opportunity for positive reinforcement, such as losing a job. Sigmund Freud’s mourning and melancholia model of depression proposes that loss or a lack of positive reinforcement leads to feelings of sadness, self-reproach and hopelessness.
Other cognitive theories focus on memory and attention. For instance, some researchers have found that depressed people tend to have an attention bias for negative material (e.g., Ellis & Ashbrook 1988). This bias is believed to result from the allocation of cognitive resources to task-irrelevant emotional processing during depression. Other studies have also found that depressed people show deficits in effortful aspects of memory tasks, such as recall and recognition (e.g., Hertel & Rude 1991).
The diathesis-stress model of depression (Kanfer 1970) suggests that the onset of depression is due to a combination of life events and vulnerability factors, called a “diathesis,” that make someone susceptible to depression. These include negative appraisals of a situation, inaccurate attributions of responsibility for the event and insufficient self-reinforcement. This is believed to lead to a vicious cycle in which the person avoids activities that would provide positive reinforcement and instead spends time weeping and complaining, thus alienating close friends and family members.
Psychodynamic Theories and Depression
Psychodynamic theories, such as Sigmund Freud’s, emphasize unconscious mental processes and the role of childhood experiences in shaping adult personality. Although some of the concepts have not held up well to empirical scrutiny, the psychodynamic approach has influenced many different areas of contemporary psychology.
For example, Freud believed that depression may represent repressed anger turned inward; that is, when someone feels they have been harmed or mistreated, rather than expressing their rage at the offender, they become depressed and turn this repressed anger onto themselves. This self-deprecating pattern leads to an inability to engage with other people and, ultimately, a sense of helplessness.
Depression is also seen as a consequence of a lack of psychic development and a failure to develop healthy attachments to others. This can be due to negative family dynamics, childhood trauma, or the absence of a loving relationship with an important figure in a person’s life. Psychodynamic therapy helps to uncover feelings that are unrecognized and explore how these past experiences and subconscious conflicts contribute to a person’s depression.
Unlike CBT and IPT, which follow a set weekly plan of activities, psychodynamic therapy is open-ended. The therapist will listen to what you have to say without interrupting and then offer his or her opinions only when necessary. This open-ended dialogue allows clients to gain greater insight into their patterns of feelings and behaviors and how the past influences the present. This kind of deeper exploration can lead to a more complete understanding of why you are feeling the way you do and can help you identify psychological resources that can relieve your symptoms going forward. Psychodynamic therapy can also promote long-term remission of depression and is a viable treatment option to consider alongside other therapies.
Sociocultural Views on Depression
Depression can cause a variety of negative effects. It can affect a person’s relationships, including one-on-one interactions with family and friends. A depressed individual might feel like people will reject them, resulting in feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Depression can also impact a person’s work and study performance. People who are at higher risk for depression include those with lower household incomes, women, and younger adults.
Depression is affected by unconscious processes that are not easily recognizable or understood. These processes are influenced by an individual’s cultural background and beliefs. It is important to consider the influence of these cultural beliefs when treating a patient with depression.
For example, a person might have a difficult time talking about their feelings with their doctor because of the cultural beliefs they hold. They may think they are imagining their symptoms, or that it is normal to have these feelings. This can result in a delayed diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Another cultural factor that influences depression is how a person views his or her role in society. Some cultures are more individualistic, while others are more collectivistic. Individualistic cultures encourage a focus on personal achievement and success. Collectivistic cultures, however, may place more emphasis on the well-being of the family or community at large. Individuals in these cultures may feel less frustrated by failures to reach goals because they do not feel as if they have let themselves down.
Depression can have a significant impact on an individual’s social life and job performance. Despite the increased availability of antidepressants, some individuals are unable to find adequate treatment for their condition due to societal stigma. Depression is especially prevalent among people with less education, who have experienced multiple stressors in their lives, and those living at lower household incomes.
Final Thoughts Depression Theories
Depression is an intricate condition that weaves together a myriad of factors and theories to form its complex tapestry. From the overview of the article, it is evident that depression does not originate from a singular source but rather a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors.
Genetically, depression may be passed down from generation to generation, though this predisposition doesn’t guarantee the onset of the condition. This aligns with the diathesis-stress model, suggesting that an inherent vulnerability coupled with significant life stressors can lead to depressive episodes.
Biological theories spotlight the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine in the onset of depression. When these neurotransmitters are in deficiency, depressive symptoms may surface. This underscores the fact that depression is indeed a brain disease, not a simple case of “bad mood” or momentary sadness.
From a psychological standpoint, depression can be seen as a reflection of negative thought patterns and beliefs about oneself, the world, and the future. Prominent theories, such as Beck’s negative cognitive triad and Seligman’s “learned helplessness” theory, highlight the cognitive aspects of depression and their impact on individuals’ behavior and emotions.
Interestingly, the social learning theory posits that depression could stem from the removal of positive reinforcement by others, while Freud’s theory suggests that repression and internal conflict play significant roles in the emergence of depressive symptoms. These theories emphasize the powerful influence of social and environmental factors, and personal interpretations of these events, in shaping mental health.
Sociocultural viewpoints on depression stress that cultural backgrounds and beliefs significantly shape how individuals interpret and express their depressive feelings. Cultural factors can also influence how individuals seek and respond to treatment, therefore demanding a culturally sensitive approach to treatment.
In conclusion, this multifaceted exploration of depression theories serves as a reminder that understanding and treating depression calls for a comprehensive approach that takes into account genetic, biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Despite the strides made in depression research and the development of numerous effective treatments, the struggle continues to find adequate help for all who suffer from depression, particularly in light of societal stigma and socio-economic barriers. Future research and policy efforts should aim to address these challenges and ensure mental health support for all who need it.
