Depression
A person with depression must have at least five of nine symptoms in the DSM-IV-TR for two weeks. There are many theories of the causes of depression:
(1.) Psychoanalytic theories - internal conflicts and a low self-image leading to anger turned inward.
(2.) Behavioral theories - disruptions of normal reinforcement patterns brought on by stressors.
(3.) Cognitive theories - cognitive distortions and/or cognitive errors and a person's mistaken underlying assumptions.
(4.) Humanistic theories - a slavish concern with expectations and values from others leads away from genuineness and wholeness in the person.
(5.) Biopsychosocial models - psychological, biological, and social factors play a role in depression. An outgrowth is the diathesis -- stress model that asserts that depression occurs as a result of a preexisting vulnerability (diathesis) triggered by stressful life events. The diathesis can be biological, psychological, or both.
(6.) Biological models - an imbalance of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine).
Research on depression has favored cognitive and biological theories although this does not substantiate them as the only valid explanations (Lauber, Falcato, Nordt, & Rossler, 2003). The outgrowth of biological models of depression has led to the development of numerous drugs for treatment. These drugs generally fall into three classes:
(1.) MAO inhibitors work by reducing monoamine oxidase which breaks down the neurotransmitters believed to be lacking in the brains of depressed people. Potentially fatal side effects can occur from eating foods with the amino acid tyrosine such as liver, fermented drinks and aged cheese. Rarely used today.
(2.) Tricyclic antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Side effects include dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, cognitive impairment, drowsiness, anxiety, emotional blunting, and sexual dysfunction.
(3.) SRRI's selectively block the reuptake of serotonin and are the most commonly used medications for depression today. Potential side effects...
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