What is the chemical/biological cause of depression?

Answer 1

Generally, it's due to one of three neurtransmitters deficiency. The most common one is serotonin. The others are norepinephrine and dopamine. Situational depression (isolated event causes) is a biological response to the environment. Talk therapy is usually the best way to get the brain and moods back on track, but still neuro-Ts are affected.

Recurrent and refractory depression have high heritability and it is thought that there may be a set of genes involved. The specifics are not clearly understood, and more may be involved than just the neuro-Ts (gaba, calcium channels, ion channels, etc).

Adult depression can also be caused by child trauma and abuse. The thinking there is that the HPA axis (hippothalmic, pituitary, and adrenal system) and or Amygdala/Hippocamus are altered in some way and then they mess with the neurotransmitters.

Answer 2

Dear Diamond,

My question to you is 'Is there a chemical/biological cause to depression'?

Everything of course is in some way biological. Our thought process ARE neurological events.

Do you not think that if someone knew the cause(s) we would have a psychiatric disorder that was actually curable? Instead, we have people saying that a problem with the neuron transmitters are the cause of ALL emotional disorders. You may have a high degree of anxiety but no depression - and yes Prozac is indicated. You may have a high degree of depression but no anxiety - and still Prozac is indicated. Prozac , thus indicated for extreme general use. -And does it acutally work for most????

The best answer I've heard is from someone on youtube. He said:'"There are different factors that affect the mental health. One is the body [for example the brains chemistry] / [or even the whole body- what you eat or doing exercise].

Also the mind [not brain], but thoughts and experiences, and emotions. What makes you feel better? What thought patterns are making things worse/better?

Another factor is the environment. For example if your house is dirty/in disorder then that will have a negative effect on you. If your in disneyland you will probably feel good.

You have the three factors of your body, your mind, and the environment. You can have an effect on each one of these factors. You can do something to improve your health. You can improve your mental outlook. You can do things to improve your environment.

And anytime you pump one of these three factors up it's going to have an effect on all of them."

The video is not longer available on youtube but is from the channel called psychtruth. In general I'm not fond of this channel because of their anti-psychiatry videos- but sometimes they have great solutions and ideas about mental health.

To think that chemical/biological problems [are the only cause] is misleading when it comes to mental health in general.

Answer 3

Either you have it or someone you know has it.

I've had a few fights with depression.

Develope this kind of attitude:

Invictus - W.E. Henley

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid

It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

It takes courage to make the correct choices and deal with depression.

Answer 4

Awesome book on this subject: "Molecules of Emotion" by Candace Pert.

Answer 5

chemical imbalances in the brain