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Causes of depression - notes
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 412)
Campbellsville University
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Causes/factors for depression (endogionous) - Biological - Psychosocial - Sociocultural
Biological factors ● Heredity: inherit a predisposition of depression - 1st degree relative = 3x more likely to be depressed - Identical twins = 2x concordance rate - Adopted < biological - Linkage studies (chromosomes) ● Biochemical - interaction of - Monoamines (dopomine, norepinephrine, serotonin) if these are not functioning, you are more at risk for multiple disorders - Monoamine depletion - Brain abnormalities - prefrontal cortex ● Lowered levels of activity in left prefrontal cortex ● Higher levels on the right side of prefrontal cortex
- hippocampus - decreased volume
- amygdala and basil ganglia -reduced size and increased activity in amygdala
- hormonal dysfunction
- hypothyroidism - low thyroid level
- post-partum depression
- circadian rhythm dysfunction
- ex. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- melatonin secreted in darkness → decreases energy and activity level
Exogenous factors (things outside ourselves)
Psychosocial Factors
Situational depression: - Physical disease or abnormality - Caring for someone with debilitating condition - Overwhelming stress - Death of loved one - Divorce - Frustration of important goal
Cognitive factors: - Pessimistic attributional style (dont believe situations will change, one failure means every failure of their life)
- Learned helplessness (dont try to improve, dont tend to believe that their life cant be salvaged) comes from childhood where bad things happen where that couldnt have control so they grow as an adult and dont understand that they can control things.
- Negative cognitive trial (negative view of all:
- self
- world
- future
- Irrational beliefs
Sociocultural factors
- Less common - External locus of control: a culture where they tend to not blames themselves when things go wrong
- More common:
- living in poverty
- lower education level
- unemployed
● Major depression:
- White > Black > Hispanic > Asian american
● Persistent depressive disorder
- black and hispanic > white
● Two protective factors: - ethnic identity: good sense of who you are - religious participation
● Gender differences F>M - Females go for treatment more often - Internalizing (focused on self, going unnoticed, girl cries to sleep every night) vs. externalizing (brought to the attention, boy tries to fight people on playground) - Hormonal - Traditional Female Role: predisposisioned more females depressed
● Traditional female role: - Expected to give support - Expected to be passive in relationships - Higher poverty level - Role is demanding but undervalued - Double duty when have career - Discrimination in career opportunities and pay
Causes of depression - notes
Course: Abnormal Psychology (PSY 412)
University: Campbellsville University
