Depression involving these symptoms is sometimes referred to as retarded depression. Low levels of norepinephrine activity in these regions can lead to slowed thinking and actions (psychomotor retardation), symptoms commonly seen in those with major depression. These pathways and structures are involved in mood regulation in the brain. These transmitters are involved in ascending pathways that start in the midbrain and project to different areas of the forebrain and cortex. The brain on the left shows a healthy brain where levels of norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) are normal. The monoamine hypothesis of depression states that depression is caused by low levels of these monoamines. In particular, it was noted that low levels of norepinephrine and/or serotonin in the limbic system corresponded to symptoms of depression. In the search for the underlying causes of depression, it was discovered that monoamine levels may form a biological basis for depression. Not all cases are like this, however, and some people are at a higher risk than others for developing depression.

For instance, many major depressive episodes show a clear precipitating event, such as the death of a loved one. What are the causes of depression? There are many different possible answers to this question.

Types of Depression and Bipolar Disorder in the DSM5 ġ6.1.2. These forms of depression share similar symptoms to the two main types described above but have unique causes. Another common example is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where depression is related to the decrease in daylight due to changes in seasons. An example is a postpartum depression or “baby blues” that can occur after childbirth. In addition, while we will not cover them for this class, there are other types of depression that you may see mentioned in the media or scientific literature. The exact symptoms shown vary and are influenced by gender, age, and the presence of other mental illnesses such as anxiety. Depression is more common among women than men, with women being nearly twice as likely to develop depression (Albert, 2015). However, disorders occur when mood changes are severe or persistent and exceed the limits of normal or balanced mood.ĭepression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., with around 8.4% of the population experiencing at least one episode of major depression in 2020. These changes are usually mild though and do not last for long periods. At times, people may even dip into moments of depression, such as after the loss of a job or relationship, or moments of heightened excitement and activity, known as mania. It is normal for people to have shifts in mood. In this section, we will define depression and explore some of its causes and treatments.Īffective disorders (from affectus in Latin for “mood”) refer to mood dysregulation. In a clinical setting, mental depression refers to a negative change in mood that is more severe or persistent than normal.

Discuss the use of psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of depression.

Provide two possible explanations for the delayed effect of antidepressants.

Describe the goal of pharmacological treatment of depression.

Differentiate between depressions caused by different chemical imbalances.

Describe the neurochemical causes of mental depression.

Differentiate between the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

Define the major types of mood disorders.

Describe the symptoms of bipolar disorder and outline how mood stabilizers are used to treat it.

List and describe types of antidepressant drugs.

Outline types of mood disorders, causes, and treatment options.

We will start with the affective disorders and the drugs used to treat them.

In this last unit of the course, we will be covering psychotherapeutic drugs that are used to treat mental disorders and physiological conditions that cause behavioral, cognitive, and personality changes.

Affectus in