Etiology Of Depression

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The purpose of this research paper is to review the known and suspected causes of depression, as well as its definition, and a focus on etiology and treatment. Depression is a mental illness affecting anyone, regardless of race, sex or ethnicity. The individual experiences deep sadness and decreased interest in any activity, and the term itself is used to describe the sorrow that the individual may temporarily feel from time to time, or for long durations of time. The primary focus is the etiology of depression, as well as its analysis and treatment.

Introduction and Definition
Depression can be defined as a point in an individual’s life where they are mentally unstable and feel an unshakable sorrow. As one of the most common mental …show more content…
Individuals who experience unfavorable and undesirable life events (such as a break up or loss of a loved one) are more likely to experience depression or depressive episodes. Abundant evidence exists suggesting that negative life events generate severe depressive episodes, and almost every individual has experienced a tragic life event at one time or another. There is a correlation between the number of negative life events (as well as their severity) and the likelihood of depression onset. The severity of the influence the life event has on an individual is dependent on both the degree of the event as well as what it means to the individual. Throughout history, it has been noted that depression occurs following a tragedy or loss of something meaningful to an individual, such as the death of a loved one, or the loss of a significant other due to relationship complications. Depression and interpersonal losses have always been associated with one another (Tennant, …show more content…
Among these groups, depression rates are very high, due to the individuals experiencing separation from family members that is often lengthy and tedious, and in some cases, permanent (Heilemann et al., 2004). Loss of property and cultural customs are significant to individuals of these communities. These experiences have a great impact on the psychological and physical functioning of the individuals. Another prevalent cause of depression is low socioeconomic position. Financial deficiency, among other resources, can cause chronic stress and therefore lead to depressive episodes (Malik et al., 2007). Racial discrimination is another root cause of depression, given that racial minorities are highly represented among lower class populations with low household income. Social class and racial discrimination can greatly impact an individual’s beliefs and self-concept, hence increasing the risk for depression as well as other disorders (Gee et al.,
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