Major depression is a mood disorder in which causes an individual to constantly feel a sense of negativity and melancholia. It is one of the most prominent conditions faced by humanity with over 3 million cases recorded annually in the United States of America alone. It is also estimated that approximately 10-15% of individuals will be diagnosed with major depression at one point in their life hence further arguing it is a common condition to contract. This type of depression may cause one to feel as if they have no purpose along with having no specific direction or steering their life. Major depression has many treatments in which can be prescribed by a doctor that with time will aid the individual. I have determined that major depression is contracted environmentally, however the debate whether this disorder is retrieved through environmental or genetical means will be further depicted throughout this piece.
Major depression can cause an individual to have difficulties maintaining a job or career. Individuals suffering from this condition tend to avoid large amounts of communication and interaction. One may begin to show signs of losing contact with friends and family while coping with the disorder. Average people in contact with this person may just believe he/she is a loner or perhaps may simply be reserved.
This condition presents itself through symptoms that although are noticeable, may not be recognized to the extent of considering it “major depression”. For example, the feeling of sadness and negativity periodically can be viewed as a small phase rather than a more severe condition. A plethora of symptoms are presented with this condition. Melancholia and negativity would affect the individual the most; it can be considered one of the most earliest signs. Symptoms such as weight alterations, suicidal thoughts or tendencies, heavy sleeping patterns or no sleeping at all (insomnia), etc.
Weight alterations can vary between either gaining or losing a drastic amount of weight. This is often done at the expense of the person’s health in a negative way. Depending on the individual, one may feel an excessive urge to constantly eat while others may feel the need to refrain from eating little to no food at all. This goes on further to determine the overall demeanor of the individual to change as well. The individual may begin to care less about typical day-to-day routines such as hygiene.
Suicidal thoughts and tendencies typically occur in severe cases where the individual may begin to constantly process about the idea of taking his/her life. This is often where loved ones or people whom interact with the individual will begin to notice the severity of the situation as well as the individual. One can experience negative thoughts and perhaps even go as far as physically harming themselves. One of the most common ways of self- harm would be the cutting or slitting of the wrist, this is where one of the body’s most vital veins are located. There are other mechanisms of self-injury such as self-poisoning, burning, purposely hitting different areas of the body, and even interfering with the healing process of scars or open wounds. All of these actions could lead to the determination of being diagnosed with major depression.
Sleeping patterns play an important effect on an individual with major depression. One who is constantly sleeping aids in determining how the person is feeling. Long sleeping patterns are often a result of the individual not wanting to be in contact with the real world and his/her thoughts. However, other individuals may experience little to no sleeping which also can affect the individual negatively. “In a 2007 study of 10,000 people, those with insomnia were five times as likely to develop depression as those without…Sleep loss often aggravates the symptoms of depression, and depression can make it more difficult to fall asleep.” (webmd.com) One’s slumber is utterly crucial in order to function properly. Insomnia and major depression often depend on each other. It is not uncommon for a person who suffers from insomnia to also suffer from depression. Lack of sleep can result in forgetfulness, fatigue, and even hallucinations.
This form of depression can be mainly treated with a medication prescribed by a physician or qualified doctor. In severe cases, it is recommended to receive further treatments such as rehabilitation, physical and mental therapy, and constant super vision. However, almost all known cases of major depression can be cured when taking the proper precautions.
It is said that genetic factors partake in someone contracting major depression. There have been a number of studies conducted towards major depression and its factors. The three main genetic studies prevalent for major depression consist of one of the three categories: twins, family members such as mother to daughter, and adoption cases. Based on a study towards women, it claimed that “Genetic factors influence the risk of onset of major depression in part by altering the sensitivity of individuals to the depression-inducing effect of stressful life events.” (focus.psychiatryonline.org) . This is suggesting that genetic factors such as altering sensitivity are correlated with major depression.
Twin studies are one of the most useful forms of research towards whether or not major depression is genetically transferred. This is due to the fact that identical twins contain the same genetic code. Once an identical twin develops the depression disorder, whether raised in the same household with the other twin or not, the other twin is more likely than not to also develop major depression. The fact that both have the same genetic code strengthens the theory that major depression is developed through genetic factors.
Many of the genetic factors are associated and generalized with anxiety. This differs from the environmental factors of depression which are usually much easier to distinguish. “Although life events may precipitate depression, examination of familial liability along with social adversity reveals that environmental effects tend to be contaminated by genetic influences.” (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) This reveals a moderate reflection towards major depression. It is indicating that although environmental factors partake in gaining major depression, it mainly underlies with genetic influence.
In some cases, the genetic factor of major depression comes from another mood disorder. For example, bipolar disorder has a high genetic influence. Someone with bipolar disorder has a higher chance of developing clinical depression. If a parent were to have bipolar disorder, it is suggested that their offspring has about one fourth of a chance of gaining major depression.
The environmental causes of major depression are associated with constituents that are out of one’s control. It is not based off of the chemical imbalance in one’s brain or any type of circumstance that may occur within the human body like the genetic standpoint. The dynamic relationship between our mind and body present in a stressful scenario can lead to the development of major depression. It is a prevalent factor that as a result of stress, an individual can experience depression. One can experience stress over devastating factors which stay constant, for example the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job. However, this condition does not always come from negative aspects in life. The environmental factors such as marriage, the start of a new job position, and even the relocation of a home or city can cause one to become clinically depressed. Major depression mainly lies under situations related with anxiety.
It is not uncommon for one to experience a traumatic or grave situation at least once, it can be considered almost unavoidable in life. However, for example the way one is raised and taught can play an important role in how he/she will react to this crisis. The way one would react can affect the idea and development of major depression upon them.
Individuals who have experienced a difficult childhood tend to be more likely to develop depression than those who didn’t. There are conditions such as the loss or separation of a parent, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, etc which can affect the child’s care-taking drastically. “The most significant event that seems to be related to clinical depression is separation from or death of a parent before the age of 11…During World War II there were a number of children who were separated from their mothers. It was noticed that these children became depressed after going through several stages of grief.” (allaboutdepression.com) Children rely and strive on the care, empathy, and comfort that their parents give them. If a child is deprived from this, it is an open door for major depression to develop.
Based on extensive research, I have determined that major depression is mainly caused by environmental factors rather than genetic. There are inevitable factors such as annual income, family matters, relationships, etc. that can cause large amounts of stress upon the person which can then develop into major depression.
Although there is extensive research ongoing towards major depression, it can already be seen that it is caused through environmental factors. “It has been found that when one identical twin becomes depressed the other will also develop clinical depression approximately 76% of the time.” (allaboutdepression.com) In twin studies, one twin is more than three fourth’s likely of contracting major depression. The question is, where does the other 24% of data go? Most of these twins live together in the same household and live rather similar lives. It would only make sense for both to contract depression especially when siblings often depend on one another. “Research on twins has shown that co-twins experience an extremely close bond with one another to compensate for difficulties parents may face in raising twins; often, parents ‘may actively encourage one twin as a parent substitute for the other’” (Sophie Cassell) This goes on to further prove that the close bond between twins can determine why one is diagnosed with major depression shortly after the other. It is more likely that the twin will mimic the other in almost all their actions, including their melancholy state of mind.
I previously mentioned bipolar disorder has high genetic influence and with that it is said that those genetics can be further linked with the factors in major depression. This however can be argued otherwise. Any person with a grave condition such as bipolar disorder often faces struggles throughout his/her life that an average person would not comprehend nor deal with. “Bipolar disorder… is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior.” (webmd.com) Bipolar disorder on its own has many struggles in which can cause the individual to then also develop major depression. With that said, bipolar disorder’s high genetic influence should not correlate with the genetic factors of major depression. I feel it would be based on the environmental aspects as the reason one would contract major depression would be because of the difficulties and negativities faced in everyday living with bipolar disorder.
In conclusion, I have determined that the mood disorder, major depression, is caused through environmental factors rather than genetic. This is based off of the knowledge I have acquired towards the uncertainties of the genetic influence versus environmental. The certain doubts and correlations in the genetic field’s arguments such as its lack of evidence in case studies as well as its unrelated correlation methods with other mood disorders has led me to believe that there is much more evidence in the environmental aspects.