BIOCHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR DEPRESSION

Question 1

Summarise the biochemical explantion for depression

Answer 1

• Imbalances of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin and depression) are associated with depression

Question 2

What role does serotonin play in depressive disorders?

Answer 2

• Serotonin regulates mood, stress, appetite and emotions.
• Low serotonin is associated with low mood, anxiety and disruptions to sleep and eating (key symptoms)
• Evidence= SSRI’s which increase serotonin can be used to treat depression.

MES- mood, stress, appetite and emotions

Key symptoms thus suggests that low serotonin is associated with causes of depression

Question 3

What is serotonin?

Answer 3

• A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, stress, appetite and emotions.

MES

Question 4

Low levels of serotonin is associated with..

Answer 4

• Low mood, anxiety and disruptions to sleep and eating.

Question 5

What is dopmaine?

Answer 5

• A neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, pleasure and reward.

MPR- motivation, pleasure and reward

Question 6

Low dopamine is associated with…?

Answer 6

• Low mood, motivation, feelings hopelessness, anhedonia (key symptom of depression)

Question 7

What role does dopamine play in depressive disorders?

Answer 7

• Dopamine is responsible for motivation, pleasure and reward.
• Low dopamine is associated with low mood, motivation, hoplessness and anhedonia (key symptoms of depression)
• Evidence= anti-depressants (TCAs, MAOIs) reduce symotoms of depression by increasing dopamine.

Question 8

What did Rucci et al (2011) find in terms of the efficacy of SRRI’s?

Answer 8

• SRRI’s may delay the onset of suicidal thoughts in major depression, compared to psychotherapy.