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Introduction
Aside from the fact that depression hinders people in reaching their full potential, it has been proven to cause premature death. According to Osby et al., “major depressive disorder among inpatients carries about a 20-fold risk of completed suicide” (as cited in Sokero et al. 2005). In order to effectively come up a resolution to this issue, the following questions need to be answered first: What feeds human depression? Is it nature or nurture?
Body
According to Klaus Peter Lesch (2004), depression originated from “complex genetics and obscure neurobiology”. Based on his study, he confirmed that it is difficult to identify the “specific genetic factor” that leads to depression but a “variation in gene expression has been confirmed to play a predominant role” in the existence of this psychological issue (Lesch, 2004).
Sullivan, Neale, and Kendler (2000), in their meta-analysis and review, also revealed that major depression “mostly or entirely results from genetic influences.
In a systematic review of evidence, Bonde (2008) found that “perception of adverse psychosocial factors in the workplace is related to an elevated risk of subsequent depressive symptoms or major depressive episode.”
In addition, a study conducted by Shapero et al. (2014) showed that stressful life experiences or events, an external factor, are linked with “an increase in depressive symptoms and the onset of major depression.” This is based on a multiwave study that investigated the changes in depressive symptoms in response to life stressors.
Despite the differences in perspectives between the people who believe that depression is caused by either nature or nurture, I personally believe that the latter is mostly responsible for the issue. This is because even with the absence of a genetic or biological trigger, depression may still occur as a product or major life stressors or problems. In fact, a study proves the weakness of blaming depression to nature. Gregor Hasler reviewed neurobiological theories that attempted to explore the topic. The selected theories he reviewed, which investigated the roles of “stress hormones, neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), neurocircuitry, neurotrophic factors, and circadian rhythms” on depression revealed that there is no unified hypothesis that can explain depression (Hasler, 2010).
Conclusion
The studies of Lesch, Sullivan, Neale, and Kendler show that a person’s biological make up causes depression. On the other hand, the studies conducted by Bonde and the group of Shapero show otherwise. Their findings suggest that external factors cause depression. From a personal perspective, I believe that external factors are the major triggers of depression because these are highly uncontrollable and cannot be managed by medications. This is why depression continues to occur. Overall, it is not nature that feeds human depression – it’s nurture.
References
Bonde, J.P. Psychosocial factors at work and risk of depression: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 65 (7), 438-445. DOI: 10.1136/oem.2007.038430
Hasler, G. (2010). Pathophysiology of depression: Do we have any solid evidence of interest to clinicians? World Psychiatry, 9 (3), 155-161.
Lesch, K. P. (2004). Gene–environment interaction and the genetics of depression. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 29 (3), 174-184.
Shapero, et al. (2014). Stressful life events and depression symptoms: The effect of childhood emotional abuse on stress reactivity. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70 (30), 209-223. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22011
Sokero, T. P. et al. (2005). Prospective study of risk factors for attempted suicide among patients with DSM–IV major depressive disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 186 (4), 314-318. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.186.4.314
