Depression (deprimo - «pressure", "suppress") is a mental disorder characterized by "depressive triad": depressed mood and loss of ability to experience pleasure (anhedonia), disturbances of thinking (negative judgments, pessimistic view of what is happening, etc.), motor inhibition. Depressive patients have low self-esteem; they lose their interest in life and daily activities. In some cases, a person suffering from this disorder may start to abuse alcohol or other psychotropic substances.
Biological reasons for depression are associated with genetic predispositions, biochemical causes, etc. Heritability can explain depression. Results of several twin studies showed that heritability of major depression is approximately 38% (Beck & Alford, 2009 p. 143). Many scientists point to biological causes of depression: its source lies in the imbalance of hormones and neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. If the body produces insufficient amounts of these hormones, the symptoms of depression may occur.
Depression can influence arising from memory problems. For example, results of one study showed that depression negatively influence immediate recall of new information and the total amount of acquisition of new data (Kizilbash, Vanderploeg & Curtiss, 2002, p. 60). Authors of another study examined memory function of individuals with endogenous depression before and after treatment of depression. Their research demonstrated that treatment of depression can positively affect treatment of memory impairments and that there is a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and impairments of memory (Strömgren, 1977, p. 109).
A. Beck, observing patients with neurotic depression, drew attention to the fact that in their experiences themes of defeat, hopelessness and inadequacy can be noticed. Beck concluded that depression develops in people who perceive the world in three negative categories: a negative view of the present, hopelessness about the future, reduced self-esteem. Beck has created a behavioral therapy program, which uses self-control, role playing, simulation, homework, etc. (Beck & Alford, 2009, p. 301).
Beck pointed out that all the problems begin with the person`s interpretation of external events, according to the scheme: external events (incentives) → cognitive system → cognitive interpretation (thoughts) → feelings or behavior.
Interpersonal therapy was developed by Klerman and Weissman in late 1960 for the treatment of patients with depression, and from the beginning has been focused on solving the problems that arise in this category of patients. According to IPT, depression often occurs due to adverse changes in the social environment of patients, such as the loss of a close relative or conflict with others. Psychotherapy is aimed mainly at changing the interpersonal context of depressive symptoms, at improving the social status of a patient (Beck & Alford, 2009, p. 304).
According to humanistic approach, depression is caused by reasons such as denying real self, trying to behave according to expectations of other people instead of according to own innate desires. Also depression, according to humanists, can be caused when there are some barriers for self-actualization (McLeod, 2015).
According to psychodynamic approach, depression can arise in a situation of rejection or loss, severe superego demands, deprivation in the mother-child relationships, etc. Freud also indicated that a person in a situation of rejection by another person can direct his/her anger inwardly toward oneself(McLeod, 2015).
References
Beck, A. T., & Alford, B. A. (2009). Depression: causes and treatment. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Kizilbash, A. H., Vanderploeg, R. D., & Curtiss, G. (2002). The effects of depression and anxiety on memory performance. Archives of clinical neuropsychology, 17(1), 57-67.
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Psychological Theories of Depression. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/depression.html
Strömgren, L. (1977). The influence of depression on memory. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 56(2), 109-128.
