Psychology Essay: Biological Explanations of Depression

This essay critically examines the biological explanations for atypical psychological behaviors, specifically focusing on depression. It begins by defining depression according to the DSM-5 criteria and highlights its characteristics. The essay then explores the biological approach, emphasizing the roles of genetics, neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine), and hormonal imbalances (particularly cortisol) in the development of depression. It discusses family and twin studies, which suggest a genetic component, and the Monoamine hypothesis, which links low levels of specific neurotransmitters to depressive symptoms. The essay also touches upon the limitations of biological explanations and the complexities of diagnosis and classification. Ultimately, the essay underscores the interplay of biological factors in understanding and treating depression, providing a comprehensive overview of the current research and perspectives within the field of psychology.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
With reference to a specific example of a psychopathological condition, critically discuss
biological explanations of atypical psychological behaviors
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
The aim of this essay is to discuss critically the biological explanations of the abnormal
behaviors related to Depression as the psychopathological condition. Depression (major
depressive disorder) is a serious as well as very common mental illness, which affects a
negatively a person’s feeling, thinking as well as their daily activities. The reason behind
choosing Depression as the psychopathological condition is that is among the most common
psychological disorders and is caused by a combination of biological, environmental, genetic
as well as psychological factors (Gilbert 2016). Moreover, this psychological condition can
occur in any age but mainly found once an individual step into their adulthood. The major
risk factors, which are included in depression, can be a history of depression in the family,
major trauma, stress or changes in life or physical illnesses and medication (Valkanova and
Ebmeier 2013).
Thus, this essay will discuss about the characteristics of the chosen psychopathological
condition, which will follow its relation with the various models of the atypical behavior.
Here the focus will be more on the biological perspectives. Moreover, the problems that are
inherited while classifying and diagnosis of this psychological behavior will be discussed.
Lastly, a small summary will be provided with all the important points under the conclusion
part.
Discussion
Depression is always associated with unhappiness and thus, the main characteristics of
depression can be overwhelming feeling, having difficulty in experiencing joy even in funny
situations, problem in falling asleep, worry, isolating self from people, getting inactive,
frequent crying fits, inappropriate eating habits, low self-esteem and being guilty. As per
DSM-5 there are a list of signs an d symptoms that is listed under major depressive disorder

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and any individual having five or more of those symptoms persisting during the same 2-
weeks period with one of the symptoms being either depressed mood or loss of pleasure or
interest can be said to be suffering from depression. The symptoms that are listed in DSM-5
mainly cause impairment in social, professional and other significant areas of one’s life
(American Psychiatric Association 2013). Therefore, the common symptoms as per DSM-5
which are found in depressed people are that most of the day they are observed with
depressed mood, marked decreased interest in any activity throughout the day, weight loss
without dieting or weight gain, hypersomnia or Insomnia, psychomotor agitation, fatigue,
worthlessness feeling, unable to concentrate and repeated thought of death. Thus, if anyone is
found having less than five symptoms of DSM-5 category then that person will not be tagged
as falling under depression (Koukopoulos and Sani 2014).
As per the behavioral approach, every behavior is the outcome of the environment
in which one stays not the biology. Therefore, according to the behaviorists every action is
related to one’s life experience. Moreover, they stated that atypical behavior is actually
learned response, which has been conditioned in an individual. Therefore, behavioral model
states further opine that if this behavior is learned then it also can be unlearned. Every
network of catastrophic life event along with catastrophic interpretations can totally condition
an individual’s life forever (Martell, Dimidjian and Herman-Dunn 2013). There are few
strengths as well as weaknesses, which can be stated as below-
Strengths-
1. Behavioral models has helped developed various successful behavioral therapies
2. Through this approach it has been observed that once the symptoms of problem are
decreased, the patient will no longer found complaining about their problems
Weakness-

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1. As per this approach the behaviorists only treats the symptoms which are observable
and does not pay attention to its underlying causes
2. This is also known to be a reductionist approach as it reduces complicated human
behaviors to basic level behavioral responses as well as simple environmental stimuli
Sigmund Freud has introduced psychodynamic approach. The main theory related to
this approach is that the main root of any mental disorder is psychological which is related to
the unconscious mind and are the outcome of failed defense mechanism. While treating
psychopathological conditions like depression it the psychodynamic therapy is said to be an
important therapy (Barth et al. 2016). This approach mainly helps depressive patients to
explore the whole range of their emotions, involving those feelings, which they themselves
might not be aware of. This approach further states that mental illnesses, which are reflected
in adulthood, are mainly the unresolved conflicts or repressed desires, which is originating
from early childhood. This approach also has certain strengths and weaknesses, which are
stated as below-
Strengths
1. This model holds an optimistic viewpoint that every mental illnesses can be treated
2. It has been found that maximum of the people are capable of recollecting their
childhood traumas or abuse
Weaknesses
1. The major weakness here is that the older methods of this approach mainly neglects
the impact of recent conflicts over the childhood conflicts
2. It further underrates the role of a situation or context and emphasizes more on inner
conflicts

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The cognitive approach has their basic assumption, which says that mental events
produce behavior because human beings analyses their surroundings before responding to it
and thus, atypical behaviors comes as an outcome of the cognitive evaluations. This approach
has been established because then early behaviorists therapy has failed to take up the thoughts
as well as feelings seriously. Cognitive approach thus, addresses mental events like feelings
and thinking for analyzing the atypical behaviors. According to cognitive approach
depression is the outcome of maladaptive, faulty as well as irrational cognitions, which take
the form of disturbed thoughts and judgments. Moreover, depressive cognitions can be
socially learned or can be an outcome of lack of experiences that can guide in the evolution
of adaptive coping skills. Therefore, as per this approach the depressed people are found to
have different thinking that those who are not depressed and thus, it is the thought process
which makes them more depressed (Segal, Williams and Teasdale 2012).
The biological approach mainly discusses the biological and medical viewpoint of the
atypical behavior. As per this, brain and its chemicals regulate the human mood and behavior.
Therefore, the focus of this approach is on the biological bodily processes like the genetic
inheritance. The main assumption of this approach is that psychological illnesses duplicate
physical illnesses and thus, can be diagnosed as well as treated in a similar way. The
biological model has been observed to favor the nature’s side in the traditional nature vs.
nurture debate (Baune et al. 2012). However, as per this approach there is something in the
human biology or genetic makeup, which can cause dysfunctioning behavior like depression.
Apart from genetics, this approach has also highlighted that biochemical imbalance;
malformation in the structuring of the brain can also contribute in the way in which people
can suffer from depression (Saveanu and Nemeroff 2012). Moreover, the research also says
that depression can also be caused if any of the family members is diagnosed with this
psychopathological condition. Thus, those individual who are having a first-degree relative

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suffering from depression are at more risk to come under this disorder. Family studies as well
as Twin studies have suggested that depression can run through families (Ibrahim et al.
2013). There are studies by Natsuaki et al. (2014) which shows that biological relatives of
those who are adopted have been hospitalized for suffering from severe depression.
Moreover, this study also found that there is high incidence of severe depression in those
relatives in the experimental group in comparison to the non-depressed control group.
The biological approach further states that there is an important genetic association
between the Unipolar depression and suicide because as per research it has been found that
among the biological relatives of the individuals with mood disorders are 15 times more
suicidal than the adoptive parents. Apart from genetics, there is also a major role of
biochemical in the brain, which is also associated with depression as biological approach
says. It states that low levels of norepinephrine guides an individual to depression as well as
mania whereas, serotonin theory also suggests that low levels produces depression as well.
Andrews et al. (2015) has stated that impaired transmission of serotonin is found in
individuals suffering from depression thus, it gives a support for the biological explanation.
This biological explanation for depression also gives the Monoamine hypothesis, which states
that monoamines (serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine) are collective neurotransmitters,
which are responsible for regulating moods. Therefore, when the serotonin level is low as
stated above briefly, the noradrenaline also drops and thus, this, drop links with lack of
pleasure in daily life activities. Thus, by increasing people’s serotonin level in the brain,
which can be done by taking medicines, one can combat depression. Hormone imbalances
also have a major role to play in depression. It has been seen that depressed people have an
increased level of cortisol, which is that hormone which regulates which is responsible for
body’s responses towards stress, anger as well as fear. In the depressed person, it has been

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found that cortisol levels increases in the morning and remains high throughout day and night
thus, creating a hormonal imbalance (Dettenborn et al. 2012).
However, no classification scheme is perfect and no two individual with similar
diagnosis will behave in the same way. To attain classification successfully the various
disorders are diagnosed as per the symptoms and which are based on information. As per
DSM-4, which demonstrates individual’s psychopathological conditions mainly utilizing five
criteria, known as axes and then they are evaluated based on those axes. Moreover, different
models are also used to get hold of the disorders like through biological model an underlying
biochemical or physiological dysfunction, which is the cause of any atypical behavior, can be
treated in a similar way as any other physical illness. However, the classification and
diagnosis must be objective and produce similar results no matter what diagnosis is
highlighted by the psychologist, but this is not always the case and thus, issues arises because
many a times the causes are unknown for which there is a lack of classification. Moreover,
another major problem is that atypical behavior is still today a stigma in most cultures thus,
defining and diagnosing becomes very complex (Mwangi et al. 2012).
Conclusion
Thus, to conclude the essay it can be said the main reason behind choosing
Depression as a psychopathological condition as it is the most common mental illness, which
can be caused by genetic, environmental, behavioral and psychological factors. However, as
per DSM-5 classification of the signs and symptoms of depression the characteristics are that
most of the day they are observed with depressed mood, marked decreased interest in any
activity throughout the day, weight loss without dieting or weight gain, hypersomnia or
Insomnia, psychomotor agitation, fatigue, worthlessness feeling, unable to concentrate and

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repeated thought of death. As per the biological approach of depression, not only genetics but
chemical imbalance as well as hormones also play major roles in depression.

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Reference
American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
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Andrews, P.W., Bharwani, A., Lee, K.R., Fox, M. and Thomson Jr, J.A., 2015. Is serotonin
an upper or a downer? The evolution of the serotonergic system and its role in depression and
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