Unipolar Depression: A Report on Causes, Effects, and Treatments

This report provides an overview of unipolar depression, differentiating it from depressed mood and major depressive disorder. It explores the biological components and their impact on depression, along with the role of negative thinking and cognitive factors. The report analyzes the relationship between these elements, highlighting how biological components can influence negative thoughts and the overall development of depression. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of addressing both biological and cognitive components in managing the condition. The conclusion underscores the interconnectedness of cognitive, biological, and emotional factors in depression and suggests strategies such as exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep to mitigate the risk of developing depression. The report is a concise analysis of the complex nature of depression and its multifaceted causes.

Running Head: UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION
UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

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Executive Summary
The report aims to provide a discussion that distinguishes depressed mood from major depressive
disorder. Research reveals that there is a strong biological component that enhances depression.
Another research reveals that people with depression has a higher tendency of developing
negative thoughts. The report also discussed about the negative aspects and biological
components that affects depression. The report is concluded by adhering to certain strategies that
reduces the risk of developing depression.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Difference between depressed mood and major depressive disorder..........................................3
Relation between negative thinking and biological component..................................................3
Relation between cognitive components and biological components.........................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
The aim of the report is to provide a brief knowledge about depression and its causes and
effects on human health and mind. It affects a person’s thoughts, behavior, motivation, feelings
and sense of well being. It is also characterized by sadness, difficulty in thinking and
concentration, alteration in appetite, sleeping disorders, hopelessness and sometimes suicidal
thoughts. It can be short term or long term. Long term depression leads to major depressive
disorder which is characterized by many negative thoughts and biological components that
affects the mind.
Discussion
Difference between depressed mood and major depressive disorder
Depressed mood is a type of major mood disorders. Depressed mood is temporary
reaction which develops due to certain life events. It may also be a symptom of certain diseases
or effects of some drugs and medical treatments. In contrast with depressed mood, major
depressive disorder is a mental disorder that is characterized by minimum two weeks of low
mood (Otte et al., 2016). It is also accompanied by low self esteem, decreased interest or loss of
interest in engaging activities, lower levels of energy and a characteristic pain without any
source.
Relation between negative thinking and biological component
The impact of biological component is more prominent in major depressive disorder.
Decrease in weight, changes in libido, dysmenorrhea, sleeping disorders and hormonal changes
are the biological components of depression (Godlewska, 2018). Negative feeling is another
major cause of depression that raises from anger, irritation, anxiety or unpleasant feelings

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(Klemanski et al., 2017). Hormonal changes can lead to irritation and negative thoughts. Stress,
hunger, exhaustion, allergies are also responsible for depression. Yes, I feel that both negative
thinking and biological components are responsible for the development of depression. They are
related to each other. Biological component can lead to accumulation of negative thoughts.
Depressed people feels despair and hopelessness that emerges from negative thoughts. These
thoughts are affected by moods and feelings.
Relation between cognitive components and biological components
The impact of biological component is more prominent in major depressive disorder.
Decrease in weight, changes in libido, dysmenorrhea, sleeping disorders and hormonal changes
are the biological components of depression. Depression alters aspects of information
processing, including attention and perception, interpretation, and memory processes. Biological
components needs to be addressed first as compared to cognitive components. Beliefs,
knowledge and thoughts are the cognitive components (Segal & Teasdale, 2018). The cognitive
components relies on the biological factors.
Conclusion
Thus, it can concluded by stating that depression is caused by both cognitive components,
biological components and negative thoughts. All these factors are inter related. People usually
are not aware of the symptoms and causes of depression. They need to overcome depression to
lead a healthy lifestyle. There are certain ways to overcome depression like regular exercises and
eating healthy foods. A reasonable amount of sleep is a good way to avoid developing
depression.

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References
Godlewska, B. R. (2018). Cognitive neuropsychological theory: Reconciliation of psychological
and biological approaches for depression. Pharmacology & therapeutics.
Klemanski, D. H., Curtiss, J., McLaughlin, K. A., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2017). Emotion
regulation and the transdiagnostic role of repetitive negative thinking in adolescents with
social anxiety and depression. Cognitive therapy and research, 41(2), 206-219.
Otte, C., Gold, S. M., Penninx, B. W., Pariante, C. M., Etkin, A., Fava, M., ... & Schatzberg, A.
F. (2016). Major depressive disorder. Nature reviews Disease primers, 2, 16065.
Segal, Z. V., & Teasdale, J. (2018). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression.
Guilford Publications.