... yourself for things that are not your responsibility - Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things - Frequent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide - Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014) As you can see, depression changes the way you see yourself, the goodness in your life, and ... (ECT) may be useful. Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure in which electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain che...

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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... and environmental factors. There's no single cause for depression. The illness often runs in families. Experts believe a genetic vulnerability combined with environmental factors, such as stress or physical illness, may cause an imbalance in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, resulting in depression. Imbalances in three neurotransmitters " serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine " seem to be linked ... range for long, those with manic depression go back and forth between these two extreme moods. Like other depression disorders, manic depression is influenced by heredity and physica...

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... drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy, influenced a small percentage of ADD cases. Exposure to toxins, such as lead, may also alter the brain chemistry and function. (Pfiffner 78) If you suspect that you are suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder you will need to discuss it with your medical doctor. In ... period of time, control impulses, and regulate motor activity. The drug or combination of drugs that work best for you depends on the individual's brain chemistry and constellation of symptoms. The process of finding the right drug can be tricky for each individual. The...

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... also many educational interests which an individual must posses in order to excel in the field of psychiatry. Educational interests include: mathematics, English/ communications, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and languages ("Psychiatrist," Occu-Facts 1). A psychiatrist must also be well organized and timely, and also creative in finding solutions to problems. ... follows in order to successfully become a psychiatrist (qtd. in Byck 23). Some high school subjects suggested to help lay the groundwork for a career in psychiatry include: biology, chemistry, college...

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... also known as manic-depressive disorder, alternates between bouts of depression and bouts of mania. People with mania typically have increased energy, talking, physical, mental and social activity. They take risks and have unrealistic beliefs in their own abilities. Their need for sleep may decrease and their ... or to make themselves happy, that they could if they only wanted to. When you look at what depression actually is, a brain chemistry issue, it becomes obvious that there is no way that people could simply make themselves better. Depression is more than sadness, and that ... the U...

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... hospitalization. Some anorexics die from complications. Anorexia is believed to be primarily an illness of the mind or illness of psychological origin; however, it has significant medical and physical consequences. Often it begins with a relatively normal desire to lose a few pounds. But because dieting only temporarily relieves underlying psychological problems, it soon becomes compulsive; food ... hospitalization. Some anorexics die from complications. Anorexia is believed to be primarily an illness of the mind or illness of psychological origin; however, it has significant medical a...

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... are the result of demonic possession or influence or the work of mysterious "evil" forces, and the idea that the behaviors are the result of contagious disease or physical ailment (54). Resulting in stigmatization and mistreatment from the past to now. What is 'wrong' with being mentally ill? Bethesda followed with '' As scientists continue to investigate the ... brains of people who have mental illnesses, they are learning that mental illness is associated with changes in the brain's structure, chemistry, and function and that mental illness does indeed have a biological basi...

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... determine the cause for depression since it varies from person to person. Biological differences such as the physical alteration of the brain responsible for mood, thinking, appetite, sleep, and behavior have been found in people with depression (Depression (major depressive disorder)). Also, differences in brain chemistry such as a chemical imbalance of a specific neurotransmitter like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine have been found in ... depression is four times more likely to develop depression themselves (What is Depression?). Lastly, one's surrounding environment may be a ...

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... either the way they feel, think, or behave. People have taken psychoactive drugs for religious and recreational purposes for hundreds of years. However, due to advances in the field of chemistry and pharmacology, stronger and highly addictive substances such as cocaine and heroin were created. Also, syringes enabled people to inject these drugs, making their effects more powerful and the risk ... weight, convulsions and depression. Heroin use initially results in nausea, slow respiration, dry skin, itching, slow speech and reflexes. Over a long period of time there is a serious risk of ...

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... not a contagious illness, however, it can run in families. Direct causes are unclear, although, if one experiences hormonal change, suffers a traumatic event, or abuses any substance, these alterations in body chemistry, can bring on a depressive state ("Depression," 2006). The good news is, it is treatable. It involves an imbalance of brain chemicals, which are called neurotransmitters. An important fact ... can positively determine whether the symptoms a person is having derive from depression. It is crucial that an individual consult their physician and be honest about all of their s...

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... postpartum depression was the experiences of Brook Shields who bravely chronicled her journey in the book, "Down Came the Rain ". According to researchers major depressive disorder is a combination of brain chemistry, family history and psychosocial environment and most often is associated with chemical imbalances of several neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Scientists also believe that there is evidence to suggest ... disease and cancer and some medications may also trigger depressive episodes. It is also important to note that many depressive episodes occur spontaneous...

• Word Count: 1664
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate