Running head: MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER 1

Major Depressive Disorder

Name
Institution
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Introduction

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is the technical definitive name for depression. MDD

or clinical depression is a health condition occasioned by sustained periods of sadness and very

low levels of self-esteem. Further, individuals suffering or experiencing this condition do find

happiness or joy in hitherto positive activities. Summarily, everything about life carries a

negative connotation and brings stress where relaxation should reign. The highlighting symptoms

that characterize major depressive order range from persistent irritability, unexplainable loss or

gain in weight, low levels of body energy to minimal concentration in the day to day activities.

Additionally, victims may tend to feel worthless, a reality that forms an element of withdrawal in

them. The primary causal factor of MPD is identified as a genetic inheritance trajectory.

However, MDD is also caused by elements/conditions such as variations in brain activity, the

state of neurotransmitters in an individual’s brain, childhood environment, hormonal issues and

key personal events in a person’s life. The major depressive disorder is, therefore, a condition

that can affect every other member of the human race.

Biological Causal Factors

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) manifests its effects along the pathways of biology,

psychology and indeed, socially. Indeed, it is more of a psychology area of study much more

than the other two disciplines. However, and as with everything that touches on the condition of

a human being, its facilitation as a condition is also caused by biological factors. The very first

biologically linked cause of MDD is a change in brain activity (Gold, Machado-Vieira &

Pavlatou, 2015). Precisely, when the left part of the frontal based lobe realizes reduced activity,

an individual is likely to encounter low mood levels. Equally, an increase in active status at that
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brain part causes stabilization of the mind leading to a relaxed setting. Simply, it is the variation

in activities of the lobe region that determines the depression magnitude in a person.

The brain has neuro-transmitting components and specifically serotonin, dopamine, and

norepinephrine. The balance situation of these elements determines the level of mood stability in

a body. For example, a low uptake of dopamine by the brain sees a reduction in mood and

emotional levels in an individual. The consequential release of the neurotransmitters can also

work on either standardization the body mood state or even diluting it. Serotonin, for example,

determines both food consumption appetite and social based behavior. In the reality that the

brain releases high doses of the NT, a person may turn out to lead an active day filled with

exceptional levels of appetite. Low releases or uptake, on the contrary, creates a low

mood/emotional level can lead to withdrawal in the day’s activities. The same hormone is

medically linked to sleep levels, sexual motivation, and even memory. Clearly, interference with

the 3 brain components highlighted can set a human body into a spate of severe depressive paths.

From a biological perspective, the brain is entirely responsible for mood levels in the

human body. However, there is the gene factor that also plays a role in in the body (including the

brain) and influences the level of vulnerability. In a perspective, if an individual has genes that

do not support the stable uptake of mood hormones in the brain, the lifetime consequence is that

the individual will lead a very unstable life. Another way to analyze the gene factor is through

the scrutiny of family lines. A person coming from a home history where unipolar disorders are

prominent is highly likely to re-engineer the behavior into his/her physiology. Current research

studies indicate that half of the depressive disorder victims come from families that have a

history of depression. In fact, where one has a direct relative with a bipolar/unipolar condition,

the chances of acquiring the condition shoot up to 50%.

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Psychological Factors

Psychological factors strongly direct the cause f major depressive disorders in human

beings. First, any sustained exposure to negative events/activities can have one experiencing

spells of depression. Another primary reason is working in a strained environment. The

interaction with mental pressure on a daily basis can definitely lead to a major depressive

disorder. Most adults find themselves spending their time in the working environment.

Implicitly, if in that background, they experience bias of any kind, ridicule or any form of abuse,

there is a very high likelihood of transiting into highly depressive moods (Dowlatshahi, Nijsten,

Arends & Wakkee, 2015). Any form of unmanageable workloads, hostile colleagues, and

unreasonable bosses may place one into a route of a major depressive disorder.

Traumatic events during one’s childhood are another feeder of depressive disorders. If a

victim led a life occasioned by physical abuse from parents/guardians/siblings, it may take time

to reverse or unlearn the effects of such a psychological effect. In the US, at least 40% of all

those who have MDD trace a history of physical and mental abuse during their childhood days.

Relatedly, witnessing traumatic activities such as domestic violence, the death of a close relative

or friend, isolation at home and even neglect. Any of the listed events can see a person

immersing into a period of sustained trauma and stress thus leading to the occurrence.

Experiences from childhood remain the highest influencing reasons on MDD.

Psychological reasons can give hindsight on the extent of a major depressive disorder.

One, if a person suffered for approximately 10 years of their childhood under abusive parents or

siblings, the logical reality is that they may have a chronic depressive status that can last a

lifetime if not put through a very comprehensive therapy session outline. However, losing a job
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or going through financial strain can trigger short-term stress realities. In such a case, short-term

therapy and counseling sessions can have one back on their normal mental path.

Social Factors

There are very many social factors that trigger depressive tendencies. The social context

more often than not refers to relationships or interaction settings with the society. Additionally,

such factors as socialization, gender, and sexual preferences, the social environment and

ethnicity can determine the suffering extent of an individual (Holden et al., 2012). The leading

cause of depression from a social context is family relations. For example, in a family setting

with two spouses but lacking in shared affection, the victim may encounter long bouts of low

moods, lack of sleep and appetite. Longevity of such a scenario can breed major depressive

disorder.

Marital stress is another building component to MDD. To give a very clear perspective

on how marriages can affect depression in a marriage, one can simulate a situation where a wife

is pregnant. On top of the biological and philosophical strain occasioned by the pregnancy, any

other mental pressure can seriously activate a major depressive order syndrome. Further, the

mother may have complications initiating a positive relationship with the child. In the end, the

trail of depressive orders may follow the family for a generation (Beattie, 2015). The way a

parent behaves around his/her children has a direct impact on their mental status. Depression

does not favor age. Thus, the same way a parent/guardian suffers from depression is equally the

same manner that the child will endure the suffering.

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Socialization affects the social functions of individuals within the society. Therefore, how

healthy people relate to each other is key in stabilizing their individual stability. Stressed people

cannot activate positive engagements with other members of the society. One reason behind this

really is how the same society traits its members. Where individuals face exclusion for factors

such as wealth, education levels or physical/mental disabilities, depression can affect these

victims. Consequently, the social fabric is shattered as people tend to view each other and

interact differently. The resulting feeling of worthlessness in the community further frames the

victims to a life of either withdrawal or a high level of sensitivity to other people’s opinions.

Ultimately, the society acquires the image of a disconnected setting where negativity is the order

of the day. Additionally, within the social setting, discrimination based on gender tends to birth

depressive disorders. In conservative societies such as found in Africa and parts of Asia, women

experiences long spells of MDD due to the sustained discrimination and stigmatization.

Relation of all the factors

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is an advanced version of depression. In that sense,

its primary causes and symptoms share a lot of common components with mild depression/stress

status. T may manifest itself in a recurrent format or appear in a single bout. The academic

agreement between scholars is that MDD must occur for at least two weeks for it to qualify as a

major stress condition. More than 75% of the world’s population experience or suffer MDD at

one point in their lives. At least 18% according to World Health Organization (WHO) are

susceptible to long bouts of depression at any time in the world. Therefore, such a reality

presents MDD as a major point of concern for medics, psychologist, and researchers. The current

situation detailing the symptoms, causes and cure for MDD vary. However, some primary causes

are visibly recognized. Biologically, genes play a role in forming vulnerability levels in
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individuals. For example, introverts within the society are at higher level of experiencing MDD

far much more than extroverts. It should be noted, though, that gens just lay a foundation. When

a child is then born in a family that has a history of depression, the environment takes charge ad

genetic engineering cannot prevent such a child from getting an MDD. Likewise, a child brought

up in a society that does not recognize his/her needs cannot rely on genes to immunize her

against depression. Logically, MDD is caused by aggregate factors that combine to create an

environment breeding tension, stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), as a psychological condition, is one of the most

misunderstood concepts within the human spectrum. Too many people, stress occurrence is

normal and victims can always find a way out. On the contrary, research indicates that

undergoing long bouts of depressive situations can adversely affect the health status of an

individual. Such behavior traits as increased withdraw from the society, sadness and loss of

appetite can put a victim up for multiple medical conditions. It is necessary for the society to

understand that MDD is caused by a combination of genetic factors, biological realities, issues

around psychological status and the social trajectory of a person. Therefore, before humanity

prescribes treatment cycles to a victim or responds to their situations, a careful analysis of the

origin must take place. The integration of causal factors in facilitating MDD calls for medical

therapists and psychologists to respond through the use of integrated modes that can broadly

counter the causes.

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References

Beattie, G. (2015). Social Causes of Depression. Personalityresearch.org. Retrieved 21 February

2018, from http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/beattie.html

Dowlatshahi, E., Nijsten, T., Arends, L., & Wakkee, M. (2015). The Prevalence and Odds of

Depressive Symptoms and Clinical Depression in Psoriasis Patients: A Systematic Review

and Meta-Analysis. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 134(6), 1-7.

http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2013.508

Gold, P., Machado-Vieira, R., & Pavlatou, M. (2015). Clinical and Biochemical Manifestations

of Depression: Relation to the Neurobiology of Stress. Neural Plasticity, 2015, 1-11.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/581976

Holden, K., Hall, S., Robinson, M., Triplett, S., Babalola, D., & Plummer, V. et al. (2012).

Psychosocial and Sociocultural Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Diverse African

American Women. Journal Of The National Medical Association, 104(11-12), 493-504.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0027-9684(15)30215-7