Depression Depression is a disorder that affects about 30% of the adult population in the United States. Depression is characterized as involving an absence of joy, low energy, and high levels of sadness.

Biological Aspects of Depression Genes, brain function and neurotransmitters all play a role in depression Depression can be genetic but having depression in your genes does not necessarily mean you will develop the disorder. A stressful environment can make one more susceptible to developing depression Deficiencies of the neurotransmitters norepenephrine and seratonin have been a common occurrence in people with depression. The neurotransmitter, seratonin, specifically regulates mood, sleep, aggression and sexual function. When seratonin is low or nonexistent, a depressive state will occur.

Psychological Aspects of Depression Key factors involved in the psychological aspects of depression are environment, personal experience and thought patterns. When a person grows up in a stressful environment and feels that there is nothing they can do about their situation, they may develop a sense of learned helplessness. “When an individual cannot control their stress, they eventually feel helpless and stop trying to change their situation. This helplessness spirals into hopelessness.” -Martin Seligman

Sociocultural Aspects of Depression Studies show that people with a lower standard of living are more likely to become depressed. “...a variety of chronic health problems disproportionately affecting the poor, with the incidence of depression showing the strongest disparity: 31 percent of Americans under the U.S. Census Bureau's poverty threshold in 2011 had been diagnosed with the disorder, as opposed to 15.8 percent of those not in poverty.” --Gallup- Healthways Well-Being Index study

Personal Experience When I was seventeen I was diagnosed with chronic depression. From the time I was young I remember being constantly sad all the time. I thought feeling that way was normal. As I have grown older and visited with therapists I have learned that coping mechanisms and different ways to re- direct my mind into thinking positively. Staying positive and optimistic about life in general is something that is very hard for me even when on medication. I have realized the psychological aspects of my depression in that my thoughts directly affect my happiness. It has taken me a lot of time and effort to re-route my thinking patterns and develop a new mindset. A combination of medication and psycho-dynamic therapy has helped me cope with my depressive disorder.