ipl-logo

Monoamine Theory

544 Words3 Pages

In the case study, the patient is diagnosed with depression when he goes to his GP nine months after his daughter’s death. Depression is a mood disorder, and according to the DSM-IV (1), a ‘major depressive episode’ is when an individual experiences at least two weeks of a depressed mood or anhedonia, with children and teenagers possibly experiencing irritability as opposed to sadness. In addition, at least four more symptoms must be present almost all day, every day, for a minimum of 2 weeks. Furthermore, the symptom(s) must be new or much worse than they had been before the depressive episode. The patient in the case study presents with insomnia, weight loss, feelings of guilt, exhaustion, frequently being tearful, and no longer enjoying …show more content…

Rang et al (2) state that the main biochemical theory is the monoamine theory with a functional deficit of the monoamine neurotransmitters noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine causing depression. This theory came about from the observation that drugs which affected the monoamines in the brain led to either the onset or alleviation of symptoms of depression. There are, however, some problems with this theory. One such problem is that although antidepressants alter the levels of the neurotransmitters immediately, clinical effects take weeks to appear. Also, antidepressants do not work for everyone. Had depression been directly caused by neurotransmitter levels, there would be a higher success rate. Another issue is that not all patients have low levels, some patients actually have high levels of the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine in particular. (3) There may also be neuroendocrine mechanisms involved, with half of depressed patients usually having high levels of cortisol, and the concentration not falling as it should when dexamethasone, a synthetic steroid, is given. Cortisol levels usually decrease once the depressive episode has passed. In some depressed patients, the circadian rhythm of cortisol release is out of sync. Levels should be low at night but they may be constant or high. However, this is not limited to depression and other plasma hormones are also affected. (2,

Show More
Related

  • Claimant Cases

    510 Words  | 3 Pages

    An initial assessment performed by David Williams, PsyD (Psychiatry), dated 06/30/2017, indicated that the claimant presented with depression. She had low comprehension. She was diagnosed with a moderate-severe depression. Individual therapy was recommended.

    Read More

  • Barbara Williams Case Paper

    1450 Words  | 6 Pages

    Patient Name: Barbara Williams Diagnoses/Symptoms: Barbara is diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety, insomnia, and bipolar. Her primary symptoms include sleep disturbances, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, trouble thinking and concentrating, fear, racing thoughts, and poor decision making skills. Formative Influences: Barbara had a difficult childhood growing up. Her mother abused alcohol and her father was never involved in her life. In Barbara’s early childhood, her mother committed suicide leaving Barbara to move away from her friends at school to live with her grandparents who took her in for raising.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Ride The Tiger A Guide Through The Bipolar Brain

    637 Words  | 3 Pages

    The video “Ride the Tiger: A guide through the Bipolar Brain” introduced and explored new insights in brain science that are being used to create new and more effective treatments for Bipolar and depression. It is important to understand about how the biological components of these disorders affect our patents and how effective medication can be. I can use this information to guide clinical decisions when working with clients who suffer from Bipolar or Depression. Initially, this video gave me a greater understanding about how much biology affects these disorders and the importance of incorporating referrals to a psychiatrist is in our work. Using medication to address these disorders can be a life and death issue because of the prevalence of suicide risk associated with them.

    Read More

  • Ap Psychology Quiz

    1107 Words  | 5 Pages

    1. Mood disorders affect how you feel. Typically, everyone experiences changes in mood, but a person with diagnosed mood disorder could have: a. Problems with personal life b. Problems with physical health c. Problems at work d. All of the above 2. Which of the following is true about the biology of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)? a. The tertiary amines (e.g. imipramine) is typically metabolized by demethylation to the secondary active metabolites (e.g. desipramine) and thus inhibits the reuptake of noradrenaline b. The tertiary amines (e.g. imipramine) is typically metabolized by methylation to the secondary active metabolites (e.g. desipramine) and thus inhibits the reuptake of serotonin

    Read More

  • Ellen Waters Case Study

    916 Words  | 4 Pages

    After careful consideration of the information that has been presented for Ellen Waters, I have decided that she meets the criteria for (F34.1) Persistent Depressive Disorder Severe with atypical features: Early onset. I have come to this conclusion after considering the following information. The synopsis states that Ellen has been referred for a medication consultation by her Psychotherapist whom she has been seeing for the last two years. Criteria A states that the depressed mood has to be present for most of the day, for most days and that this depression must be indicated by “subjective account” or observed by others for at least two years.

    Read More

  • Hypnotherapy Research Paper

    950 Words  | 4 Pages

    These types includes: clinical depression, bipolar/manic depression, dysthymic disorder as well as postnatal depression (Hypnotherapy-directory, 2016). Depression is not only a single disorder; it has an inclusive amount of clinical concepts including mild mood disturbance which can occur in an anxious person to many lethal medical illnesses. Nonetheless, disorders including psychotic depression, unipolar or other mood disorders would be referred to as clinical depression (Heap 2012). This study will be looking at all the different types as a

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Biological And Psychological Explanations Of Major Depression

    434 Words  | 2 Pages

    Psychologically, major depression can be explained by the mind’s process of interpreting feelings. One could develop major depression after a series of significant losses. These could include things such as the loss a job, the death of a close relative, or even the separation of a significant other. These events can dramatically impact someone’s life thus pushing them into a depressive state. Biologically there are a number of things that contribute to major depressive disorder.

    Read More

  • Depression In Mexican Culture

    736 Words  | 3 Pages

    The idea that neural activity and lack of serotonin production can be a propel for depression,

    Read More

  • Ketamine Research Paper

    1126 Words  | 5 Pages

    Ketamine for Treatment Resistant Mood Disorders and Neuroplasticity Daniel Blitch Dr. David Paltin PSY678 National University   Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders Mood disorders, specifically depression, are the most common mental health problem facing the world today. Disorders have an objective scale to be scored under and classified, yet the physical manifestation within different patients are unique. Sometimes, however, the profound intricacies of a particular mood disorder cannot be treated in the same way that other typical prognoses through route of medication or dynamic therapy techniques. In the last decade, implementation of controlled dosages of ketamine under clinical supervision have yielded positive results supporting

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Mental Depression

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    Questioning the Incomprehensible Mental illness is defined as health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behavior (or a combination of these) (American Psychiatric Association). There are different types of depression and they effect people differently also. With major depression working, sleeping, eating and spending time with friends and family becomes difficult to do because there is the constant feeling of hopelessness. Seeing that I have family and friends who suffer from depression, I wanted to learn more and see why people who are depressed think the way they do, what goes on inside their head to make them feel hopeless and if medication is the only way to help deal with depression even though for some people medicine doesn’t fully help them. What is the science behind depression and what makes a person’s brain chemistry without depression different from someone who suffer with depression?

    Read More

  • Depression In African America Essay

    1517 Words  | 7 Pages

    Mood disorders are among the most prevalent forms of mental illness. Severe forms of depression affect 2%–5% of the U.S. population, and up to 20% of the population suffers from milder forms of the illness. Depression is almost twice more common in females than males. ( (Nestler et al., 2002). Depression is often described as a stress-related disorder, and there is good evidence that episodes of depression often occur in the context of some form of stress.

    Read More

  • Biological Explanations Of Depression Essay

    1654 Words  | 7 Pages

    Biological Explanations of Depression The biological explanations of depression refers to two factors one being neurotransmitter dysfunction and the other being inherited genes. The biological approach towards the neurotransmitter would explain how depression is associated with low levels of serotonin within the brain which would affect the functioning of the brain. This is associated with maladaptive behavior e.g. anger, mood disorder and anxiety. In terms of inherited genes the biological approach

    Read More

  • Depression In The 1800s

    876 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the nation and our world people are suffering from this disease. Depression effects people of both genders, all ages, and any background. The history of mental illness, specifically depression were extremely helpful in today’s treatment and diagnosis. We know that all individuals are different and because of this, we can assume that each case of mental illness, more specifically depression, is unique in its own way as well. One treatment that is very effective for one person may not be equally as effective in a similar case simply because of the differences in patients.

    Read More

  • Treatment Resistance Depression Case Study

    1139 Words  | 5 Pages

    This is very certain that patient is going through treatment resistance depression (TRD ) due to disconnect of some neurotransmitters. According to Moukaddam & Shah (2016) is a situation

    Read More

  • Physical Exercise Benefits

    956 Words  | 4 Pages

    Out of all three sources, this one by far goes into the greatest depth and detail in the scientific reasoning for exercise’s effect on depression. The article begins by explaining that the levels of BDNF (Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor), which has antidepressant effects, are increased when one participates in regular exercise which is why many depressed individuals are prescribed to become active. To summarize, when the authors’ examined the effects of exercise and antidepressants, they found that BDNF levels respond similarly to exercise as they do to the antidepressant tranylcypromine. When utilized separately, both exercise and tranylcypromine take effect in about two weeks but when administered simultaneously, they can positively affect the brain in just two days. The authors also explain that increased stress levels may be linked to depression and another test they ran showed that exercise and antidepressants together have a significant positive impact on BDNF levels in the hippocampus, improving stress response.

    Read More

More about Monoamine Theory

Open Document