Is it Biological or Cognitive-Behavioral

The issue at hand is whether biological factors or cognitive-behavioral elements are underlying causes of

major depressive disorders (MDD) witnessed today in mental health clinics across the world.
The position and perspective of this author is that the chief cause of MDD seen in clinical practice today is cognitive-behavioral.

Childhood trauma, chronic stress, and anxiety all alter chemical pathways in the human brain which leads to a decrease in key neurotransmitter levels. This in turn correlates to a major depressive episode in later life. These facts are irrefutable and independent of any hypothesized “genetic” predisposition or hereditary component.

Supporting Argument 1:
            In the research performed by Murrough, et al, and published in the 2011 September issue of the Journal of American Medical Association, (JAMA Psychiatry), there is empirical evidence to support the idea that an incidence of trauma at an early age produces neurobiological and behavioral alterations in the human body suggesting a developmental component in the cause of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a high comorbity with MDD (Murrough, et al, 2011).
Supporting Argument 2:
            In another study by Dr. J. Hovens in 2012 and published in the Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, a longitudinal study of childhood trauma victims over a two year period resulted in high incidences of MDD with individuals who experienced “emotional neglect” and “psychological abuse” (Hovens, et al., 2012).

Supporting Argument 3:
            In a study by C. Cutrona in 2006, the effects of a contextual involvement for depression becomes clear. Within her research, Cutrona takes into account that a prolonged exposure to stress and anxiety within this context can also produce an “environment” (such as a neighborhood and threats of victimization) that leads to depression (Cutrona, 2006).
Supporting argument 4:
            In his article for the Psychological Bulletin in 2008, Edward Watkins gives the psychological community a link between the outcomes on depression and repetitive thought, or RT. This has to deal with self-esteem and whether or not our repetitive thoughts are “constructive” or “destructive” (Watkins, 2008). Destructive RT can have negative consequences and prolonged exposure can lead to MDD if not held in check.

John

References:
Cutrona, C. E., Wallace, G., & Wesner, K. A. (2006). Neighborhood characteristics

and depression: An examination of stress processes. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(4), 188–192.

Hovens, J., Giltay, E., Wiersma, J., Spinhoven, P., Penninx, J., & Zitman, F. (2012).

Impact of childhood life events and trauma on the course of depressive and anxiety disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 126, 198-207

Murrough, J. Czermak, C., Henry, S., Nabulsi, N., Gallezot, J., et al. (2011) The

Effect of Early Trauma Exposure on Serotonin Type 1B Receptor Expression Revealed by Reduced Selective Radioligand Binding. JAMA Psychiatry, 68, (9), 892-900. Retrieved from Capella University Library, EBSCOhost http://web.b.ebscohost.com.library.capella.edu/ehost/command/detail?sid=9fc5a9ad-f6f5-48d1-8f8e-0a82655e27bd%40sessionmgr113&vid=23&hid=119

Watkins, E., (2008), Constructive and Unconstructive Repetitive Thought,

Psychological Bulletin, (134), (2), 163–206. Retrieved from Capella Library, EBSCOhost, http://web.a.ebscohost.com.library.capella.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a0a19980-b2af-48d8-b2ca-d48eab7dfa2c%40sessionmgr4001&vid=7&hid=4201

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Links to Substance Abuse Through Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety, Depression, and Substance Abuse

Unless one is a practicing clinician, depression and substance abuse are not typically thought of as occurring together. Maybe this is because they are two separate diagnoses and people view them that way in the realm of disorders as well. On the other hand, many experts believe that depression can lead to substance abuse and vice-versa. This article will look at major depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, then contrast and compare similarities, as well as differences. Then it will look at how each of these disorders is linked to the other.

Read more about Anxiety, Depression, and Substance Abuse at http://myaddictedmind.com/anxietydepressionsubabuse.html

A Lesson On Ethics in Psychotherapy

The case history of the 17 year-old adolescent male involves delinquency and an apparent indifference (or

inability) by the parents to maintain any sort of stability in the household. The father is a prominent leader in the community with a wandering eye for the females. His accounts of public infidelity have driven a wedge between him and his wife over the years and he has distanced himself from his son as well. The mother did not want the divorce because of her religious upbringing, but could not take the public embarrassment and shame. She thus became more distant, despondent, and turned to alcohol to ease the pain. 

The child has been in and out of trouble since the age of 14 when he and some friends stole a car and crashed after a high-speed chase with law enforcement. The child has since had issues with substance abuse and larceny to support his heroin addiction.  The child is now in therapy as a result of the court’s pressure on the father and threat of admittance to a children’s psychiatric hospital.

At odds with the custodial parent’s wishes for the noncustodial parent not to be involved in the child’s therapy, the psychotherapist takes the position of “do no harm” to the client. (APA, 2010).  The therapist then speaks with the child to better understand his wishes concerning his mother’s involvement. The child is emotionally indifferent and could “care less” either way. However, the therapist believes that having both parents involved would promote beneficence for the child client. The therapist now needs to get answers to his questions from other colleagues.

Read more at My Addicted mind.Com