an essay about depression

Essays About Depression: Top 8 Examples Plus Prompts

Many people deal with mental health issues throughout their lives; if you are writing essays about depression, you can read essay examples to get started.

An occasional feeling of sadness is something that everyone experiences from time to time. Still, a persistent loss of interest, depressed mood, changes in energy levels, and sleeping problems can indicate mental illness. Thankfully, antidepressant medications, therapy, and other types of treatment can be largely helpful for people living with depression.

People suffering from depression or other mood disorders must work closely with a mental health professional to get the support they need to recover. While family members and other loved ones can help move forward after a depressive episode, it’s also important that people who have suffered from major depressive disorder work with a medical professional to get treatment for both the mental and physical problems that can accompany depression.

If you are writing an essay about depression, here are 8 essay examples to help you write an insightful essay. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. My Best Friend Saved Me When I Attempted Suicide, But I Didn’t Save Her by Drusilla Moorhouse
2. How can I complain? by James Blake
3. What it’s like living with depression: A personal essay by Nadine Dirks
4. I Have Depression, and I’m Proof that You Never Know the Battle Someone is Waging Inside by Jac Gochoco
5. Essay: How I Survived Depression by Cameron Stout
6. I Can’t Get Out of My Sweat Pants: An Essay on Depression by Marisa McPeck-Stringham
7. This is what depression feels like by Courtenay Harris Bond

8. Opening Up About My Struggle with Recurring Depression by Nora Super

1. what is depression, 2. how is depression diagnosed, 3. causes of depression, 4. different types of depression, 5. who is at risk of depression, 6. can social media cause depression, 7. can anyone experience depression, the final word on essays about depression, is depression common, what are the most effective treatments for depression.

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Top 8 Examples

1. my best friend saved me when i attempted suicide, but i didn’t save her by drusilla moorhouse.

“Just three months earlier, I had been a patient in another medical facility: a mental hospital. My best friend, Denise, had killed herself on Christmas, and days after the funeral, I told my mom that I wanted to die. I couldn’t forgive myself for the role I’d played in Denise’s death: Not only did I fail to save her, but I’m fairly certain I gave her the idea.”

Moorhouse makes painstaking personal confessions throughout this essay on depression, taking the reader along on the roller coaster of ups and downs that come with suicide attempts, dealing with the death of a loved one, and the difficulty of making it through major depressive disorder.

2. How can I complain? by James Blake

“I wanted people to know how I felt, but I didn’t have the vocabulary to tell them. I have gone into a bit of detail here not to make anyone feel sorry for me but to show how a privileged, relatively rich-and-famous-enough-for-zero-pity white man could become depressed against all societal expectations and allowances. If I can be writing this, clearly it isn’t only oppression that causes depression; for me it was largely repression.”

Musician James Blake shares his experience with depression and talks about his struggles with trying to grow up while dealing with existential crises just as he began to hit the peak of his fame. Blake talks about how he experienced guilt and shame around the idea that he had it all on the outside—and so many people deal with issues that he felt were larger than his.

3. What it’s like living with depression: A personal essay by Nadine Dirks

“In my early adulthood, I started to feel withdrawn, down, unmotivated, and constantly sad. What initially seemed like an off-day turned into weeks of painful feelings that seemed they would never let up. It was difficult to enjoy life with other people my age. Depression made typical, everyday tasks—like brushing my teeth—seem monumental. It felt like an invisible chain, keeping me in bed.”

Dirks shares her experience with depression and the struggle she faced to find treatment for mental health issues as a Black woman. Dirks discusses how even though she knew something about her mental health wasn’t quite right, she still struggled to get the diagnosis she needed to move forward and receive proper medical and psychological care.

4. I Have Depression, and I’m Proof that You Never Know the Battle Someone is Waging Inside by Jac Gochoco

“A few years later, at the age of 20, my smile had fallen, and I had given up. The thought of waking up the next morning was too much for me to handle. I was no longer anxious or sad; instead, I felt numb, and that’s when things took a turn for the worse. I called my dad, who lived across the country, and for the first time in my life, I told him everything. It was too late, though. I was not calling for help. I was calling to say goodbye.”

Gochoco describes the war that so many people with depression go through—trying to put on a brave face and a positive public persona while battling demons on the inside. The Olympic weightlifting coach and yoga instructor now work to share the importance of mental health with others.

5. Essay: How I Survived Depression by Cameron Stout

“In 1993, I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed an antidepressant. Within two months, the medication slowly gained traction. As the gray sludge of sadness and apathy washed away, I emerged from a spiral of impending tragedy. I helped raise two wonderful children, built a successful securities-litigation practice, and became an accomplished cyclist. I began to take my mental wellness for granted. “

Princeton alum Cameron Stout shared his experience with depression with his fellow Tigers in Princeton’s alumni magazine, proving that even the most brilliant and successful among us can be rendered powerless by a chemical imbalance. Stout shares his experience with treatment and how working with mental health professionals helped him to come out on the other side of depression.

6. I Can’t Get Out of My Sweat Pants: An Essay on Depression by Marisa McPeck-Stringham

“Sometimes, when the depression got really bad in junior high, I would come straight home from school and change into my pajamas. My dad caught on, and he said something to me at dinner time about being in my pajamas several days in a row way before bedtime. I learned it was better not to change into my pajamas until bedtime. People who are depressed like to hide their problematic behaviors because they are so ashamed of the way they feel. I was very ashamed and yet I didn’t have the words or life experience to voice what I was going through.”

McPeck-Stringham discusses her experience with depression and an eating disorder at a young age; both brought on by struggles to adjust to major life changes. The author experienced depression again in her adult life, and thankfully, she was able to fight through the illness using tried-and-true methods until she regained her mental health.

7. This is what depression feels like by Courtenay Harris Bond

“The smallest tasks seem insurmountable: paying a cell phone bill, lining up a household repair. Sometimes just taking a shower or arranging a play date feels like more than I can manage. My children’s squabbles make me want to scratch the walls. I want to claw out of my own skin. I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel is a solitary candle about to blow out at any moment. At the same time, I feel like the pain will never end.”

Bond does an excellent job of helping readers understand just how difficult depression can be, even for people who have never been through the difficulty of mental illness. Bond states that no matter what people believe the cause to be—chemical imbalance, childhood issues, a combination of the two—depression can make it nearly impossible to function.

“Once again, I spiraled downward. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t work. I had thoughts of harming myself. This time, my husband urged me to start ECT much sooner in the cycle, and once again, it worked. Within a matter of weeks I was back at work, pretending nothing had happened. I kept pushing myself harder to show everyone that I was “normal.” I thought I had a pattern: I would function at a high level for many years, and then my depression would be triggered by a significant event. I thought I’d be healthy for another ten years.”

Super shares her experience with electroconvulsive therapy and how her depression recurred with a major life event despite several years of solid mental health. Thankfully, Super was able to recognize her symptoms and get help sooner rather than later.

7 Writing Prompts on Essays About Depression

When writing essays on depression, it can be challenging to think of essay ideas and questions. Here are six essay topics about depression that you can use in your essay.

Depression can be difficult to define and understand. Discuss the definition of depression, and delve into the signs, symptoms, and possible causes of this mental illness. Depression can result from trauma or personal circumstances, but it can also be a health condition due to genetics. In your essay, look at how depression can be spotted and how it can affect your day-to-day life.

Depression diagnosis can be complicated; this essay topic will be interesting as you can look at the different aspects considered in a diagnosis. While a certain lab test can be conducted, depression can also be diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Research the different ways depression can be diagnosed and discuss the benefits of receiving a diagnosis in this essay.

There are many possible causes of depression; this essay discusses how depression can occur. Possible causes of depression can include trauma, grief, anxiety disorders, and some physical health conditions. Look at each cause and discuss how they can manifest as depression.

There are many different types of depression. This essay topic will investigate each type of depression and its symptoms and causes. Depression symptoms can vary in severity, depending on what is causing it. For example, depression can be linked to medical conditions such as bipolar disorder. This is a different type of depression than depression caused by grief. Discuss the details of the different types of depression and draw comparisons and similarities between them.

Certain genetic traits, socio-economic circumstances, or age can make people more prone to experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is becoming more and more common amongst young adults and teenagers. Discuss the different groups at risk of experiencing depression and how their circumstances contribute to this risk.

Social media poses many challenges to today’s youth, such as unrealistic beauty standards, cyber-bullying, and only seeing the “highlights” of someone’s life. Can social media cause depression in teens? Delve into the negative impacts of social media when writing this essay. You could compare the positive and negative sides of social media and discuss whether social media causes mental health issues amongst young adults and teenagers.

This essay question poses the question, “can anyone experience depression?” Although those in lower-income households may be prone to experiencing depression, can the rich and famous also experience depression? This essay discusses whether the privileged and wealthy can experience their possible causes. This is a great argumentative essay topic, discuss both sides of this question and draw a conclusion with your final thoughts.

When writing about depression, it is important to study examples of essays to make a compelling essay. You can also use your own research by conducting interviews or pulling information from other sources. As this is a sensitive topic, it is important to approach it with care; you can also write about your own experiences with mental health issues.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

FAQs On Essays About Depression

According to the World Health Organization, about 5% of people under 60 live with depression. The rate is slightly higher—around 6%—for people over 60. Depression can strike at any age, and it’s important that people who are experiencing symptoms of depression receive treatment, no matter their age.

Suppose you’re living with depression or are experiencing some of the symptoms of depression. In that case, it’s important to work closely with your doctor or another healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan that works for you. A combination of antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy is a good fit for many people, but this isn’t necessarily the case for everyone who suffers from depression. Be sure to check in with your doctor regularly to ensure that you’re making progress toward improving your mental health.

If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

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Everyone experiences sadness at times. But depression is something more. Depression is extreme sadness or despair that lasts more than days. It interferes with the activities of daily life and can cause physical symptoms such as pain, weight loss or gain, sleeping pattern disruptions, or lack of energy.

People with depression may also experience an inability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Depression is the most common mental disorder. Fortunately, depression is treatable. A combination of therapy and antidepressant medication can help ensure recovery.

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

Resources from APA

silhouette of a group of teen girls holding hands

Antidepressant use among teen girls and young women

No such rise among teen boys and young men during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

back view of a woman with her hands on her head

Improving concussion care

Psychologists’ important role in treating anxiety and depression after concussions

Effective treatment for autistic adults

There are few, if any, support services for autistic people transitioning to adulthood.

man sitting on the ground holding his arm

Chronic pain is linked to depression and anxiety

Many also experience work limitations, difficulty completing errands alone, and trouble taking part in social activities

More resources about depression

What APA is doing

Collage of human faces dealing with depression

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression

Breastfeeding Doesn't Need to Suck

Treatment of Psychosocial Risk Factors in Depression

Not So Abnormal Psychology

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Deliberate Practice in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Magination Press children’s books

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Journal special issues

Exceptional Canadian Contributions to Research in Depression / Les contributions canadiennes exceptionnelles à la recherche sur la dépression

Depression as a Psychological Disorder Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Depression is a popular mental condition that can affect anyone. It has various forms, symptoms, and ways of development, which may all be different for each person (Stringaris, 2017). The World Health Organization (2017) calculated in 2015 that 4.4% of the total world population suffers from depression, with 322 million unique cases registered worldwide (p. 8). Moreover, they concluded that since 2005 the number of people with depressive disorders increased by 18.4%, which “reflects the overall growth of the global population, as well as a proportionate increase in the age groups” (World Health Organization, 2017, p. 8). Thus, the topic of depression remains a scientific point of interest per the continuing growth of population numbers worldwide. Summarizing and evaluating the information that trusted journals have published on the topic of depression might help create a well-rounded review of the condition and the scientific community’s understanding of it.

The Present Definition of a Depressive Disorder

Depression can be defined as a disorder that affects a person’s mental health, resulting in a dampened emotional state for an extended time. It is an exhausting mental condition that affects people’s daily lives by influencing them towards adopting negative patterns of behavior (Lu, Li, Li, Wang, & Zhang, 2016). People with depression may respond to external stimuli dully and, thus, become unable to experience the same breadth of emotion that had previously been available to them. In turn, these circumstances lead to increased rates of suicide among those suffering from major depressive disorders, particularly among adolescents, making it a “potentially lethal” mental health condition (Stringaris, 2017, p. 1287). The World Health Organization (2017) distinguishes between depressive and anxiety disorders, outlining the fact that different circumstances cause the two problems. However, depression may be identified as retaining a leading position in mental health studies. This popularity may be due to its ability to be used as an umbrella term for different combinations of depressive symptoms.

The Background Mechanisms and Symptoms of Depression in Literature

The likely causes of depression can be gathered into a long list. Its lineup may include a person’s genetic predisposition, various environmental influences, hormonal fluctuations, and even traumatic life experiences. Initially, researchers even linked depressive disorders with a lack of serotonin, the absence which continues to be thought of as the leading cause of clinical depression (Cowen & Browning, 2015). However, no proven evidence regarding why people become depressed exists (World Health Organization, 2017). Nonetheless, hypotheses regarding chemical imbalances and disruptions of neural networks within the brain remain the process’s leading explanations (Cowen & Browning, 2015; Lu et al., 2016). Due to these continuing doubts within the scientific community, the most common identification for depression remains how a person behaves (Fried & Nesse, 2015). Therefore, while the origins of depression remain hidden, clinical practitioners continue paying close attention to how people reveal their illness to provide them with treatment.

Symptomatology is the mass of collected evidence regarding a person’s health. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person should demonstrate at least five out of nine symptoms below to de considered depressed:

1. depressed mood; 2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure; 3. increase or decrease in either weight or appetite; 4. insomnia or hypersomnia; 5. psychomotor agitation or retardation; 6. fatigue or loss of energy; 7. feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt; 8. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness; and 9. recurrent thoughts of death. (Fried & Nesse, 2015, p. 1-2).

While this list may not be considered final, it remains the basis for identifying depression. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that all people experience depression differently (Salk, Hyde, & Abramson, 2017). Furthermore, some symptoms may carry more weight during diagnosis than others (Fried, Epskamp, Nesse, Tuerlinckx, & Borsboom, 2016). Thus, the widely accepted DSM-5 standard relies on a person’s self-identification per their personal understanding of their behavior.

Treatment: Who and How

It may be appropriate to preface treatment options for depressive disorders with a highlight of groups that may be at risk. Research findings suggest that women report higher incidences of depression than men due to both their different socioeconomic positions and inherent “biological sex differences,” which link with hormonal changes, for example, different estrogen levels (Albert, 2015, p. 219; Mojtabai, Olfson, & Han, 2016). A paper by Salk et al. (2017) reports that this difference between the numbers of depressed men and women reaches its highest point during adolescence, evening out only after teenagers reach adulthood. Considering additional factors, such as “abuse, education and income,” may also help identify other population levels that could be susceptible to depression (Albert, 2015, p. 219). Thus, while women retain a higher possibility of becoming depressed, other factors that are independent of gender also play a role in deciding at-risk groups.

Depression’s treatment can merely attempt to correct people’s behavior, considering the hidden nature of its causes. Thus, antidepressants may be highlighted as remaining the most popular treatment option. The “pharmacological actions of drugs” continue to be the best currently available link to both treating the condition and examining what may cause it (Cowen & Browning, 2015, p. 158). However, the majority of antidepressants cause side effects that are equal to the symptoms of depression, for example, lessened emotional responsivity, fatigue, and suicidal tendencies (Fried & Nesse, 2015). This fact is particularly painful to consider in combination with the findings of a paper by Mojtabai et al. (2016) that states that treatment trends from “2005 to 2014” have remained unchanged (p. 6). Therefore, it may be assumed that the continuing lack of knowledge regarding the causes of depression may be preventing its treatment methods from progressing to new levels.

The Problem with Defining Depression

The scientific community may be moving towards rejecting using depression as an umbrella term. Instead, it could be showing a tendency to focus on people’s individual experiences. The ongoing research processes struggle to identify depression as either a sum of its symptoms or a separate condition (Fried & Nesse, 2015). Furthermore, most researchers cannot agree on whether the depressive disorder is a spectrum or a sequence of events (Stringaris, 2017). However, they admit that rejecting depression, as a term, would be harmful to mental health practice (Stringaris, 2017). Thus, when Stringaris (2017) asks, “What is depression?” it is not a rhetorical question, but rather a recognition of the current state of affairs (p. 1288). Therefore, the findings of researchers who attempt to categorize people by their population type, for example, Albert (2015), Mojtabai et al. (2016), and Salk et al. (2017), become problematic per their disregard for depression’s subgroups. The fact that people with different symptoms and magnitudes of depression can be considered ill could be a continuing research restriction.

Recognizing the existence of varying stages of depression should lead to questioning the proposed DSM-5 symptom-checker since it is the one on which most of the diagnoses are based. Both studies by Fried and Nesse (2015) and Fried et al. (2016) support the idea that personal experiences remain more critical during diagnosis than checklists. Haroz et al. (2017) further outline the DSM-5 as a western-oriented mental healthcare tool that does not carry the same effect for non-western populations. These facts may be in line with current research trends, as they seem to discourage using depression as an umbrella term. However, as identified by Stringaris (2017), this development could lead to either a perfection of existing clinical approaches or “vast confusion among clinicians and patients” (p. 1288). Thus, while these research papers could help define the future of depression awareness, the benefits of the foundation provided by the DSM-5 should not be rejected.

Existing Hindrances to Perfecting Treatment Methods

The used literature may indicate a continuing period of inactivity in developing new treatment methods for depression. This area of study remains mainly medicine-focused, full of side effects, and directed towards removing the illness’s symptoms rather than the sickness itself. The two existing brain-related and chemical explanations for depression may be the most traditional, but they too remain underdeveloped and under-tested. Lu et al. (2016) recognize that their cited and conducted experiments, which focus on rodents and mice, can have only a limited number of suggestions for treating human depression. However, the paper by Cowen and Browning (2015) that highlights the chemical serotonin as the catalyst for people’s “emotional processing” during treatment may hold serious meaning for future research (p. 160). Nonetheless, the continuing lack of answers regarding the causes of depression, its nature, and progress may pose the biggest problem in finding a cure.

The Future of Current Research Trends

The existing differences within the mental health scientific community may be driving the topic of depression in different directions. The statistics regarding the worldwide numbers of depressed people may become troublesome to consider since Haroz et al. (2017) claim that different cultures report depression differently. Thus, focusing on at-risk groups with an approach that raises awareness for mental health may be the future of depression studies (Mojtabai et al., 2016). Moreover, Stringaris (2017) urges researchers to “being open to the fact that both [depression’s] content may prove heterogeneous, and that its boundaries may need to shift” (p. 128). Thus, research still has to prove most facts about depression. However, a lack of definitive answers may mean a greater extent of flexibility when deciding the appropriate research and treatment methods.

The carried out literature review allowed outlining the major scientific trends in modern-day depression studies. Depression remains one of the most popularly studied mental health conditions, with researchers applying the term to people who show any combination of its many symptoms. However, the cause of the sickness remains unknown, which prevents researchers from predicting how it can progress. As such, depression studies retain a high amount of flexibility, which may be considered both a positive and negative thing. Thus, current trends focus on instead promoting different sides of depressive disorder studies, from determining at-risk groups to documenting brain processes during illness through conducting experiments. By doing so, researchers hope to understand the disease’s origins through testing various treatment methods. This development may expand the current understanding of depressive disorders’ different features. Therefore, modern depression research remains an ongoing process that hopes to better the quality of care provided to those suffering from the condition.

Albert, P. R. (2015). Why is depression more prevalent in women? Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience: JPN , 40 (4), 219-221. Web.

Cowen, P. J., & Browning, M. (2015). What has serotonin to do with depression? World Psychiatry , 14 (2), 158-160. Web.

Fried, E. I., & Nesse, R. M. (2015). Depression sum-scores don’t add up: Why analyzing specific depression symptoms is essential. BMC Medicine , 13 (1), 1-11. Web.

Fried, E. I., Epskamp, S., Nesse, R. M., Tuerlinckx, F., & Borsboom, D. (2016). What are ‘good’ depression symptoms? Comparing the centrality of DSM and non-DSM symptoms of depression in a network analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders , 189 , 314-320. Web.

Haroz, E. E., Ritchey, M., Bass, J. K., Kohrt, B. A., Augustinavicius, J., Michalopoulos, L.,… Bolton, P. (2017). How is depression experienced around the world? A systematic review of qualitative literature. Social Science & Medicine , 183 , 1-29. Web.

Lu, C., Li, Q., Li, Y., Wang, Y., & Zhang, Y. F. (2016). A short glance at the neural circuitry mechanism underlying depression. World Journal of Neuroscience , 6 (03), 184-192. Web.

Mojtabai, R., Olfson, M., & Han, B. (2016). National trends in the prevalence and treatment of depression in adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics , 138 (6), 1-10. Web.

Salk, R. H., Hyde, J. S., & Abramson, L. Y. (2017). Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychological Bulletin , 143 (8), 783. Web.

Stringaris, A. (2017). What is depression? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry , 58 (12), 1287-1289. Web.

World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: Global health estimates . Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

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7 Depression Research Paper Topic Ideas

In psychology classes, it's common for students to write a depression research paper. Researching depression may be beneficial if you have a personal interest in this topic and want to learn more, or if you're simply passionate about this mental health issue. However, since depression is a very complex subject, it offers many possible topics to focus on, which may leave you wondering where to begin.

If this is how you feel, here are a few research titles about depression to help inspire your topic choice. You can use these suggestions as actual research titles about depression, or you can use them to lead you to other more in-depth topics that you can look into further for your depression research paper.

What Is Depression?

Everyone experiences times when they feel a little bit blue or sad. This is a normal part of being human. Depression, however, is a medical condition that is quite different from everyday moodiness.

Your depression research paper may explore the basics, or it might delve deeper into the definition of clinical depression or the difference between clinical depression and sadness .

What Research Says About the Psychology of Depression

Studies suggest that there are biological, psychological, and social aspects to depression, giving you many different areas to consider for your research title about depression.

Types of Depression

There are several different types of depression that are dependent on how an individual's depression symptoms manifest themselves. Depression symptoms may vary in severity or in what is causing them. For instance, major depressive disorder (MDD) may have no identifiable cause, while postpartum depression is typically linked to pregnancy and childbirth.

Depressive symptoms may also be part of an illness called bipolar disorder. This includes fluctuations between depressive episodes and a state of extreme elation called mania. Bipolar disorder is a topic that offers many research opportunities, from its definition and its causes to associated risks, symptoms, and treatment.

Causes of Depression

The possible causes of depression are many and not yet well understood. However, it most likely results from an interplay of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. Your depression research paper could explore one or more of these causes and reference the latest research on the topic.

For instance, how does an imbalance in brain chemistry or poor nutrition relate to depression? Is there a relationship between the stressful, busier lives of today's society and the rise of depression? How can grief or a major medical condition lead to overwhelming sadness and depression?

Who Is at Risk for Depression?

This is a good research question about depression as certain risk factors may make a person more prone to developing this mental health condition, such as a family history of depression, adverse childhood experiences, stress , illness, and gender . This is not a complete list of all risk factors, however, it's a good place to start.

The growing rate of depression in children, teenagers, and young adults is an interesting subtopic you can focus on as well. Whether you dive into the reasons behind the increase in rates of depression or discuss the treatment options that are safe for young people, there is a lot of research available in this area and many unanswered questions to consider.

Depression Signs and Symptoms

The signs of depression are those outward manifestations of the illness that a doctor can observe when they examine a patient. For example, a lack of emotional responsiveness is a visible sign. On the other hand, symptoms are subjective things about the illness that only the patient can observe, such as feelings of guilt or sadness.

An illness such as depression is often invisible to the outside observer. That is why it is very important for patients to make an accurate accounting of all of their symptoms so their doctor can diagnose them properly. In your depression research paper, you may explore these "invisible" symptoms of depression in adults or explore how depression symptoms can be different in children .

How Is Depression Diagnosed?

This is another good depression research topic because, in some ways, the diagnosis of depression is more of an art than a science. Doctors must generally rely upon the patient's set of symptoms and what they can observe about them during their examination to make a diagnosis.

While there are certain laboratory tests that can be performed to rule out other medical illnesses as a cause of depression, there is not yet a definitive test for depression itself.

If you'd like to pursue this topic, you may want to start with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The fifth edition, known as DSM-5, offers a very detailed explanation that guides doctors to a diagnosis. You can also compare the current model of diagnosing depression to historical methods of diagnosis—how have these updates improved the way depression is treated?

Treatment Options for Depression

The first choice for depression treatment is generally an antidepressant medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most popular choice because they can be quite effective and tend to have fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is another effective and common choice. It is especially efficacious when combined with antidepressant therapy. Certain other treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), are most commonly used for patients who do not respond to more common forms of treatment.

Focusing on one of these treatments is an option for your depression research paper. Comparing and contrasting several different types of treatment can also make a good research title about depression.

A Word From Verywell

The topic of depression really can take you down many different roads. When making your final decision on which to pursue in your depression research paper, it's often helpful to start by listing a few areas that pique your interest.

From there, consider doing a little preliminary research. You may come across something that grabs your attention like a new study, a controversial topic you didn't know about, or something that hits a personal note. This will help you narrow your focus, giving you your final research title about depression.

Remes O, Mendes JF, Templeton P. Biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression: A review of recent literature . Brain Sci . 2021;11(12):1633. doi:10.3390/brainsci11121633

National Institute of Mental Health. Depression .

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition . American Psychiatric Association.

National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health medications .

Ferri, F. F. (2019). Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2020 E-Book: 5 Books in 1 . Netherlands: Elsevier Health Sciences.

By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be.

Primary Care Online Resources and Education

Conclusion depression.

Depression is one of the most common conditions in primary care, but is often unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. Depression has a high rate of morbidity and mortality when left untreated. Most patients suffering from depression do not complain of feeling depressed, but rather anhedonia or vague unexplained symptoms. All physicians should remain alert to effectively screen for depression in their patients. There are several screening tools for depression that are effective and feasible in primary care settings. An appropriate history, physical, initial basic lab evaluation, and mental status examination can assist the physician in diagnosing the patient with the correct depressive spectrum disorder (including bipolar disorder). Primary care physicians should carefully assess depressed patients for suicide. Depression in the elderly is not part of the normal aging process. Patients who are elderly when they have their first episode of depression have a relatively higher likelihood of developing chronic and recurring depression. The prognosis for recovery is equal in young and old patients, although remission may take longer to achieve in older patients. Elderly patients usually start antidepressants at lower doses than their younger counterparts.

Most primary care physician can successfully treat uncomplicated mild or moderate forms of major depression in their settings with careful psychiatric management (e.g., close monitoring of symptoms, side effects, etc.); maintaining a therapeutic alliance with their patient; pharmacotherapy (acute, continuation, and maintenance phases); and / or referral for psychotherapy. The following situations require referral to psychiatrist: suicide risk, bipolar disorder or a manic episode, psychotic symptoms, severe decrease in level of functioning, recurrent depression and chronic depression, depression that is refractory to treatment, cardiac disease that requires tricyclic antidepressants treatment, need for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), lack of available support system, and any diagnostic or treatment questions.

Antidepressant medications’ effectiveness is generally comparable across classes and within classes of medications. The medications differ in side effect profiles, drug-drug interactions, and cost. The history of a positive response to a particular drug for an individual or a family member, as well as patient preferences, should also be taken into account. Most psychiatrists agree that an SSRI should be the first line choice. The dual action reuptake inhibitors venlafaxine and bupropion are generally regarded as second line agents. Tricyclics and other mixed or dual action inhibitors are third line, and MAOI’s (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are usually medications of last resort for patients who have not responded to other medications, due to their low tolerability, dietary restrictions, and drug-drug interactions. Most primary care physicians would prefer that a psychiatrist manage patients requiring MAOI’s.

Psychotherapy may be a first line therapy choice for mild depression particularly when associated with psychosocial stress, interpersonal problems, or with concurrent developmental or personality disorders. Psychotherapy in mild to moderate depression is most effective in the acute phase, and in preventing relapse during continuation phase treatment. Psychotherapy is not appropriate alone for severe depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorders. For more severe depression, psychotherapy may be appropriate in combination with the use of medications. The most effective forms of psychotherapy are those with structured and brief approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and certain problem solving therapies. Regardless of the psychotherapy initiated, “psychiatric management” must be integrated at the same time.

Patients, who live with depression, and their family and friends, have enormous challenges to overcome. Primary care physicians can provide compassionate care, important education, psychiatric monitoring, social support, reassurance, and advocacy for these patients and their loved ones.

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434 Depression Essay Titles & Research Topics: Argumentative, Controversial, and More

Depression is undeniably one of the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, affecting approximately 5% of adults worldwide. It often manifests as intense feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Many also experience physical symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes. Recognizing and addressing this mental disorder is extremely important to save lives and treat the condition.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to write an essay about depression and introduce depression essay topics and research titles for students that may be inspirational.

🔝 Top Depression Essay Titles
✅ Essay Prompts
💡 Research Topics
🔎 Essay Titles
💭 Speech Topics
📝 Essay Structure

🔗 References

🔝 top 12 research titles about depression.

How is depression treated?
Depression: Risk factors.
The symptoms of depression.
What types of depression exist?
Depression in young people.
Differences between anxiety and depression.
The parents’ role in depression therapy.
Drugs as the root cause of depression.
Dangerous consequences of untreated depression.
Effect of long-term depression.
Different stages of depression.
Treatment for depression.

The picture provides a list of topics for a research paper about depression.

✅ Prompts for Essay about Depression

Struggling to find inspiration for your essay? Look no further! We’ve put together some valuable essay prompts on depression just for you!

Prompt for Personal Essay about Depression

Sharing your own experience with depression in a paper can be a good idea. Others may feel more motivated to overcome their situation after reading your story. You can also share valuable advice by discussing things or methods that have personally helped you deal with the condition.

For example, in your essay about depression, you can:

Tell about the time you felt anxious, hopeless, or depressed;
Express your opinion on depression based on the experiences from your life;
Suggest a way of dealing with the initial symptoms of depression ;
Share your ideas on how to protect mental health at a young age.

How to Overcome Depression: Essay Prompt

Sadness is a common human emotion, but depression encompasses more than just sadness. As reported by the National Institute of Mental Health, around 21 million adults in the United States, roughly 8.4% of the total adult population , faced at least one significant episode of depression in 2020. When crafting your essay about overcoming depression, consider exploring the following aspects:

Depression in young people and adolescents;
The main causes of depression;
The symptoms of depression;
Ways to treat depression;
Help from a psychologist (cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy ).

Postpartum Depression: Essay Prompt

The birth of a child often evokes a spectrum of powerful emotions, spanning from exhilaration and happiness to apprehension and unease. It can also trigger the onset of depression. Following childbirth, many new mothers experience postpartum “baby blues,” marked by shifts in mood, bouts of tears, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. To shed light on the subject of postpartum depression, explore the following questions:

What factors may increase the risk of postpartum depression?
Is postpartum depression predictable?
How to prevent postpartum depression?
What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
What kinds of postpartum depression treatments exist?

Prompt for Essay about Teenage Depression

Teenage depression is a mental health condition characterized by sadness and diminishing interest in daily activities. It can significantly impact a teenager’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior, often requiring long-term treatment and support.

By discussing the primary symptoms of teenage depression in your paper, you can raise awareness of the issue and encourage those in need to seek assistance. You can pay attention to the following aspects:

Emotional changes (feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, guilt, etc.);
Behavioral changes (loss of energy and appetite , less attention to personal hygiene, self-harm, etc.);
New addictions (drugs, alcohol, computer games, etc.).

💡 Research Topics about Depression

The role of genetics in depression development.
The effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic interventions for depression.
Anti-depression non-pharmacological and medication treatment.
The impact of childhood trauma on the onset of depression later in life.
Exploring the efficacy of antidepressant medication in different populations.
The impact of exercise on depression symptoms and treatment outcomes.
Mild depression: pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
The relationship between sleep disturbances and depression.
The role of gut microbiota in depression and potential implications for treatment.
Investigating the impact of social media on depression rates in adolescents.
Depression, dementia, and delirium in older people .
The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in preventing depression relapse.
The influence of hormonal changes on depression risk.
Assessing the effectiveness of self-help and digital interventions for depression.
Herbal and complementary therapies for depression.
The relationship between personality traits and vulnerability to depression.
Investigating the long-term consequences of untreated depression on physical health.
Exploring the link between chronic pain and depression.
Depression in the elderly male.
The impact of childhood experiences on depression outcomes in adulthood.
The use of ketamine and other novel treatments for depression.
The effect of stigma on depression diagnosis and treatment.
The conducted family assessment: cases of depression.
The role of social support in depression recovery.
The effectiveness of online support groups for individuals with depression.
Depression and cognitive decline in adults.
Depression: PICOT question component exploration .
Exploring the impact of nutrition and dietary patterns on depression symptoms.
Investigating the efficacy of art-based therapies in depression treatment.
The role of neuroplasticity in the development and treatment of depression.
Depression among HIV-positive women.
The influence of gender on depression prevalence and symptomatology.
Investigating the impact of workplace factors on depression rates and outcomes.
The efficacy of family-based interventions in reducing depression symptoms in teenagers.
Frontline nurses’ burnout, anxiety, depression, and fear statuses.
The role of early-life stress and adversity in depression vulnerability.
The impact of various environmental factors on depression rates.
Exploring the link between depression and cardiovascular health.
Depression detection in adults in nursing practice.
Virtual reality as a therapeutic tool for depression treatment.
Investigating the impact of childhood bullying on depression outcomes.
The benefits of animal-assisted interventions in depression management.
Depression and physical exercise.
The relationship between depression and suicidal behavior.
The influence of cultural factors on depression symptom expression.
Investigating the role of epigenetics in depression susceptibility.
Depression associated with cognitive dysfunction.
Exploring the impact of adverse trauma on the course of depression.
The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy in treating depression.
The relationship between depression and substance use disorders .
Depression and anxiety among college students.
Investigating the effectiveness of group therapy for depression.
Depression and chronic medical conditions.

Psychology Research Topics on Depression

The influence of early attachment experiences on the development of depression.
The impact of negative cognitive biases on depression symptomatology.
Depression treatment plan for a queer patient .
Examining the relationship between perfectionism and depression.
The role of self-esteem in depression vulnerability and recovery.
Exploring the link between maladaptive thinking styles (e.g., rumination, catastrophizing) and depression.
Investigating the impact of social support on depression outcomes and resilience.
Identifying depression in young adults at an early stage.
The influence of parenting styles on the risk of depression in children and adolescents.
The role of self-criticism and self-compassion in depression treatment.
Exploring the relationship between identity development and depression in emerging adulthood.
The role of learned helplessness in understanding depression and its treatment.
Depression in the elderly.
Examining the connection between self-efficacy beliefs and depression symptoms.
The influence of social comparison processes on depression and body image dissatisfaction.
Exploring the impact of trauma-related disorders on depression.
The role of resilience factors in buffering against the development of depression.
Investigating the relationship between personality traits and depression.
Depression and workplace violence .
The impact of cultural factors on depression prevalence and symptom presentation.
Investigating the effects of chronic stress on depression risk.
The role of coping strategies in depression management and recovery.
The correlation between discrimination/prejudice and depression/anxiety.
Exploring the influence of gender norms and societal expectations on depression rates.
The impact of adverse workplace conditions on employee depression.
Investigating the effectiveness of narrative therapy in treating depression.
Cognitive behavior and depression in adolescents .
Childhood emotional neglect and adult depression.
The influence of perceived social support on treatment outcomes in depression.
The effects of childhood bullying on the development of depression.
The impact of intergenerational transmission of depression within families.
Depression in children: symptoms and treatments.
Investigating the link between body dissatisfaction and depression in adolescence.
The influence of adverse life events and chronic stressors on depression risk.
The effects of peer victimization on the development of depression in adolescence.
Counselling clients with depression and addiction.
The role of experiential avoidance in depression and its treatment.
The impact of social media use and online interactions on depression rates.
Depression management in adolescent.
Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and depression symptomatology.
Investigating the influence of cultural values and norms on depression stigma and help-seeking behavior.
The effects of childhood maltreatment on neurobiological markers of depression.
Psychological and emotional conditions of suicide and depression.
Exploring the relationship between body dissatisfaction and depression.
The influence of self-worth contingencies on depression vulnerability and treatment response.
The impact of social isolation and loneliness on depression rates.
Psychology of depression among college students.
The effects of perfectionistic self-presentation on depression in college students.
The role of mindfulness skills in depression prevention and relapse prevention.
Investigating the influence of adverse neighborhood conditions on depression risk.
Personality psychology and depression.
The impact of attachment insecurity on depression symptomatology.

Postpartum Depression Research Topics

Identifying risk factors for postpartum depression.
Exploring the role of hormonal changes in postpartum depression.
“Baby blues” or postpartum depression and evidence-based care .
The impact of social support on postpartum depression.
The effectiveness of screening tools for early detection of postpartum depression.
The relationship between postpartum depression and maternal-infant bonding .
Postpartum depression educational program results.
Identifying effective interventions for preventing and treating postpartum depression.
Examining the impact of cultural factors on postpartum depression rates.
Investigating the role of sleep disturbances in postpartum depression.
Depression and postpartum depression relationship.
Exploring the impact of a traumatic birth experience on postpartum depression.
Assessing the impact of breastfeeding difficulties on postpartum depression.
Understanding the role of genetic factors in postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression: consequences.
Investigating the impact of previous psychiatric history on postpartum depression risk.
The potential benefits of exercise on postpartum depression symptoms.
The efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression in the twenty-first century.
The influence of partner support on postpartum depression outcomes.
Examining the relationship between postpartum depression and maternal self-esteem.
The impact of postpartum depression on infant development and well-being.
Maternal mood symptoms in pregnancy and postpartum depression.
The effectiveness of group therapy for postpartum depression management.
Identifying the role of inflammation and immune dysregulation in postpartum depression.
Investigating the impact of childcare stress on postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression among low-income US mothers.
The role of postnatal anxiety symptoms in postpartum depression.
The impact of postpartum depression on the marital relationship.
The influence of postpartum depression on parenting practices and parental stress.
Postpartum depression: symptoms, role of cultural factors, and ways to support.
Investigating the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for postpartum depression.
The impact of postpartum depression on breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
The relationship between postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Postpartum depression and its identification.
The impact of postpartum depression on cognitive functioning and decision-making.
Investigating the influence of cultural norms and expectations on postpartum depression rates.
The impact of maternal guilt and shame on postpartum depression symptoms.
Beck’s postpartum depression theory: purpose, concepts, and significance .
Understanding the role of attachment styles in postpartum depression vulnerability.
Investigating the effectiveness of online support groups for women with postpartum depression.
The impact of socioeconomic factors on postpartum depression prevalence.
Perinatal depression: research study and design.
The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for postpartum depression.
Investigating the influence of birth spacing on postpartum depression risk.
The role of trauma history in postpartum depression development.
The link between the birth experience and postnatal depression.
How does postpartum depression affect the mother-infant interaction and bonding ?
The effectiveness of home visiting programs in preventing and managing postpartum depression.
Assessing the influence of work-related stress on postpartum depression.
The relationship between postpartum depression and pregnancy-related complications.
The role of personality traits in postpartum depression vulnerability.

🔎 Depression Essay Titles

Depression essay topics: cause & effect.

The effects of childhood trauma on the development of depression in adults.
The impact of social media usage on the prevalence of depression in adolescents.
“Predictors of Postpartum Depression” by Katon et al.
The effects of environmental factors on depression rates.
The relationship between academic pressure and depression among college students.
The relationship between financial stress and depression.
The best solution to predict depression because of bullying.
How does long-term unemployment affect mental health ?
The effects of unemployment on mental health, particularly the risk of depression.
The impact of genetics and family history of depression on an individual’s likelihood of developing depression.
The relationship between depression and substance abuse.
Child abuse and depression.
The role of gender in the manifestation and treatment of depression.
The effects of chronic stress on the development of depression.
The link between substance abuse and depression.
Depression among students at Elon University.
The influence of early attachment styles on an individual’s vulnerability to depression.
The effects of sleep disturbances on the severity of depression.
Chronic illness and the risk of developing depression.
Depression: symptoms and treatment.
Adverse childhood experiences and the likelihood of experiencing depression in adulthood.
The relationship between chronic illness and depression.
The role of negative thinking patterns in the development of depression.
Effects of depression among adolescents.
The effects of poor body image and low self-esteem on the prevalence of depression.
The influence of social support systems on preventing symptoms of depression.
The effects of child neglect on adult depression rates.
Depression caused by hormonal imbalance.
The link between perfectionism and the risk of developing depression.
The effects of a lack of sleep on depression symptoms.
The effects of childhood abuse and neglect on the risk of depression.
Social aspects of depression and anxiety.
The impact of bullying on the likelihood of experiencing depression.
The role of serotonin and neurotransmitter imbalances in the development of depression.
The impact of a poor diet on depression rates.
Depression and anxiety run in the family .
The effects of childhood poverty and socioeconomic status on depression rates in adults.
The impact of divorce on depression rates.
The relationship between traumatic life events and the risk of developing depression.
The influence of personality traits on susceptibility to depression.
The impact of workplace stress on depression rates.
Depression in older adults: causes and treatment.
The impact of parental depression on children’s mental health outcomes.
The effects of social isolation on the prevalence and severity of depression.
The role of cultural factors in the manifestation and treatment of depression.
The relationship between childhood bullying victimization and future depressive symptoms.
The impact of early intervention and prevention programs on reducing the risk of postpartum depression.
Treating mood disorders and depression.
How do hormonal changes during pregnancy contribute to the development of depression?
The effects of sleep deprivation on the onset and severity of postpartum depression.
The impact of social media on depression rates among teenagers.
The role of genetics in the development of depression.
The impact of bullying on adolescent depression rates.
Mental illness, depression, and wellness issues.
The effects of a sedentary lifestyle on depression symptoms.
The correlation between academic pressure and depression in students.
The relationship between perfectionism and depression.
The correlation between trauma and depression in military veterans.
Anxiety and depression during childhood and adolescence.
The impact of racial discrimination on depression rates among minorities.
The relationship between chronic pain and depression.
The impact of social comparison on depression rates among young adults.
The effects of childhood abuse on adult depression rates.

Depression Argumentative Essay Topics

The role of social media in contributing to depression among teenagers.
The effectiveness of antidepressant medication: an ongoing debate.
Depression treatment: therapy or medications?
Should depression screening be mandatory in schools and colleges?
Is there a genetic predisposition to depression?
The stigma surrounding depression: addressing misconceptions and promoting understanding.
Implementation of depression screening in primary care .
Is psychotherapy more effective than medication in treating depression?
Is teenage depression overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed: a critical analysis.
The connection between depression and substance abuse: untangling the relationship.
Humanistic therapy of depression .
Should ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) be a treatment option for severe depression?
Where is depression more prevalent: in urban or rural communities? Analyzing the disparities.
Is depression a result of chemical imbalance in the brain? Debunking the myth.
Depression: a serious mental and behavioral problem.
Should depression medication be prescribed for children and adolescents?
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in managing depression.
Should depression in the elderly be considered a normal part of aging?
Is depression hereditary? Investigating the role of genetics in depression risk.
Different types of training in managing the symptoms of depression.
The effectiveness of online therapy platforms in treating depression.
Should psychedelic therapy be explored as an alternative treatment for depression?
The connection between depression and cardiovascular health: Is there a link?
The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in preventing depression relapse.
Depression as a bad a clinical condition.
Should mind-body interventions (e.g., yoga, meditation) be integrated into depression treatment?
Should emotional support animals be prescribed for individuals with depression?
The effectiveness of peer support groups in decreasing depression symptoms.
The use of antidepressants: are they overprescribed or necessary for treating depression?
Adult depression and anxiety as a complex problem.
The effectiveness of therapy versus medication in treating depression.
The stigma surrounding depression and mental illness: how can we reduce it?
The debate over the legalization of psychedelic drugs for treating depression.
The relationship between creativity and depression: does one cause the other?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and depression.
The role of childhood trauma in shaping adult depression: Is it always a causal factor?
The debate over the medicalization of sadness and grief as forms of depression.
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or meditation, are effective in treating depression.
Depression as a widespread mental condition.

Controversial Topics about Depression

The existence of “chemical imbalance” in depression: fact or fiction?
The over-reliance on medication in treating depression: are alternatives neglected?
Is depression overdiagnosed and overmedicated in Western society?
Measurement of an individual’s level of depression.
The role of Big Pharma in shaping the narrative and treatment of depression.
Should antidepressant advertisements be banned?
The inadequacy of current diagnostic criteria for depression: rethinking the DSM-5.
Is depression a biological illness or a product of societal factors?
Literature review on depression .
The overemphasis on biological factors in depression treatment: ignoring environmental factors.
Is depression a normal reaction to an abnormal society?
The influence of cultural norms on the perception and treatment of depression.
Should children and adolescents be routinely prescribed antidepressants?
The role of family in depression treatment.
The connection between depression and creative genius: does depression enhance artistic abilities?
The ethics of using placebo treatment for depression studies.
The impact of social and economic inequalities on depression rates.
Is depression primarily a mental health issue or a social justice issue?
Depression disassembling and treating.
Should depression screening be mandatory in the workplace?
The influence of gender bias in the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
The controversial role of religion and spirituality in managing depression.
Is depression a result of individual weakness or societal factors?
Abnormal psychology: anxiety and depression case .
The link between depression and obesity: examining the bidirectional relationship.
The connection between depression and academic performance: causation or correlation?
Should depression medication be available over the counter?
The impact of internet and social media use on depression rates: harmful or beneficial?
Interacting in the workplace: depression.
Is depression a modern epidemic or simply better diagnosed and identified?
The ethical considerations of using animals in depression research.
The effectiveness of psychedelic therapies for treatment-resistant depression.
Is depression a disability? The debate on workplace accommodations.
Polysubstance abuse among adolescent males with depression.
The link between depression and intimate partner violence : exploring the relationship.
The controversy surrounding “happy” pills and the pursuit of happiness.
Is depression a choice? Examining the role of personal responsibility.

Good Titles for Depression Essays

The poetic depictions of depression: exploring its representation in literature.
The melancholic symphony: the influence of depression on classical music.
Moderate depression symptoms and treatment.
Depression in modern music: analyzing its themes and expressions.
Cultural perspectives on depression: a comparative analysis of attitudes in different countries.
Contrasting cultural views on depression in Eastern and Western societies.
Diagnosing depression in the older population.
The influence of social media on attitudes and perceptions of depression in global contexts.
Countries with progressive approaches to mental health awareness.
From taboo to acceptance: the evolution of attitudes towards depression.
Depression screening tool in acute settings.
The Bell Jar : analyzing Sylvia Plath’s iconic tale of depression .
The art of despair: examining Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits as a window into depression.
The Catcher in the Rye : Holden Caulfield’s battle with adolescent depression.
Music as therapy: how jazz artists turned depression into art.
Depression screening tool for a primary care center.
The Nordic paradox: high depression rates in Scandinavian countries despite high-quality healthcare.
The Stoic East: how Eastern philosophies approach and manage depression.
From solitude to solidarity: collective approaches to depression in collectivist cultures.
The portrayal of depression in popular culture: a critical analysis of movies and TV shows.
The depression screening training in primary care.
The impact of social media influencers on depression rates among young adults.
The role of music in coping with depression: can specific genres or songs help alleviate depressive symptoms?
The representation of depression in literature: a comparative analysis of classic and contemporary works.
The use of art as a form of self-expression and therapy for individuals with depression.
Depression management guidelines implementation.
The role of religion in coping with depression: Christian and Buddhist practices.
The representation of depression in the video game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice .
The role of nature in coping with depression: can spending time outdoors help alleviate depressive symptoms?
The effectiveness of dance/movement therapy in treating depression among older adults.
The National Institute for Health: depression management.
The portrayal of depression in stand-up comedy: a study of comedians like Maria Bamford and Chris Gethard.
The role of spirituality in coping with depression: Islamic and Hindu practices .
The portrayal of depression in animated movies : an analysis of Inside Out and The Lion King .
The representation of depression by fashion designers like Alexander McQueen and Rick Owens.
Depression screening in primary care .
The portrayal of depression in documentaries: an analysis of films like The Bridge and Happy Valley .
The effectiveness of wilderness therapy in treating depression among adolescents.
The connection between creativity and depression: how art can help heal.
The role of Buddhist and Taoist practices in coping with depression.
Mild depression treatment research funding sources.
The portrayal of depression in podcasts: an analysis of the show The Hilarious World of Depression .
The effectiveness of drama therapy in treating depression among children and adolescents.
The representation of depression in the works of Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.
Depression in young people: articles review.
The impact of social media on political polarization and its relationship with depression.
The role of humor in coping with depression: a study of comedians like Ellen DeGeneres.
The portrayal of depression in webcomics: an analysis of the comics Hyperbole and a Half .
The effect of social media on mental health stigma and its relationship with depression.
Depression and the impact of human services workers.
The masked faces: hiding depression in highly individualistic societies.

💭 Depression Speech Topics

Informative speech topics about depression.

Different types of depression and their symptoms.
The causes of depression: biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
How depression and physical issues are connected.
The prevalence of depression in different age groups and demographics.
The link between depression and anxiety disorders.
Physical health: The effects of untreated depression.
The role of genetics in predisposing individuals to depression.
What you need to know about depression.
How necessary is early intervention in treating depression?
The effectiveness of medication in treating depression.
The role of exercise in managing depressive symptoms.
Depression in later life: overview.
The relationship between substance abuse and depression.
The impact of trauma on depression rates and treatment.
The effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in managing depressive symptoms.
Enzymes conversion and metabolites in major depression.
The benefits and drawbacks of electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression.
The effect of gender and cultural norms on depression rates and treatment.
The effectiveness of alternative therapies for depression, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies.
The importance of self-care in managing depression.
Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and peritraumatic dissociation.
The role of support systems in managing depression.
The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating depression.
The benefits and drawbacks of online therapy for depression.
The role of spirituality in managing depression.
Depression among minority groups.
The benefits and drawbacks of residential treatment for severe depression.
What is the relationship between childhood trauma and adult depression?
How effective is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression?
The benefits and drawbacks of art therapy for depression.
Mood disorder: depression and bipolar.
The impact of social media on depression rates.
The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in treating depression.
Depression in older people.
The impact of seasonal changes on depression rates and treatment options.
The impact of depression on daily life and relationships, and strategies for coping with the condition.
The stigma around depression and the importance of seeking help.

Persuasive Speech Topics about Depression

How important is it to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression ?
How do you support a loved one who is struggling with depression?
The importance of mental health education in schools to prevent and manage depression.
Social media: the rise of depression and anxiety .
Is there a need to increase funding for mental health research to develop better treatments for depression?
Addressing depression in minority communities: overcoming barriers and disparities.
The benefits of including alternative therapies, such as yoga and meditation, in depression treatment plans.
Challenging media portrayals of depression: promoting accurate representations.
Two sides of depression disease.
How social media affects mental health: the need for responsible use to prevent depression.
The importance of early intervention: addressing depression in schools and colleges.
The benefits of seeking professional help for depression.
There is a need for better access to mental health care, including therapy and medication, for those suffering from depression.
Depression in adolescents and suitable interventions.
How do you manage depression while in college or university?
The role of family and friends in supporting loved ones with depression and encouraging them to seek help.
The benefits of mindfulness and meditation for depression.
The link between sleep and depression, and how to improve sleep habits.
How do you manage depression while working a high-stress job?
Approaches to treating depression.
How do you manage depression during pregnancy and postpartum?
The importance of prioritizing employee mental health and providing resources for managing depression in the workplace.
How should you manage depression while caring for a loved one with a chronic illness?
How to manage depression while dealing with infertility or pregnancy loss.
Andrew Solomon: why we can’t talk about depression.
Destigmatizing depression: promoting mental health awareness and understanding.
Raising funds for depression research: investing in mental health advances.
The power of peer support: establishing peer-led programs for depression.
Accessible mental health services: ensuring treatment for all affected by depression.
Evidence-based screening for depression in acute care.
The benefits of journaling for mental health: putting your thoughts on paper to heal.
The power of positivity: changing your mindset to fight depression .
The healing power of gratitude in fighting depression.
The connection between diet and depression: eating well can improve your mood.
Teen depression and suicide in Soto’s The Afterlife .
The benefits of therapy for depression: finding professional help to heal.
The importance of setting realistic expectations when living with depression.

📝 How to Write about Depression: Essay Structure

We’ve prepared some tips and examples to help you structure your essay and communicate your ideas.

Essay about Depression: Introduction

An introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It plays a crucial role in engaging the reader, offering the context, and presenting the central theme.

A good introduction typically consists of 3 components:

Hook. The hook captures readers’ attention and encourages them to continue reading.
Background information. Background information provides context for the essay.
Thesis statement. A thesis statement expresses the essay’s primary idea or central argument.

Hook : Depression is a widespread mental illness affecting millions worldwide.

Background information : Depression affects your emotions, thoughts, and behavior. If you suffer from depression, engaging in everyday tasks might become arduous, and life may appear devoid of purpose or joy.

Depression Essay Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement serves as an essay’s road map. It expresses the author’s point of view on the issue in 1 or 2 sentences and presents the main argument.

Thesis statement : The stigma surrounding depression and other mental health conditions can discourage people from seeking help, only worsening their symptoms.

Essays on Depression: Body Paragraphs

The main body of the essay is where you present your arguments. An essay paragraph includes the following:

a topic sentence,
evidence to back up your claim,
explanation of why the point is essential to the argument;
a link to the next paragraph.

Topic sentence : Depression is a complex disorder that requires a personalized treatment approach, comprising both medication and therapy.

Evidence : Medication can be prescribed by a healthcare provider or a psychiatrist to relieve the symptoms. Additionally, practical strategies for managing depression encompass building a support system, setting achievable goals, and practicing self-care.

Depression Essay: Conclusion

The conclusion is the last part of your essay. It helps you leave a favorable impression on the reader.

The perfect conclusion includes 3 elements:

Rephrased thesis statement.
Summary of the main points.
Final opinion on the topic.

Rephrased thesis: In conclusion, overcoming depression is challenging because it involves a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that affect an individual’s mental well-being.

Summary: Untreated depression heightens the risk of engaging in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse and can also result in negative thought patterns, diminished self-esteem, and distorted perceptions of reality.

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The Biology of Depression

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

Depression makes deep inroads on biology to bring about the many symptoms of depression, from sleep disruption and an inability to experience pleasure to lack of motivation and feelings of guilt. Many factors influence how a person reacts to stressful events, whether an individual gets depressed, and how the disorder manifests. These include genetic inheritance, life experience, temperament, personality traits, social supports, and beliefs.

Still, exactly how biological changes give rise to depressive symptoms is not well understood. Because of its complexity—and because the disorder contributes so much to human suffering—the biology of depression is a major subject of ongoing research.

What is the role of genetics in depression?
Can genes for depression be modified?
What happens in the brain with depression?
How does lack of sleep alter brain function?
How does the brain regulate mood?
What role does serotonin play in depression?
Does dopamine play a role in depression?
How does nerve cell communication go awry in depression?
How does stress affect the brain
How does childhood stress affect adult brain function?
What areas of the brain play a role in depression?
What does brain imaging look at in depression?
How does depresson itself change the brain?
Can talk therapy change the way the brain functions?
Why is nerve cell growth, or neuroplasticity, important?
What are ways of stimulating neuroplasticity?

The inheritance of risk for depression is considered, at best, polygenetic—that is, a number of unknown genes each contributes a tiny risk under certain environmental conditions. None of them makes depression inevitable. The baseline risk of depression in the population is 10 percent; having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with depression doubles or triples an individual’s risk, to 20 to 30 percent over the course of a lifetime.

There are many non-genetic factors that contribute to risk of onset of major depression, and there are some inherited factors as well. To make matters a bit more complex, some non-genetic factors, including certain kinds of adverse childhood experience—such as repeated child abuse or neglect—can have a lasting impact on the function of genes (such as those that activate the stress system) to increase the risk of depression later on.

Variation of one gene associated with the serotonin system ( the serotonin transporter gene ) has been most linked to depression susceptibility—it is thought to moderate the impact of stressful life events—but the evidence has been disappointing. Life experience and lifestyle factors are believed to play more significant roles in depression risk.

Scientists know that the expression and function of many genes can be altered without doing the near-impossible—making any changes to the gene structure itself. Such changes are known as epigenetic modifications. Some life experiences can create vulnerability to depression through epigenetic changes. For example, in rat pups, lack of maternal care can permanently reset the sensitivity of receptors to stress hormones. If their mothers fail to lick and groom them, they grow up to display an exaggerated response to stress hormones and develop depression-like behavior in response to stress.

But there are also ways to strategically induce epigenetic changes to reverse symptoms of depression. For example, the nutritional supplement SAM-e , a synthetic version of a compound found in the body, contains a substance that chemically augments the activation and deactivation of genes. Some studies show it is effective against symptoms of depression.

Overexcitability of the stress response system, shifts in activity of various neurochemicals in the brain, diminished efficiency of nerve circuitry and nerve generation, disturbances in energy use nerve cells, the intrusion of inflammatory substances in the brain, upsets in the brain’s 24-hour (circadian) clock—all play a role in depression onset or progression and influence the kind and severity of symptoms.

Two major areas of the brain—the hippocampus (seat of memory) and the cortex (the thinking part of the brain)— undergo shrinkage . Both the size of nerve cells and the number of their connections with other neurons are reduced. At the same time, depressive behavior is linked to overactivation of the hypothalamus, which coordinates the stress response, and overactivity of the amygdala, which signals threat and generates negative emotions.

Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, which interprets and regulates emotional signals coming from the amygdala, accounts for the difficulties in decision-making and the cognitive fog that depressed people experience.

The human brain may be unique in its ability to generate new nerve connections, called neuroplasticity ; this is what underlies all adaptation and learning. In depression, neuroplasticity is impaired, especially in the hippocampus. In addition, reward centers of the brain shrink and fail to activate in response to stimulation. There are changes in sensitivity to the hormones that regulate feeding behavior, resulting in changes in appetite.

Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is one of the hallmarks of depression and is a major source the mood disturbance in major depression. Lack of sleep upsets the body’s circadian clock that orchestrates the natural daily rhythm of most biological functions, including patterns of secretion, release, and activity of many neurochemicals in the brain.

Sleep deprivation is thought to impede the transmission of neural signals. One result is that sleep deprivation makes people emotionally reactive , increasing activity in the amygdala and decreasing it in the emotion regulation center of the prefrontal cortex. Sleep deprivation impairs the brain’s ability to control negative thoughts.

Mistimed light input resulting from sleep disturbance also disrupts the dopamine-sensitive nucleus accumbens. Studies show that people with mood disorders benefit from maintaining a strict sleep/wake routine, rising in the morning and going to sleep at night at the same time every day.

Emotions are fleeting responses to stimuli; mood is a more sustained state of emotion. Like emotions, mood probably originates with activity of the amygdala, where emotions are coded. But it also involves the prefrontal cortex, which, through bundles of two-way circuitry with the amygdala, helps regulate emotional response and influences the general state of reactivity of the amygdala.

Under normal conditions, moods are relatively stable. But the persistence of negative mood in major depression suggests something is amiss in the nerve pathways between the amygdala and cortex.

Another important influence on mood is the circadian rhythm that governs the timing of much physiological activity, most prominently the sleep-wake cycle . Disturbances in biological rhythms are known to disrupt mood, and studies of depressed patients find that they exhibit abnormal patterns of many body functions, from temperature regulation to hormone secretion.

The neurotransmitter serotonin is one of many signaling chemicals in the brain associated with depressive symptoms. Under normal conditions, serotonin inhibits pain, influences the processing of various emotions, and mediates many mental capacities important in social life .

But like the other neurotransmitters involved in depression, its production and activity are affected by the hormones the body secretes in response to threat or stress, such as cortisol. One result is a functional lack of serotonin, which, among other things, disrupts the circuitry that regulates moral emotions. Growing evidence suggest that is why those who are depressed are haunted by excessive self-blame and a sense of guilt.

The neurotransmitter dopamine, which mediates motivation and desire, is one of several brain signaling chemicals that are implicated in depression . It is associated with two of the most prominent features of depression—anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, and appetite alterations.

Many neurons that use dopamine to relay signals are sensitive to the effects of stress, which can alter their excitability and activity. Studies have also shown that reward-generating areas of the brain—such as the nucleus accumbens, where dopamine signals originate—may be underactive in depression.

Where once researchers and clinicians focused on the role of neurotransmitters such as serotonin in depression, they now know that neurotransmitters are only one part of a much larger story of how nerve cells function in circuits to relay messages from one part of the brain to another. In fact, many experts see depression as a nerve circuit disorder, marked by a power failure in the brain’s wiring, affecting communication between one area of the brain and another.

The nerve cell connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are sometimes called the “depression circuit;” depression results when emotion-laden signals from the amygdala overpower the ability of the PFC to regulate the signals. The prolonged or excessive release of stress hormones can lead to a failure of activation of key nodes in neural networks or impair the strength of signals between them, especially when processing emotion-related or reward stimuli.

It’s important that depression is now seen as a nerve circuit disorder, because that influences the search for effective treatments.

Stress can be beneficial to the brain, depending on how intense and long-lasting the stressor is. In brief bursts, stress fosters alertness, learning, and adaptation. Severe or prolonged stress, however, can disrupt many aspects of brain function and lead to depression .

Such stress dysregulates the normal stress response through the overproduction of cortisol. Cortisol is especially toxic to cells in the brain’s hippocampus, and one consequence of uncontrolled stress is shrinkage of the hippocampus, manifest in the impaired memory and learning that are characteristic of depression.

Cortisol also turns off the generation of new nerve cells in some areas of the brain, affecting the circuitry of the brain. In addition, prolonged cortisol exposure affects production of the insulating myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells, diminishing the overall efficiency or nerve signaling.

Severe or sustained early life adversity shifts the course of brain development and can lastingly impair emotion regulation and cognitive development. Excessive or prolonged activation of the stress response in childhood, studies show, can sensitize the stress response system so that it overresponds to minimal levels of threat, making people feel easily overwhelmed by life’s normal difficulties.

Severe or prolonged childhood adversity can affect the function of genes important for the wiring of the brain, so that emotional control is difficult—overproducing neural connections in regions such as the amygdala that signal threat and other negative emotions while underendowing neural connectivity in brain areas responsible for behavioral control, reasoning, and planning.

Nevertheless, adult brains retain the capacity for neuroplasticity. Although it takes effort, and often the guidance of psychotherapy, people can learn to overcome many of the ill effects of early adversity.

Many areas of the brain contribute to the symptoms of depression, such as the hippocampus, which is the seat of memory and learning, and the superchiasmatic nucleus, which is the “body clock” that paces all physiologic activity, notably the sleep-wake cycle. But brain imaging studies suggest that there is a primary “depression circuit,” consisting of the amygdala, which flags emotion-related stimuli; the prefrontal cortex, which analyzes and interprets experience, modulates emotional reactivity, and controls attention; and the two-way network of nerve fibers that connect them.

In this model of depression, the amygdala becomes hyperactive, sending out a constant flood of emotions, and the PFC becomes hypoactive, unable to regulate the stream of emotional input. Through feedback loops, the failure of the PFC further dysregulates the amygdala and leaves unchecked its inherent bias toward negative emotions.

Some types of brain imaging, such as CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), take static pictures of the brain to determine whether any specific structures are larger or smaller than normal in depressed patients. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) look at the brain in action, to see whether and where there are problems in the way the brain processes specific types of information .

In fMRI studies, normal controls and depressed patents are typically given some task to perform in the scanner. For example, subjects may be asked to look at a series of pictures, some of them with emotionally disturbing content, to see how the brain handles negative stimuli. The brain scanners measure blood flow or metabolic activity, based on the concentration of agents earlier injected into the bloodstream. Comparison of hot spots and dead spots of activity between controls and depressed patients highlight areas of the brain that malfunction in response to challenging stimuli.

The longer an episode of depression lasts, the greater the likelihood of a recurrence of depression. That is because depression changes the brain in ways that are only now yielding to understanding. If left untreated, depression can become a progressive disease leading to neurodegeneration.

The sustained stress that triggers depression releases a cascade of hormones linked to shrinkage of the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for learning and storing and retrieving memories. Prominent changes to other brain areas, including the amygdala, create a sustained tendency to generate negatively coded emotions.

Untreated depression also changes the activity of substances that help regulate the mitochondria, the energy factories of all cells, especially critical to function of the brain because it is such a metabolically active organ. Depression also causes changes in the network of brain areas involved in processing physical pain , and the degree of hyperactivity in such areas as seen on brain scans correlates with the severity of depression that patients experience.

Recent studies show that like other neurodegenerative conditions, longstanding depression increases levels of inflammatory substances in the brain that further impair its function , affecting many brain regions and circuits of connectivity.

The most studied form of psychotherapy—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—has been shown to produces long-lasting changes in emotion, cognition, behavior, and somatic symptoms of patients with depression and other mental health conditions. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers find that CBT alters patterns of connections between brain regions, notably in circuits related to the processing of emotions.

Images show decreased reactivity of the brain’s amygdala, which processes emotion, and increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, the thinking and executive control center of the brain, indicating more control over emotional reactions and memories, and greater flexibility in finding solutions to problems . The changes in cognition power help reduce negative emotionality by increasing people’s ability to calmly manage experiences and thoughts that stir emotions.

Throughout life, the growth of new nerve cell connections, or neuroplasticity, is the major way brains adapt to new or challenging circumstances. It’s called learning, and it’s the brain’s major means of problem-solving. Depression is characterized by a loss of plasticity—negative neuroplasticity; patients feel imprisoned in their own repetitive negative thoughts.

It’s long been known that prolonged or excessive outpouring of stress hormones curbs the growth of nerve cells, particularly in the hippocampus, seat of memory and learning.Such changes are reflected in a smaller size hippocampus and impaired memory in depressed patients.

Changes also occur in the prefrontal cortex, undermining regulation of emotional experience, limiting the ability to set goals, and much more. All effective treatments of depression restore the capacity for mental and behavioral change and are known to stimulate the growth of new nerve cells —they enable the brain to rewire itself.

All known therapies for depression stimulate the growth of new nerve cell connections. But the growth of new nerve cell connections is not dependent on antidepressant drugs. Researchers find that there are many ways to bring about neuroplasticity.

One of the most effective ways is aerobic exercise. And it doesn’t have to be intense to have an effect. In fact, all physical activity is linked to the generation of neurotrophic factors, chemicals that stimulate the growth and recovery of brain cells.

Research also pinpoints diet, and especially i ntermittent fasting as a way to generate BDNF , or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, one of the best studied agents of nerve cell growth. Intermittent fasting is known to be neuroprotective, shielding brain cells from the degeneration that often accompanies aging.

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Biological, Psychological, and Social Determinants of Depression: A Review of Recent Literature

Olivia remes.

1 Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK

João Francisco Mendes

2 NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal; ku.ca.mac@94cfj

Peter Templeton

3 IfM Engage Limited, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK; ku.ca.mac@32twp

4 The William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health (YPMH), Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK

Associated Data

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, and, if left unmanaged, it can increase the risk for suicide. The evidence base on the determinants of depression is fragmented, which makes the interpretation of the results across studies difficult. The objective of this study is to conduct a thorough synthesis of the literature assessing the biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression in order to piece together the puzzle of the key factors that are related to this condition. Titles and abstracts published between 2017 and 2020 were identified in PubMed, as well as Medline, Scopus, and PsycInfo. Key words relating to biological, social, and psychological determinants as well as depression were applied to the databases, and the screening and data charting of the documents took place. We included 470 documents in this literature review. The findings showed that there are a plethora of risk and protective factors (relating to biological, psychological, and social determinants) that are related to depression; these determinants are interlinked and influence depression outcomes through a web of causation. In this paper, we describe and present the vast, fragmented, and complex literature related to this topic. This review may be used to guide practice, public health efforts, policy, and research related to mental health and, specifically, depression.

1. Introduction

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues, with an estimated prevalence of 5% among adults [ 1 , 2 ]. Symptoms may include anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness, concentration and sleep difficulties, and suicidal ideation. According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading cause of disability; research shows that it is a burdensome condition with a negative impact on educational trajectories, work performance, and other areas of life [ 1 , 3 ]. Depression can start early in the lifecourse and, if it remains unmanaged, may increase the risk for substance abuse, chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].

Treatment for depression exists, such as pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other modalities. A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of patients shows that 56–60% of people respond well to active treatment with antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants) [ 9 ]. However, pharmacotherapy may be associated with problems, such as side-effects, relapse issues, a potential duration of weeks until the medication starts working, and possible limited efficacy in mild cases [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Psychotherapy is also available, but access barriers can make it difficult for a number of people to get the necessary help.

Studies on depression have increased significantly over the past few decades. However, the literature remains fragmented and the interpretation of heterogeneous findings across studies and between fields is difficult. The cross-pollination of ideas between disciplines, such as genetics, neurology, immunology, and psychology, is limited. Reviews on the determinants of depression have been conducted, but they either focus exclusively on a particular set of determinants (ex. genetic risk factors [ 15 ]) or population sub-group (ex. children and adolescents [ 16 ]) or focus on characteristics measured predominantly at the individual level (ex. focus on social support, history of depression [ 17 ]) without taking the wider context (ex. area-level variables) into account. An integrated approach paying attention to key determinants from the biological, psychological, and social spheres, as well as key themes, such as the lifecourse perspective, enables clinicians and public health authorities to develop tailored, person-centred approaches.

The primary aim of this literature review: to address the aforementioned challenges, we have synthesized recent research on the biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression and we have reviewed research from fields including genetics, immunology, neurology, psychology, public health, and epidemiology, among others.

The subsidiary aim: we have paid special attention to important themes, including the lifecourse perspective and interactions between determinants, to guide further efforts by public health and medical professionals.

This literature review can be used as an evidence base by those in public health and the clinical setting and can be used to inform targeted interventions.

2. Materials and Methods

We conducted a review of the literature on the biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression in the last 4 years. We decided to focus on these determinants after discussions with academics (from the Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Cardiff, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Cork, University of Leuven, University of Texas), charity representatives, and people with lived experience at workshops held by the University of Cambridge in 2020. In several aspects, we attempted to conduct this review according to PRISMA guidelines [ 18 ].

The inclusion and exclusion criteria are the following:

- We included documents, such as primary studies, literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, reports, and commentaries on the determinants of depression. The determinants refer to variables that appear to be linked to the development of depression, such as physiological factors (e.g., the nervous system, genetics), but also factors that are further away or more distal to the condition. Determinants may be risk or protective factors, and individual- or wider-area-level variables.
- We focused on major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, dysthymia, depressive symptoms, poststroke depression, perinatal depression, as well as depressive-like behaviour (common in animal studies), among others.
- We included papers regardless of the measurement methods of depression.
- We included papers that focused on human and/or rodent research.
- This review focused on articles written in the English language.
- Documents published between 2017–2020 were captured to provide an understanding of the latest research on this topic.
- Studies that assessed depression as a comorbidity or secondary to another disorder.
- Studies that did not focus on rodent and/or human research.
- Studies that focused on the treatment of depression. We made this decision, because this is an in-depth topic that would warrant a separate stand-alone review.
Next, we searched PubMed (2017–2020) using keywords related to depression and determinants. Appendix A contains the search strategy used. We also conducted focused searches in Medline, Scopus, and PsycInfo (2017–2020).
Once the documents were identified through the databases, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the titles and abstracts. Screening of documents was conducted by O.R., and a subsample was screened by J.M.; any discrepancies were resolved through a communication process.
The full texts of documents were retrieved, and the inclusion and exclusion criteria were again applied. A subsample of documents underwent double screening by two authors (O.R., J.M.); again, any discrepancies were resolved through communication.
a. A data charting form was created to capture the data elements of interest, including the authors, titles, determinants (biological, psychological, social), and the type of depression assessed by the research (e.g., major depression, depressive symptoms, depressive behaviour).
b. The data charting form was piloted on a subset of documents, and refinements to it were made. The data charting form was created with the data elements described above and tested in 20 studies to determine whether refinements in the wording or language were needed.
c. Data charting was conducted on the documents.
d. Narrative analysis was conducted on the data charting table to identify key themes. When a particular finding was noted more than once, it was logged as a potential theme, with a review of these notes yielding key themes that appeared on multiple occasions. When key themes were identified, one researcher (O.R.) reviewed each document pertaining to that theme and derived concepts (key determinants and related outcomes). This process (a subsample) was verified by a second author (J.M.), and the two authors resolved any discrepancies through communication. Key themes were also checked as to whether they were of major significance to public mental health and at the forefront of public health discourse according to consultations we held with stakeholders from the Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Cardiff, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Cork, University of Leuven, University of Texas, charity representatives, and people with lived experience at workshops held by the University of Cambridge in 2020.

We condensed the extensive information gleaned through our review into short summaries (with key points boxes for ease of understanding and interpretation of the data).

Through the searches, 6335 documents, such as primary studies, literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, reports, and commentaries, were identified. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 470 papers were included in this review ( Supplementary Table S1 ). We focused on aspects related to biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression (examples of determinants and related outcomes are provided under each of the following sections.

3.1. Biological Factors

The following aspects will be discussed in this section: physical health conditions; then specific biological factors, including genetics; the microbiome; inflammatory factors; stress and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, and the kynurenine pathway. Finally, aspects related to cognition will also be discussed in the context of depression.

3.1.1. Physical Health Conditions

Studies on physical health conditions—key points:

The presence of a physical health condition can increase the risk for depression
Psychological evaluation in physically sick populations is needed
There is large heterogeneity in study design and measurement; this makes the comparison of findings between and across studies difficult

A number of studies examined the links between the outcome of depression and physical health-related factors, such as bladder outlet obstruction, cerebral atrophy, cataract, stroke, epilepsy, body mass index and obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infection, forms of cancer, inflammatory bowel disorder, glaucoma, acne, urea accumulation, cerebral small vessel disease, traumatic brain injury, and disability in multiple sclerosis [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. For example, bladder outlet obstruction has been linked to inflammation and depressive behaviour in rodent research [ 24 ]. The presence of head and neck cancer also seemed to be related to an increased risk for depressive disorder [ 45 ]. Gestational diabetes mellitus has been linked to depressive symptoms in the postpartum period (but no association has been found with depression in the third pregnancy trimester) [ 50 ], and a plethora of other such examples of relationships between depression and physical conditions exist. As such, the assessment of psychopathology and the provision of support are necessary in individuals of ill health [ 45 ]. Despite the large evidence base on physical health-related factors, differences in study methodology and design, the lack of standardization when it comes to the measurement of various physical health conditions and depression, and heterogeneity in the study populations makes it difficult to compare studies [ 50 ].

The next subsections discuss specific biological factors, including genetics; the microbiome; inflammatory factors; stress and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, and the kynurenine pathway; and aspects related to cognition.

3.1.2. Genetics

Studies on genetics—key points:

There were associations between genetic factors and depression; for example:

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in depression
Links exist between major histocompatibility complex region genes, as well as various gene polymorphisms and depression
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in the tryptophan catabolites pathway are of interest in relation to depression

A number of genetic-related factors, genomic regions, polymorphisms, and other related aspects have been examined with respect to depression [ 61 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 ]. The influence of BDNF in relation to depression has been amply studied [ 117 , 118 , 141 , 142 , 143 ]. Research has shown associations between depression and BDNF (as well as candidate SNPs of the BDNF gene, polymorphisms of the BDNF gene, and the interaction of these polymorphisms with other determinants, such as stress) [ 129 , 144 , 145 ]. Specific findings have been reported: for example, a study reported a link between the BDNF rs6265 allele (A) and major depressive disorder [ 117 ].

Other research focused on major histocompatibility complex region genes, endocannabinoid receptor gene polymorphisms, as well as tissue-specific genes and gene co-expression networks and their links to depression [ 99 , 110 , 112 ]. The SNPs of genes involved in the tryptophan catabolites pathway have also been of interest when studying the pathogenesis of depression.

The results from genetics studies are compelling; however, the findings remain mixed. One study indicated no support for depression candidate gene findings [ 122 ]. Another study found no association between specific polymorphisms and major depressive disorder [ 132 ]. As such, further research using larger samples is needed to corroborate the statistically significant associations reported in the literature.

3.1.3. Microbiome

Studies on the microbiome—key points:

The gut bacteria and the brain communicate via both direct and indirect pathways called the gut-microbiota-brain axis (the bidirectional communication networks between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract; this axis plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis).
A disordered microbiome can lead to inflammation, which can then lead to depression
There are possible links between the gut microbiome, host liver metabolism, brain inflammation, and depression

The common themes of this review have focused on the microbiome/microbiota or gut metabolome [ 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 ], the microbiota-gut-brain axis, and related factors [ 152 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 ]. When there is an imbalance in the intestinal bacteria, this can interfere with emotional regulation and contribute to harmful inflammatory processes and mood disorders [ 148 , 151 , 153 , 155 , 157 ]. Rodent research has shown that there may be a bidirectional association between the gut microbiota and depression: a disordered gut microbiota can play a role in the onset of this mental health problem, but, at the same time, the existence of stress and depression may also lead to a lower level of richness and diversity in the microbiome [ 158 ].

Research has also attempted to disentangle the links between the gut microbiome, host liver metabolism, brain inflammation, and depression, as well as the role of the ratio of lactobacillus to clostridium [ 152 ]. The literature has also examined the links between medication, such as antibiotics, and mood and behaviour, with the findings showing that antibiotics may be related to depression [ 159 , 168 ]. The links between the microbiome and depression are complex, and further studies are needed to determine the underpinning causal mechanisms.

3.1.4. Inflammation

Studies on inflammation—key points:

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are linked to depression
Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, may play an important role
Different methods of measurement are used, making the comparison of findings across studies difficult

Inflammation has been a theme in this literature review [ 60 , 161 , 164 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 180 , 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 ]. The findings show that raised levels of inflammation (because of factors such as pro-inflammatory cytokines) have been associated with depression [ 60 , 161 , 174 , 175 , 178 ]. For example, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, have been linked to depression [ 185 ]. Various determinants, such as early life stress, have also been linked to systemic inflammation, and this can increase the risk for depression [ 186 ].

Nevertheless, not everyone with elevated inflammation develops depression; therefore, this is just one route out of many linked to pathogenesis. Despite the compelling evidence reported with respect to inflammation, it is difficult to compare the findings across studies because of different methods used to assess depression and its risk factors.

3.1.5. Stress and HPA Axis Dysfunction

Studies on stress and HPA axis dysfunction—key points:

Stress is linked to the release of proinflammatory factors
The dysregulation of the HPA axis is linked to depression
Determinants are interlinked in a complex web of causation

Stress was studied in various forms in rodent populations and humans [ 144 , 145 , 155 , 174 , 176 , 180 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 , 191 , 192 , 193 , 194 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 , 199 , 200 , 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 205 , 206 , 207 , 208 , 209 , 210 , 211 ].

Although this section has some overlap with others (as is to be expected because all of these determinants and body systems are interlinked), a number of studies have focused on the impact of stress on mental health. Stress has been mentioned in the literature as a risk factor of poor mental health and has emerged as an important determinant of depression. The effects of this variable are wide-ranging, and a short discussion is warranted.

Stress has been linked to the release of inflammatory factors, as well as the development of depression [ 204 ]. When the stress is high or lasts for a long period of time, this may negatively impact the brain. Chronic stress can impact the dendrites and synapses of various neurons, and may be implicated in the pathway leading to major depressive disorder [ 114 ]. As a review by Uchida et al. indicates, stress may be associated with the “dysregulation of neuronal and synaptic plasticity” [ 114 ]. Even in rodent studies, stress has a negative impact: chronic and unpredictable stress (and other forms of tension or stress) have been linked to unusual behaviour and depression symptoms [ 114 ].

The depression process and related brain changes, however, have also been linked to the hyperactivity or dysregulation of the HPA axis [ 127 , 130 , 131 , 182 , 212 ]. One review indicates that a potential underpinning mechanism of depression relates to “HPA axis abnormalities involved in chronic stress” [ 213 ]. There is a complex relationship between the HPA axis, glucocorticoid receptors, epigenetic mechanisms, and psychiatric sequelae [ 130 , 212 ].

In terms of the relationship between the HPA axis and stress and their influence on depression, the diathesis–stress model offers an explanation: it could be that early stress plays a role in the hyperactivation of the HPA axis, thus creating a predisposition “towards a maladaptive reaction to stress”. When this predisposition then meets an acute stressor, depression may ensue; thus, in line with the diathesis–stress model, a pre-existing vulnerability and stressor can create fertile ground for a mood disorder [ 213 ]. An integrated review by Dean and Keshavan [ 213 ] suggests that HPA axis hyperactivity is, in turn, related to other determinants, such as early deprivation and insecure early attachment; this again shows the complex web of causation between the different determinants.

3.1.6. Kynurenine Pathway

Studies on the kynurenine pathway—key points:

The kynurenine pathway is linked to depression
Indolamine 2,3-dioxegenase (IDO) polymorphisms are linked to postpartum depression

The kynurenine pathway was another theme that emerged in this review [ 120 , 178 , 181 , 184 , 214 , 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 , 219 , 220 , 221 ]. The kynurenine pathway has been implicated not only in general depressed mood (inflammation-induced depression) [ 184 , 214 , 219 ] but also postpartum depression [ 120 ]. When the kynurenine metabolism pathway is activated, this results in metabolites, which are neurotoxic.

A review by Jeon et al. notes a link between the impairment of the kynurenine pathway and inflammation-induced depression (triggered by treatment for various physical diseases, such as malignancy). The authors note that this could represent an important opportunity for immunopharmacology [ 214 ]. Another review by Danzer et al. suggests links between the inflammation-induced activation of indolamine 2,3-dioxegenase (the enzyme that converts tryptophan to kynurenine), the kynurenine metabolism pathway, and depression, and also remarks about the “opportunities for treatment of inflammation-induced depression” [ 184 ].

3.1.7. Cognition

Studies on cognition and the brain—key points:

Cognitive decline and cognitive deficits are linked to increased depression risk
Cognitive reserve is important in the disability/depression relationship
Family history of cognitive impairment is linked to depression

A number of studies have focused on the theme of cognition and the brain. The results show that factors, such as low cognitive ability/function, cognitive vulnerability, cognitive impairment or deficits, subjective cognitive decline, regression of dendritic branching and hippocampal atrophy/death of hippocampal cells, impaired neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis-related aspects, have been linked to depression [ 131 , 212 , 222 , 223 , 224 , 225 , 226 , 227 , 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 , 237 , 238 , 239 ]. The cognitive reserve appears to act as a moderator and can magnify the impact of certain determinants on poor mental health. For example, in a study in which participants with multiple sclerosis also had low cognitive reserve, disability was shown to increase the risk for depression [ 63 ]. Cognitive deficits can be both causal and resultant in depression. A study on individuals attending outpatient stroke clinics showed that lower scores in cognition were related to depression; thus, cognitive impairment appears to be associated with depressive symptomatology [ 226 ]. Further, Halahakoon et al. [ 222 ] note a meta-analysis [ 240 ] that shows that a family history of cognitive impairment (in first degree relatives) is also linked to depression.

In addition to cognitive deficits, low-level cognitive ability [ 231 ] and cognitive vulnerability [ 232 ] have also been linked to depression. While cognitive impairment may be implicated in the pathogenesis of depressive symptoms [ 222 ], negative information processing biases are also important; according to the ‘cognitive neuropsychological’ model of depression, negative affective biases play a central part in the development of depression [ 222 , 241 ]. Nevertheless, the evidence on this topic is mixed and further work is needed to determine the underpinning mechanisms between these states.

3.2. Psychological Factors

Studies on psychological factors—key points:

There are many affective risk factors linked to depression
Determinants of depression include negative self-concept, sensitivity to rejection, neuroticism, rumination, negative emotionality, and others

A number of studies have been undertaken on the psychological factors linked to depression (including mastery, self-esteem, optimism, negative self-image, current or past mental health conditions, and various other aspects, including neuroticism, brooding, conflict, negative thinking, insight, cognitive fusion, emotional clarity, rumination, dysfunctional attitudes, interpretation bias, and attachment style) [ 66 , 128 , 140 , 205 , 210 , 228 , 235 , 242 , 243 , 244 , 245 , 246 , 247 , 248 , 249 , 250 , 251 , 252 , 253 , 254 , 255 , 256 , 257 , 258 , 259 , 260 , 261 , 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , 266 , 267 , 268 , 269 , 270 , 271 , 272 , 273 , 274 , 275 , 276 , 277 , 278 , 279 , 280 , 281 , 282 , 283 , 284 , 285 , 286 , 287 , 288 , 289 , 290 ]. Determinants related to this condition include low self-esteem and shame, among other factors [ 269 , 270 , 275 , 278 ]. Several emotional states and traits, such as neuroticism [ 235 , 260 , 271 , 278 ], negative self-concept (with self-perceptions of worthlessness and uselessness), and negative interpretation or attention biases have been linked to depression [ 261 , 271 , 282 , 283 , 286 ]. Moreover, low emotional clarity has been associated with depression [ 267 ]. When it comes to the severity of the disorder, it appears that meta-emotions (“emotions that occur in response to other emotions (e.g., guilt about anger)” [ 268 ]) have a role to play in depression [ 268 ].

A determinant that has received much attention in mental health research concerns rumination. Rumination has been presented as a mediator but also as a risk factor for depression [ 57 , 210 , 259 ]. When studied as a risk factor, it appears that the relationship of rumination with depression is mediated by variables that include limited problem-solving ability and insufficient social support [ 259 ]. However, rumination also appears to act as a mediator: for example, this variable (particularly brooding rumination) lies on the causal pathway between poor attention control and depression [ 265 ]. This shows that determinants may present in several forms: as moderators or mediators, risk factors or outcomes, and this is why disentangling the relationships between the various factors linked to depression is a complex task.

The psychological determinants are commonly researched variables in the mental health literature. A wide range of factors have been linked to depression, such as the aforementioned determinants, but also: (low) optimism levels, maladaptive coping (such as avoidance), body image issues, and maladaptive perfectionism, among others [ 269 , 270 , 272 , 273 , 275 , 276 , 279 , 285 , 286 ]. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the way these determinants increase the risk for depression. One of the underpinning mechanisms linking the determinants and depression concerns coping. For example, positive fantasy engagement, cognitive biases, or personality dispositions may lead to emotion-focused coping, such as brooding, and subsequently increase the risk for depression [ 272 , 284 , 287 ]. Knowing the causal mechanisms linking the determinants to outcomes provides insight for the development of targeted interventions.

3.3. Social Determinants

Studies on social determinants—key points:

Social determinants are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, etc.; these influence (mental) health [ 291 ]
There are many social determinants linked to depression, such as sociodemographics, social support, adverse childhood experiences
Determinants can be at the individual, social network, community, and societal levels

Studies also focused on the social determinants of (mental) health; these are the conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, and age, and have a significant influence on wellbeing [ 291 ]. Factors such as age, social or socioeconomic status, social support, financial strain and deprivation, food insecurity, education, employment status, living arrangements, marital status, race, childhood conflict and bullying, violent crime exposure, abuse, discrimination, (self)-stigma, ethnicity and migrant status, working conditions, adverse or significant life events, illiteracy or health literacy, environmental events, job strain, and the built environment have been linked to depression, among others [ 52 , 133 , 235 , 236 , 239 , 252 , 269 , 280 , 292 , 293 , 294 , 295 , 296 , 297 , 298 , 299 , 300 , 301 , 302 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 307 , 308 , 309 , 310 , 311 , 312 , 313 , 314 , 315 , 316 , 317 , 318 , 319 , 320 , 321 , 322 , 323 , 324 , 325 , 326 , 327 , 328 , 329 , 330 , 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 , 336 , 337 , 338 , 339 , 340 , 341 , 342 , 343 , 344 , 345 , 346 , 347 , 348 , 349 , 350 , 351 , 352 , 353 , 354 , 355 , 356 , 357 , 358 , 359 , 360 , 361 , 362 , 363 , 364 , 365 , 366 , 367 , 368 , 369 , 370 , 371 ]. Social support and cohesion, as well as structural social capital, have also been identified as determinants [ 140 , 228 , 239 , 269 , 293 , 372 , 373 , 374 , 375 , 376 , 377 , 378 , 379 ]. In a study, part of the findings showed that low levels of education have been shown to be linked to post-stroke depression (but not severe or clinical depression outcomes) [ 299 ]. A study within a systematic review indicated that having only primary education was associated with a higher risk of depression compared to having secondary or higher education (although another study contrasted this finding) [ 296 ]. Various studies on socioeconomic status-related factors have been undertaken [ 239 , 297 ]; the research has shown that a low level of education is linked to depression [ 297 ]. Low income is also related to depressive disorders [ 312 ]. By contrast, high levels of education and income are protective [ 335 ].

A group of determinants touched upon by several studies included adverse childhood or early life experiences: ex. conflict with parents, early exposure to traumatic life events, bullying and childhood trauma were found to increase the risk of depression (ex. through pathways, such as inflammation, interaction effects, or cognitive biases) [ 161 , 182 , 258 , 358 , 362 , 380 ].

Gender-related factors were also found to play an important role with respect to mental health [ 235 , 381 , 382 , 383 , 384 , 385 ]. Gender inequalities can start early on in the lifecourse, and women were found to be twice as likely to have depression as men. Gender-related factors were linked to cognitive biases, resilience and vulnerabilities [ 362 , 384 ].

Determinants can impact mental health outcomes through underpinning mechanisms. For example, harmful determinants can influence the uptake of risk behaviours. Risk behaviours, such as sedentary behaviour, substance abuse and smoking/nicotine exposure, have been linked to depression [ 226 , 335 , 355 , 385 , 386 , 387 , 388 , 389 , 390 , 391 , 392 , 393 , 394 , 395 , 396 , 397 , 398 , 399 , 400 , 401 ]. Harmful determinants can also have an impact on diet. Indeed, dietary aspects and diet components (ex. vitamin D, folate, selenium intake, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin K, fiber intake, zinc) as well as diet-related inflammatory potential have been linked to depression outcomes [ 161 , 208 , 236 , 312 , 396 , 402 , 403 , 404 , 405 , 406 , 407 , 408 , 409 , 410 , 411 , 412 , 413 , 414 , 415 , 416 , 417 , 418 , 419 , 420 , 421 , 422 , 423 , 424 , 425 , 426 , 427 , 428 ]. A poor diet has been linked to depression through mechanisms such as inflammation [ 428 ].

Again, it is difficult to constrict diet to the ‘social determinants of health’ category as it also relates to inflammation (biological determinants) and could even stand alone as its own category. Nevertheless, all of these factors are interlinked and influence one another in a complex web of causation, as mentioned elsewhere in the paper.

Supplementary Figure S1 contains a representation of key determinants acting at various levels: the individual, social network, community, and societal levels. The determinants have an influence on risk behaviours, and this, in turn, can affect the mood (i.e., depression), body processes (ex. can increase inflammation), and may negatively influence brain structure and function.

3.4. Others

Studies on ‘other’ determinants—key points:

A number of factors are related to depression
These may not be as easily categorized as the other determinants in this paper

A number of factors arose in this review that were related to depression; it was difficult to place these under a specific heading above, so this ‘other’ category was created. A number of these could be sorted under the ‘social determinants of depression’ category. For example, being exposed to deprivation, hardship, or adversity may increase the risk for air pollution exposure and nighttime shift work, among others, and the latter determinants have been found to increase the risk for depression. Air pollution could also be regarded as an ecologic-level (environmental) determinant of mental health.

Nevertheless, we have decided to leave these factors in a separate category (because their categorization may not be as immediately clear-cut as others), and these factors include: low-level light [ 429 ], weight cycling [ 430 ], water contaminants [ 431 ], trade [ 432 ], air pollution [ 433 , 434 ], program-level variables (ex. feedback and learning experience) [ 435 ], TV viewing [ 436 ], falls [ 437 ], various other biological factors [ 116 , 136 , 141 , 151 , 164 , 182 , 363 , 364 , 438 , 439 , 440 , 441 , 442 , 443 , 444 , 445 , 446 , 447 , 448 , 449 , 450 , 451 , 452 , 453 , 454 , 455 , 456 , 457 , 458 , 459 , 460 , 461 , 462 , 463 , 464 , 465 , 466 , 467 , 468 , 469 ], mobile phone use [ 470 ], ultrasound chronic exposure [ 471 ], nighttime shift work [ 472 ], work accidents [ 473 ], therapy enrollment [ 226 ], and exposure to light at night [ 474 ].

4. Cross-Cutting Themes

4.1. lifecourse perspective.

Studies on the lifecourse perspective—key points:

Early life has an importance on mental health
Stress has been linked to depression
In old age, the decline in social capital is important

Trajectories and life events are important when it comes to the lifecourse perspective. Research has touched on the influence of prenatal or early life stress on an individual’s mental health trajectory [ 164 , 199 , 475 ]. Severe stress that occurs in the form of early-life trauma has also been associated with depressive symptoms [ 362 , 380 ]. It may be that some individuals exposed to trauma develop thoughts of personal failure, which then serve as a catalyst of depression [ 380 ].

At the other end of the life trajectory—old age—specific determinants have been linked to an increased risk for depression. Older people are at a heightened risk of losing their social networks, and structural social capital has been identified as important in relation to depression in old age [ 293 ].

4.2. Gene–Environment Interactions

Studies on gene–environment interactions—key points:

The environment and genetics interact to increase the risk of depression
The etiology of depression is multifactorial
Adolescence is a time of vulnerability

A number of studies have touched on gene–environment interactions [ 72 , 77 , 82 , 119 , 381 , 476 , 477 , 478 , 479 , 480 , 481 ]. The interactions between genetic factors and determinants, such as negative life events (ex. relationship and social difficulties, serious illness, unemployment and financial crises) and stressors (ex. death of spouse, minor violations of law, neighbourhood socioeconomic status) have been studied in relation to depression [ 82 , 135 , 298 , 449 , 481 ]. A study reported an interaction of significant life events with functional variation in the serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) allele type (in the context of multiple sclerosis) and linked this to depression [ 361 ], while another reported an interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR in relation to depression [ 480 ]. Other research reported that the genetic variation of HPA-axis genes has moderating effects on the relationship between stressors and depression [ 198 ]. Another study showed that early-life stress interacts with gene variants to increase the risk for depression [ 77 ].

Adolescence is a time of vulnerability [ 111 , 480 ]. Perceived parental support has been found to interact with genes (GABRR1, GABRR2), and this appears to be associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence [ 480 ]. It is important to pay special attention to critical periods in the lifecourse so that adequate support is provided to those who are most vulnerable.

The etiology of depression is multifactorial, and it is worthwhile to examine the interaction between multiple factors, such as epigenetic, genetic, and environmental factors, in order to truly understand this mental health condition. Finally, taking into account critical periods of life when assessing gene–environment interactions is important for developing targeted interventions.

5. Discussion

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, and, if left untreated, it can increase the risk for substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and suicide. In the past 20 years, a large number of studies on the risk and protective factors of depression have been undertaken in various fields, such as genetics, neurology, immunology, and epidemiology. However, there are limitations associated with the extant evidence base. The previous syntheses on depression are limited in scope and focus exclusively on social or biological factors, population sub-groups, or examine depression as a comorbidity (rather than an independent disorder). The research on the determinants and causal pathways of depression is fragmentated and heterogeneous, and this has not helped to stimulate progress when it comes to the prevention and intervention of this condition—specifically unravelling the complexity of the determinants related to this condition and thus refining the prevention and intervention methods.

The scope of this paper was to bring together the heterogeneous, vast, and fragmented literature on depression and paint a picture of the key factors that contribute to this condition. The findings from this review show that there are important themes when it comes to the determinants of depression, such as: the microbiome, dysregulation of the HPA axis, inflammatory reactions, the kynurenine pathway, as well as psychological and social factors. It may be that physical factors are proximal determinants of depression, which, in turn, are acted on by more distal social factors, such as deprivation, environmental events, and social capital.

The Marmot Report [ 291 ], the World Health Organization [ 482 ], and Compton et al. [ 483 ] highlight that the most disadvantaged segments of society are suffering (the socioeconomic context is important), and this inequality in resources has translated to inequality in mental health outcomes [ 483 ]. To tackle the issue of egalitarianism and restore equality in the health between the groups, the social determinants need to be addressed [ 483 ]. A wide range of determinants of mental health have been identified in the literature: age, gender, ethnicity, family upbringing and early attachment patterns, social support, access to food, water and proper nutrition, and community factors. People spiral downwards because of individual- and societal-level circumstances; therefore, these circumstances along with the interactions between the determinants need to be considered.

Another important theme in the mental health literature is the lifecourse perspective. This shows that the timing of events has significance when it comes to mental health. Early life is a critical period during the lifespan at which cognitive processes develop. Exposure to harmful determinants, such as stress, during this period can place an individual on a trajectory of depression in adulthood or later life. When an individual is exposed to harmful determinants during critical periods and is also genetically predisposed to depression, the risk for the disorder can be compounded. This is why aspects such as the lifecourse perspective and gene–environment interactions need to be taken into account. Insight into this can also help to refine targeted interventions.

A number of interventions for depression have been developed or recommended, addressing, for example, the physical factors described here and lifestyle modifications. Interventions targeting various factors, such as education and socioeconomic status, are needed to help prevent and reduce the burden of depression. Further research on the efficacy of various interventions is needed. Additional studies are also needed on each of the themes described in this paper, for example: the biological factors related to postpartum depression [ 134 ], and further work is needed on depression outcomes, such as chronic, recurrent depression [ 452 ]. Previous literature has shown that chronic stress (associated with depression) is also linked to glucocorticoid receptor resistance, as well as problems with the regulation of the inflammatory response [ 484 ]. Further work is needed on this and the underpinning mechanisms between the determinants and outcomes. This review highlighted the myriad ways of measuring depression and its determinants [ 66 , 85 , 281 , 298 , 451 , 485 ]. Thus, the standardization of the measurements of the outcomes (ex. a gold standard for measuring depression) and determinants is essential; this can facilitate comparisons of findings across studies.

5.1. Strengths

This paper has important strengths. It brings together the wide literature on depression and helps to bridge disciplines in relation to one of the most common mental health problems. We identified, selected, and extracted data from studies, and provided concise summaries.

5.2. Limitations

The limitations of the review include missing potentially important studies; however, this is a weakness that cannot be avoided by literature reviews. Nevertheless, the aim of the review was not to identify each study that has been conducted on the risk and protective factors of depression (which a single review is unable to capture) but rather to gain insight into the breadth of literature on this topic, highlight key biological, psychological, and social determinants, and shed light on important themes, such as the lifecourse perspective and gene–environment interactions.

6. Conclusions

We have reviewed the determinants of depression and recognize that there are a multitude of risk and protective factors at the individual and wider ecologic levels. These determinants are interlinked and influence one another. We have attempted to describe the wide literature on this topic, and we have brought to light major factors that are of public mental health significance. This review may be used as an evidence base by those in public health, clinical practice, and research.

This paper discusses key areas in depression research; however, an exhaustive discussion of all the risk factors and determinants linked to depression and their mechanisms is not possible in one journal article—which, by its very nature, a single paper cannot do. We have brought to light overarching factors linked to depression and a workable conceptual framework that may guide clinical and public health practice; however, we encourage other researchers to continue to expand on this timely and relevant work—particularly as depression is a top priority on the policy agenda now.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Isla Kuhn for the help with the Medline, Scopus, and PsycInfo database searches.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/brainsci11121633/s1 , Figure S1: Conceptual framework: Determinants of depression, Table S1: Data charting—A selection of determinants from the literature.

Appendix A.1. Search Strategy

Search: ((((((((((((((((“Gene-Environment Interaction”[Majr]) OR (“Genetics”[Mesh])) OR (“Genome-Wide Association Study”[Majr])) OR (“Microbiota”[Mesh] OR “Gastrointestinal Microbiome”[Mesh])) OR (“Neurogenic Inflammation”[Mesh])) OR (“genetic determinant”)) OR (“gut-brain-axis”)) OR (“Kynurenine”[Majr])) OR (“Cognition”[Mesh])) OR (“Neuronal Plasticity”[Majr])) OR (“Neurogenesis”[Mesh])) OR (“Genes”[Mesh])) OR (“Neurology”[Majr])) OR (“Social Determinants of Health”[Majr])) OR (“Glucocorticoids”[Mesh])) OR (“Tryptophan”[Mesh])) AND (“Depression”[Mesh] OR “Depressive Disorder”[Mesh]) Filters: from 2017—2020.

Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, In-Data-Review & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Daily and Versions(R)

exp *Depression/
exp *Depressive Disorder/
exp *”Social Determinants of Health”/
exp *Tryptophan/
exp *Glucocorticoids/
exp *Neurology/
exp *Genes/
exp *Neurogenesis/
exp *Neuronal Plasticity/
exp *Kynurenine/
exp *Genetics/
exp *Neurogenic Inflammation/
exp *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/
exp *Genome-Wide Association Study/
exp *Gene-Environment Interaction/
exp *Depression/et [Etiology]
exp *Depressive Disorder/et
or/4-16 637368
limit 22 to yr = “2017–Current”
“cause* of depression”.mp.
“cause* of depression”.ti.
(cause adj3 (depression or depressive)).ti.
(caus* adj3 (depression or depressive)).ti.

Appendix A.2. PsycInfo

#
S10	(S3 OR S4 OR S5 OR S6 OR S7) AND (S1 OR S8)	Limiters-Publication Year: 2017–2021 Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S9	(S3 OR S4 OR S5 OR S6 OR S7) AND (S1 OR S8)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S8	S3 OR S4 OR S5 OR S6 OR S7	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S7	TI (Social Determinants of Health)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S6	TI (Neurogenic Inflammation)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S5	TI (Genome-Wide Association Study)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S4	TI (Gene-Environment Interaction)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S3	(((((MM “Etiology” OR MM “Causality”) OR (MM “Tryptophan” OR MM “Hydroxytryptophan (5-)”)) OR (MM “Glucocorticoids” OR MM “Dexamethasone”)) OR (MM “Neurology”)) AND (MM “Genes” OR MM “Alleles” OR MM “CLOCK Gene” OR MM “Immediate Early Genes” OR MM “Quantitative Trait Loci” OR MM “Genetics” OR MM “Behavioral Genetics” OR MM “Epigenetics” OR MM “Eugenics” OR MM “Genetic Engineering” OR MM “Genetic Processes” OR MM “Genomics” OR MM “Optogenetics” OR MM “Pharmacogenetics” OR MM “Population Genetics”)) OR (MM “Gastrointestinal Microbiota”)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S2	MM “Major Depression” OR MM “Anaclitic Depression” OR MM “Dysthymic Disorder” OR MM “Endogenous Depression” OR MM “Late Life Depression” OR MM “Postpartum Depression” OR MM “Reactive Depression” OR MM “Recurrent Depression” OR MM “Treatment Resistant Depression”	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo
S1	TI caus* n3 (depression or depressive)	Expanders-Apply equivalent subjects Search modes-Boolean/Phrase	Interface-EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen-Advanced Search Database-APA PsycInfo

(TITLE ( depression OR “ Depressive Disorder ”) AND TITLE (“ Social Determinants of Health ” OR tryptophan OR glucocorticoids OR neurology OR genes OR neurogenesis OR “ Neuronal Plasticity ” OR kynurenine OR genetics OR “ Neurogenic Inflammation ” OR “ Gastrointestinal Microbiome ” OR “ Genome-Wide Association Study ” OR “ Gene-Environment Interaction ” OR aetiology OR etiology )) OR TITLE ( cause* W/3 ( depression OR depressive )).

Author Contributions

O.R. was responsible for the design of the study and methodology undertaken. Despite P.T.’s involvement in YPMH, he had no role in the design of the study; P.T. was responsible for the conceptualization of the study. Validation was conducted by O.R. and J.F.M. Formal analysis (data charting) was undertaken by O.R. O.R. and P.T. were involved in the investigation, resource acquisition, and data presentation. The original draft preparation was undertaken by O.R. The writing was conducted by O.R., with review and editing by P.T. and J.F.M. Funding acquisition was undertaken by O.R. and P.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research was funded by The William Templeton Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health, Cambridge Philosophical Society, and the Aviva Foundation.

Conflicts of Interest

The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Depression — Depression And Its Main Causes

Depression and Its Main Causes

Categories: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Depression Mental Health

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Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 1373 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Beyondblue. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/treatments-for-depression/psychological-treatments-for-depression
Hannibal, J. (2012). Psychology for the IB diploma. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 149-61.
Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). What causes depression? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression
Lyness, D. (Ed.). (2016, August). Why Do People Get Depressed? (for Teens). Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/why-depressed.html
Morin, A., & Lcsw. (n.d.). How Many People Are Actually Affected by Depression Every Year? Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/depression-statistics-everyone-should-know-4159056
Schimelpfening, N., & Gans, S. (n.d.). Why Some People Are More Prone to Depression Than Others. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/why-are-some-people-more-prone-to-depression-1067622

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Essay on Depression

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100 Words Essay on Depression

Understanding depression.

Depression is a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood. It’s more than just feeling sad or upset. People with depression may feel hopeless, lose interest in things they used to enjoy, and struggle with daily tasks.

Causes of Depression

Depression can be caused by various factors. These include biological changes in the brain, genetics, personal life experiences, and certain medications. It’s important to remember that it’s not a sign of weakness or a character flaw.

Recognizing Depression

Depression can appear differently in different people. Some might feel constantly sad, while others might lose interest in activities. It can also cause physical symptoms like changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

Treating Depression

Depression is treatable. Treatments include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a healthy diet. It’s crucial to seek help if you or someone you know is showing signs of depression.

250 Words Essay on Depression

Depression, a common yet serious mental health disorder, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It affects individuals differently, leading to a variety of physical and emotional problems.

Causes and Risk Factors

Depression is a complex disorder with multiple contributing factors. Genetics play a significant role; individuals with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it. Environmental factors, such as exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty, also increase the risk. Personal characteristics, like low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical, or pessimistic, can make individuals more prone to depression.

Impact on Life

Depression drastically impacts life quality. It can lead to social isolation, problems at work or school, and relationship difficulties. In severe cases, it can cause suicidal thoughts or actions, underlining the importance of seeking professional help.

Treatment and Management

Depression is treatable with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and problem-solving therapy are effective therapeutic approaches. Antidepressants can also help manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep, are crucial for managing depression.

Depression is a significant global health issue that requires understanding, empathy, and awareness. By acknowledging its complexity and impact, we can foster an environment that supports mental health and well-being.

500 Words Essay on Depression

Introduction: unveiling depression.

Depression, a common and serious mental health disorder, is often characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It is a complex condition that not only affects the individual’s mental state but also their physical health, often leading to a myriad of complications if left untreated.

Understanding the Causes

Depression is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development. It is believed that a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors like trauma, loss of a loved one, or a difficult relationship can trigger changes in brain function and structure, leading to depression. Neurotransmitters, chemicals that facilitate communication between nerve cells, are also implicated in the pathogenesis of depression.

Manifestations of Depression

Depression manifests in various forms. Major Depressive Disorder, the most common, is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli. There’s also Persistent Depressive Disorder, a chronic form of depression where an individual experiences symptoms for at least two years. Other forms include Postpartum Depression, experienced after childbirth, and Seasonal Affective Disorder, which typically occurs during winter.

Impact on Daily Life

Depression significantly impairs an individual’s ability to function in their daily life. It affects their productivity at work or school, disrupts their relationships, and reduces their overall quality of life. It also increases the risk of other serious conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. In severe cases, depression can lead to suicidal ideation or attempts, making it a potentially life-threatening condition.

Depression and Stigma

Depression is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are effective treatment modalities. Antidepressants can also help regulate brain chemistry and alleviate symptoms. However, treatment is highly individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Depression is a pervasive and debilitating condition that requires our urgent attention. By increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to treatment, we can ensure that those suffering from depression receive the help they need. As a society, we must strive to understand and empathize with those battling depression, encouraging them to seek help without fear of judgement. Only then can we hope to truly combat this global mental health crisis.

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Essay on Depression

Essay generator.

Depression, a common yet often misunderstood mental health disorder, intricately intertwines with our thinking patterns. This essay aims to explore the depths of depression, how it affects thinking, and the broader implications for individuals, particularly for students engaging in essay writing competitions.

Depression is more than just a fleeting sense of sadness. It is a clinical condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in life. Its symptoms range from changes in sleep and appetite to difficulty concentrating and feelings of worthlessness.

The Science Behind Depression

Depression stems from a complex interaction of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Neuroscientific research suggests that depression is linked to changes in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, and neural circuitry in the brain.

Depression’s Impact on Thinking

Depression significantly affects cognitive processes. It alters the way individuals perceive themselves, their lives, and the world around them.

Negative Thought Patterns : Individuals with depression often experience persistent negative thoughts. They may have a pessimistic view of themselves, believing they are inadequate or worthless.
Rumination : Those suffering from depression tend to ruminate, or excessively think about their problems and distress. This rumination can create a vicious cycle, exacerbating depressive symptoms and impairing problem-solving.
Impaired Cognitive Functioning : Depression can affect concentration, memory, and decision-making capabilities. It can lead to difficulties in focusing and retaining information, impacting academic and professional performance.
Distorted Reality : In severe cases, depression can lead to distorted thinking, where one’s perception of reality is significantly impaired. This might include having an overly negative interpretation of minor events or believing in things that have no basis in reality.

The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common and effective treatment for depression. It is based on the concept that changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors can lead to changes in emotions.

Identifying Negative Thoughts : CBT involves recognizing and challenging negative thought patterns.
Behavioral Activation : It encourages engaging in activities that are rewarding or enjoyable, even when one doesn’t feel like it.
Developing Coping Strategies : CBT helps in developing practical skills to manage symptoms and cope with challenges.

Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults

Depression in adolescents and young adults is a serious mental health concern that can have significant and lasting effects on individuals’ lives. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Prevalence: Depression is not uncommon among adolescents and young adults. It is estimated that around 15% of teenagers will experience at least one major depressive episode before reaching adulthood.
Symptoms: The symptoms of depression in this age group can vary but often include persistent sadness, changes in sleep and appetite, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Impact on Daily Life: Depression can severely disrupt daily life. Young people with depression may struggle academically, socially, and in their family relationships. It can lead to school absenteeism, social withdrawal, and even substance abuse.
Risk Factors: Various factors can increase the risk of depression in adolescents and young adults, including genetic predisposition, family history of depression, trauma or abuse, chronic illness, and high levels of stress.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Depression often co-occurs with other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.
Barriers to Seeking Help: Many adolescents and young adults may hesitate to seek help for depression due to stigma, lack of awareness, or fear of judgment. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options: Treatment for depression typically includes psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication (in some cases), lifestyle changes (like regular exercise and a healthy diet), and support from family and friends.
Importance of Early Intervention: Early intervention is crucial in managing depression. Recognizing the signs and symptoms and seeking help promptly can improve outcomes and prevent the worsening of the condition.
Prevention: Efforts to prevent depression in this age group include promoting emotional resilience, teaching coping skills, providing a supportive environment, and reducing stressors when possible.
Family and Peer Support: The support of family members and friends is invaluable in helping adolescents and young adults cope with depression. Open communication and understanding can make a significant difference.
Educational and Community Resources: Schools and communities can play a vital role in recognizing and addressing depression. Educational programs and accessible mental health resources can benefit young individuals.

Breaking the Stigma

There is a significant stigma attached to depression, often preventing individuals from seeking help. Breaking this stigma is essential.

Open Conversations : Encouraging discussions about mental health can foster a more supportive environment.
Education and Awareness : Educating people about the realities of depression is crucial in dispelling myths and misconceptions.
Promoting Mental Health Resources : Access to mental health resources and counseling should be promoted in schools and workplaces.

Personal Reflections in Essay Writing

When writing about depression, it’s important to:

Use Empathetic Language : Be sensitive and understanding in your choice of words.
Incorporate Personal Narratives : If comfortable, sharing personal experiences can provide a powerful perspective.
Highlight Resilience and Hope : Focus on stories of overcoming challenges, resilience, and the potential for positive change.

In conclusion, Depression, a complex interplay of emotional, cognitive, and biological factors, profoundly impacts thinking patterns. Understanding this relationship is crucial, especially for students who may face academic and social pressures that can exacerbate these issues. Writing about depression in a thoughtful, informed, and empathetic manner not only raises awareness but also contributes to a more supportive and understanding society. As we continue to explore and understand depression, we open doors to more effective treatments and a world where mental health is given the attention and care it deserves.

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Home / Essay Samples / Health / Depression / Exploring the Depths of Depression: An Argumentative View

Exploring the Depths of Depression: An Argumentative View

Category: Health
Topic: Depression , Mental Illness , Suicide

Pages: 1 (658 words)

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Essays About Depression: Top 8 Examples Plus Prompts

8. Opening Up About My Struggle with Recurring Depression by Nora Super

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The Biology of Depression

On This Page

Biological, Psychological, and Social Determinants of Depression: A Review of Recent Literature

João Francisco Mendes

Peter Templeton

Associated Data

1. Introduction

2. Materials and Methods

3.1. Biological Factors

3.1.1. Physical Health Conditions

3.1.2. Genetics

3.1.3. Microbiome

3.1.4. Inflammation

3.1.5. Stress and HPA Axis Dysfunction

3.1.6. Kynurenine Pathway

3.1.7. Cognition

3.2. Psychological Factors

3.3. Social Determinants

3.4. Others