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Psychology 55 Online
Anaise:

Ok. Not a question. Just a sloppy take. I don't study psychology, nor am I the most articulate. Feel free to share your thoughts. I don't believe depression is caused by a chemical imbalance.

Anaise:

Depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance. I will explain why I think it's often dubbed as one. (1) It destigmatizes depression to the public. If one were to explain depression as a "brain disease" to others, one will not find fault in the depressed individual, but in their biology. (2) It's a marketing technique to promote antidepressants. Although it is illegal for doctors to receive money for prescribing the drugs, it's perfectly legal to pay doctors to promote the drug. A nonprofit investigative reporting organization called ProPublica found that "doctors who received industry payment were two to three times as likely to prescribe brand-name drugs at exceptionally high rates as others in their specialty". Drug companies will give subtle gifts to doctors, trying indirectly influence their prescribing process. I also want to point out the Chemical Imbalance theory, is a theory for a reason. The theory states that these conditions are caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters between nerve cells in the brain. There are millions of chemical reactions occurring in the brain, which are responsible for one's mood and general feelings. Makes it nearly impossible to determine if one is experiencing an imbalance in their brain The biggest piece of evidence to support the chemical imbalance theory is...the effectiveness of antidepressant meds. Which increase levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. If one's mood can improve with these meds, then it doesn't necessarily mean it comes from a chemical imbalance, the low serotonin levels could be a symptom, not a cause.

Anaise:

I think when it comes to looking at the causes of depression, the answer should be largely reflected in genetics/environmental and social factors/stress/trauma. Instead of resorting to the "chemical imbalance" answer.

Seanchan:

It depends on the TYPE of depression. I have it where if I am happy, I am REALLY happy, if I am sad, I am REALLY sad

julieta:

OOp-

ItzAgar:

Make sure to site your source..

ItzAgar:

Yep-

swaggytraeee:

oof

Ashtiel:

hmmmmmmm

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