Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don't believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it's good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.
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- Andrew Solomon
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An Overview of Depression
What exactly is depression? Why do depressed people think the way they do? The term has been so often used and misused, that it seems that very few people, except perhaps scientists and researchers, have a vague idea of what depression is exactly. Major depressive disorder (MDD) can be described as a collection of experiences that can have a wide-ranging impact on someone’s life. It can affect a person's family relationships, academics, work-life, peer relationships and their physical health.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are nine main symptoms of MDD. But, factors like genetics, personal experiences, personality, stress levels and physical health have an influence on how depression is manifested in an individual person. As a result, many people that experience MDD share these symptoms, but each individual experience is different. Due to the complexity of this mood disorder, it is best not to self-diagnose or diagnose for another individual. Instead, if such feelings are felt or observed, it is best to see a clinical psychologist.
How much does depression affect my community? In most universities, depression is the most commonly experienced mental illness among students. Based on Statistics Canada, in a 2012 survey, 4.7% of Canadians above the age of 15 reported symptoms that met the criteria for major depression and studies have documented that there is usually a higher prevalence in women with a 2:1 ratio compared to men. However, note that this might be due to the fact that women tend to get help more often compared to men and not due to the fact that men suffer less depression.
Through this website, we will explore depression through the biological persepective, with a particular focus on the neuroscience regarding depression. We hope that you will both become more informed of the neurological aspects invovled with depression and of the resources that are available for you or someone you know.
Further Research on Depression
A Link between Social Media Use and Depression
A study conducted by Lin et al suggests that although the exact mehanisms are unclear, there's a significant positive correlation between social media usage and the severity of depressive symptoms.
The Evolutionary Roots of Depression
Triggers of mental illness like loss, grief and stress are not new in human history, and depression can be disruptive to daily function and health. However, genes contributing to depression have continued to be passed on through generations. Andrews and Thompson Jr. (2009) propose that depression may have provided us with cognitive benefits, and that rumination about the trigger can be a useful tool for solving complex problems.
The Relationship between Stress and Depression
Stress, at a tolerable level, can help us perform better when faced with challenging problems. However, studies have shown that chronic high levels of stress can be a contributing factor to depression. Maintaining positive strategies to manage stress can help decrease depressive symptoms.
