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The biology of depression is the attempt to identify a biochemical origin of depression, as opposed to theories that emphasize psychological or situational causes. [ 1 ] Scientific studies have found that different brain areas show altered activity in humans with major depressive disorder (MDD) . [ 2 ]
An estimated 4.4 percent of the global population has depression, according to a report released by the UN World Health Organization (WHO), which shows an 18 percent increase in the number of people living with depression between 2005 and 2015. [66] [67] [68] Depression is a major mental-health cause of disease burden.
Depressed people also have a higher rate of dying from other causes. [275] There is a 1.5- to 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease , independent of other known risk factors, and is itself linked directly or indirectly to risk factors such as smoking and obesity.
The cause of depression is believed to be due to a combined effect of genetic and environmental factors. [11] Other medical conditions, for example hypothyroidism, may cause people to experience similar symptoms as a major depressive episode. [20]
Causes: Family history, previous diagnosis of a mood disorder, trauma, stress or major life changes in the case of depression, physical illness or use of certain medications. Depression has been linked to major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and heart disease, Brain structure and function in the case of bipolar disorder. [1]
Treatment of bipolar disorder using antidepressants may carry a risk of affective switches where a person switches from depression to manic or hypomanic phases or mixed states. [24] There may also be a risk of accelerating cycling between phases when antidepressants are used in bipolar disorder.