Purchase Solution

Effects of depression on brain structure

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Please assist me in answering the following questions. Please provide at least 2 pages. Thank you.

1. Choose a specific neurological (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury) or neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g., depression or AD/HD).

2. Evaluate possible causes of and treatment for this disorder providing examples to support your thoughts.

3. Be sure to include the related functional neuroanatomy.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The expert answers questions on depression and its impact on brain structure and neural activity and treatments.

Solution Preview

Depression can be caused by many different chronic or short term life events as well as every day frustrations, stressors and challenges.
Factors that can lead to depression
Some adolescents and adults may have been undiagnosed with depression, for a long time. Their depression may be complicated by their physical health weaknesses, lack of sleep hygiene and restful sleep, healthy diet, regular physical activity, ability to adapt and cope with stressors in absence of healthy and stable emotional regulation.
To complicate the depressive symptoms, depressed individuals may also be addicted to substance use and /or depend on alcohol. Many brain studies have clearly shown that the brain anatomy changes as well as bio chemistry of a person's blood stream, because of using substances, drugs or alcohol.
When people have been depressed for a long ...

Solution provided by:
Saira Qureshi, MA
Education
  • BA, Rutgers, NJ
  • MA, NYU
Recent Feedback
  • "thank you"
  • "Thank you"
  • "Thank you Miss Saira."
  • "This is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  • "Thanks"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

Erik Erikson researched eight stages of psychosocial development beginning at birth and ending at death. This quiz challenges your knowledge of each stage, the corresponding age range, and the conflicts present during each stage.

Piaget's Theories on Development

Do you know all about Piaget's theories on development? Find out with this quiz!

Childhood Disorders (Axis 1)

This quiz is designed to test one's knowledge on childhood Principle Disorders found in the DSM-IV (1994). This is a good quiz for those who wish to pursue a career in child assessment or child development. Good luck.

Common Characteristics of Qualitative Methods

This quiz evaluates the common characteristics seen in qualitative methodology.

Emotional Intelligence: A Beginning

An introduction to an emerging branch of Psychology-Emotional Intelligence.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Brain and Behavior

    The effects of deteriorating brain structure depend on exactly what region of the brain is damaged. For example, damage to certain areas of the cerebellum can affect fear responses [1].

  • Effect of Drug Use (VICODIN)

    554112 Effect of Drug Use (VICODIN) Please help answer the question below about the drug "VICODIN" Discuss the implications of one-time, casual, or long-term use on the physiology of the brain, and on behavior, mood, and cognition.

  • Physical" Treatment (drugs) for a "Mental" Illness

    Alprazolam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).

  • Stress and the Brain

    Two particular effects of the structure of the hippocampus have been observed.

  • Choosing an antidepressant medication

    Monitor more frequently for side effects. Consider psychiatric consultation. Elderly · Often more sensitive to side effects. · Often on multiple medications (beware of drug interactions!).

  • Stress and Cognitive Functioning

    Imagine the impact of such an ongoing responsibility on cognitive functioning. Stress has profound effects on cognitive functions, such as decision making, occasionally altering the brain in surprising ways.

  • Methods of Therapies to Combat Depression

    TCAs primarily affect the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, norepinephrine and serotonin. Although these drugs are effective in treating depression, they can have more side effects than other drugs.

  • What kinds of treatment are for depression?

    They go on to interfere with a range of other neurotransmitter systems and a variety of brain cell receptors, affecting nerve cell communication all over the brain in the process.

  • Recognizing and Managing Side Effects

    Based on these theories, many individuals who suffer from depression incur damage to the brain in areas such as the amygdala [structure in the brain that has a role in memory] and prefrontal cortex that play key roles in perception , pleasure and the

View More Related Solutions