Depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder, and is something which many people will experience at least once in their life time. In fact, it is estimated that a quarter of the population will experience some degree of depression over the course of a year.

1. The Psychology behind Depression

2. Depression is the most prevalent mental health
disorder, and is something which many people will
experience at least once in their life time. In fact, it
is estimated that a quarter of the population will
experience some degree of depression over the
course of a year.
More info on:
http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

3. Some people believe that depression is purely
down to a chemical imbalance in the brain, whilst
others believe that it occurs as a direct result of
life experiences. For most people, the truth is
actually somewhere in the middle.
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http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

4. An imbalance in the
neurotransmitters can lead to
impaired decision making,
poor coping strategies and a
lack of desire to seek out
social interaction. Negative
life experiences can suppress
the "happy" chemicals in the
brain which in the long term
can impair the normal
function of the mind.
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http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

5. Although depression is a mental health disorder
which can afflict anyone, there is no question that
some people are more prone to falling into this
vicious cycle of negative thinking than others.
Again, the mechanisms behind this are not clear
cut.
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http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

6. If a close family member has suffered from a
mental health disorder then you are more than
twice as likely to develop depression, especially
if their disorder was also a depressive illness.
Scientists have not been able to isolate a gene
which contributes to a predisposition to
depression.
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http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

7. In many cases of depression
there are elements which
perpetuate it such as a
negative manner of thinking
or learned helplessness. If a
parent exhibits this type of
thinking or behavior whilst
raising a child, the child
learns that this is a normal
way to be.
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http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

8. The success of treatments such
as cognitive behavior therapy
support the notion that
depression is deep rooted in
psychology and is not merely a
chemical imbalance. If
depression was solely caused by
the misfiring of
neurotransmitters in the brain
then treating the condition with
medication should always have
the desired result.
More info on:
http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

9. On the other hand, cognitive behavior therapy -
which can also be combined with medication for a
more holistic approach - has shown much higher
success rates. This form of treatment focuses on the
psychological aspect of the disorder and teaches
people better coping strategies for managing their
negative thoughts.
More info on:
http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/

10. Depression is a highly complex disorder. Although
there are some genetic and physiological reasons
behind the illness, there is a strong psychological
component as well.
More info on:
http://www.integratedhealthspecialists.com.au/depression-gold-coast/