Etiology of Depression: Biological and Environmental Factors in the Development of Depression

Abstract

While depression affects 300 million people worldwide and is one of the most significant contributors to suicide, the mechanisms behind its onset remain unclear. This paper summarizes and discusses several biological and environmental factors that lead to the development of depression in an effort to demonstrate the intricate relationship between the various factors. First, an examination of the roles genetics and the external environment play in depression’s occurrence is considered by comparing adoption studies. In the next section, biological mechanisms of depression, such as alterations in neurotransmitter systems and brain networks, are explored in an analysis of previous studies and by identifying areas that require further investigation. A discussion is included of how several environmental factors, including urbanization and childhood trauma, elevate the risk of depression in certain individuals along with genetic factors. The conclusion encapsulates how various factors interact with one another and calls for further research on the precise mechanisms behind the onset of depressive symptoms. This approach is crucial for understanding the cause of depression and improvements in its treatment.