Mental Health and Depression
Mental Health and Depression
Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to their community. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders.
Defining Mental Health
What Is "Normal"?
Defining mental health and mental illness is surprisingly difficult. Psychologists use several criteria:
| Criterion | Description | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical infrequency | Behaviour is abnormal if it is statistically rare in the population | Some rare behaviours are positive (e.g. genius); some common behaviours are unhealthy (e.g. exam stress) |
| Deviation from social norms | Behaviour is abnormal if it violates society's unwritten rules | Norms change over time and across cultures; this criterion has been used to label non-conformists as "mentally ill" |
| Failure to function adequately | A person is abnormal if they cannot cope with daily life (work, relationships, self-care) | Some people with mental health conditions function well; some functioning failures are not disorders (e.g. grief) |
| Deviation from ideal mental health | Jahoda (1958): mental health involves self-actualisation, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, environmental mastery, self-esteem and resistance to stress | Sets an unrealistically high standard — very few people meet all criteria all the time |
The Stigma of Mental Illness
- Mental illness carries significant stigma — negative attitudes, discrimination and shame
- This can prevent people from seeking help — fear of being judged or labelled
- Stigma can lead to social isolation, unemployment and reduced self-esteem
- Challenging stigma through education and awareness (e.g. Mind, Time to Change campaigns) is important for improving mental health outcomes
Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest in activities.
Symptoms of Depression
| Emotional | Cognitive | Behavioural | Physical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent sadness, low mood | Negative thinking, self-blame | Withdrawal from social activities | Changes in appetite and weight |
| Feelings of hopelessness | Difficulty concentrating | Loss of interest in hobbies | Sleep disturbance (insomnia or oversleeping) |
| Guilt, worthlessness | Indecisiveness | Reduced motivation and energy | Fatigue and lack of energy |
| Irritability | Thoughts of death or suicide | Neglecting responsibilities | Aches and pains |
Explanations of Depression
Biological Explanation
- Genetics: depression runs in families. Twin studies show that identical twins have a higher concordance rate (46%) than non-identical twins (20%), suggesting a genetic component
- Neurotransmitters: depression is linked to low levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood). This is the basis for SSRI antidepressants (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which increase serotonin levels in the brain
- Brain structure: people with depression show differences in brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (reduced activity) and amygdala (increased activity)
Psychological Explanation — Beck's Cognitive Theory
Aaron Beck (1967) proposed that depression is caused by negative thinking patterns, not just brain chemistry.
- Negative cognitive triad: depressed people have negative views about:
1. Themselves — "I am worthless"
2. The world — "Everything is unfair and bad"
3. The future — "Things will never get better"
- Cognitive biases: depressed people distort information in negative ways:
- Overgeneralisation — one bad event = "everything always goes wrong"
- Catastrophising — expecting the worst possible outcome
- Selective abstraction — focusing on negatives and ignoring positives
Treatments for Depression
| Treatment | How It Works | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants (SSRIs) | Increase serotonin levels in the brain | Effective for many people; easy to take; work quickly | Side effects (nausea, headaches, insomnia); do not address underlying causes; may cause dependency |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) | Challenges and changes negative thinking patterns; teaches coping strategies | Addresses root causes; teaches lifelong skills; no side effects | Time-consuming (6-20 sessions); requires motivation; may not work for severe depression; waiting lists are long |
| Combination | SSRIs + CBT used together | Often the most effective approach; medication stabilises mood while therapy addresses thinking patterns | Expensive; requires commitment to both |
Exam Tips
- Know the four definitions of abnormality with strengths and limitations
- For depression, learn symptoms across all four categories (emotional, cognitive, behavioural, physical)
- Know Beck's negative cognitive triad in detail — it is a key concept
- Be able to compare biological vs cognitive explanations of depression
- For AO3: Is depression caused by biology (nature) or thinking patterns (nurture)? Most likely an interaction of both
- Compare SSRIs and CBT as treatments — a very common exam question