Wk4 Depression Paper Psy270

According to Grohol, PSY.D. (2013), the difference between unipolar depression and bipolar disorder is simple; “depression can either be a stand-alone diagnosis, or a part of another disorder, like bipolar. Therefore a mental health professional is going to examine whether there are other symptoms present (or have occurred in the past), to see if the depression is just depression, or whether it’s a part of a larger disorder” (para. 1).
Grohol, PSY.D. (2013), goes on to explain that with “ordinary depression”, unipolar depression, there is no manic or hypomanic episode prevalent and the individual suffering the depression also has no history and gives no indication of having a manic or hypomanic episode in the past; whereas bi-polar has a combination of mania and depression that alternates in cycles.
As with any mental illness or abnormality, the exact cause(s) remain unknown, but there are several factors that could be involved. According to "The Mayo Clinic" (2014), factors that may be involved in unipolar depression include:
“Biological differences. People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may eventually help pinpoint causes. Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. When these chemicals are out of balance, it may be associated with depressive symptoms. Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions. Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose biological (blood) relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression. Life events. Traumatic events such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems, high stress, or childhood trauma can trigger depression in some people”...