Posted by SLS on January 14, 2016, at 6:12:53
In reply to Why does mental illness occur?, posted by john locke on January 13, 2016, at 22:02:46
Normal depression can actually be advantageous to the individual. However, major depressive disorder (MDD) would not be.
Normal depression serves to prevent futile behavior that can only deplete the individual of energy and produce inordinate stress. When one becomes frustrated with repeated failures, depression subdues the individual and allows them to reflect on their failures and perhaps come up with a different strategy or quit altogether.
Abnormal depression (MDD) most likely arises from a combination of genetic and stress-driven epigenetic factors. So, basically, your understanding of genetics and environment is correct. Some illnesses are more genetic than others. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are examples of these.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1085369
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20151225/msgs/1085385.html