Depression - Theoretical approaches

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Main article: Clinical depression

In this section we will concentrate on the theoretical approaches used in thinking about depression. For specific evidence as to the causes of depression see

Main article: Depression:Etiology

Approaches to depression

Depression is a complex condition and has attracted the attention of a large number of theorists who have approached the condition from a number of points of view

• Depression: Biological perspective
• Depression: Evolutionary perspective
• Depression: Psychodynamic perspective
• Depression: Cognitive perspective
• Depression: Systems theory perspective
• Depression: Interpersonal perspective
• Depression: Social perspective
• Depression: Feminist perspective

• Recent life event - Job loss, financial difficulties, long periods of unemployment, the loss of a spouse or other family member, divorce or the end of a committed relationship, or other traumatic events may trigger depression. Long-term stress at home, work, or school can also be involved.

Main article: Recent life event and depression

• Personality variablesLong standing patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour that are related or contribute to personality have been linked as causes of depression

Main article: Personality and depression

Environmental factors

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depressive disorder that occurs in the winter when daylight hours are short. It is believed that the body's production of melatonin, which is produced at higher levels in the dark, plays a major part in the onset of SAD and that many sufferers respond well to bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy.

• Social environment - Factors such as poverty, unemployment, chronic stress at work have been suggested as causes of depression

Main article: The social context of depression