Journalist: Unknown
Date: March 4, 2008
Summary: This article reports that in news articles reporters who wrote about depression and indicated that depression was caused by a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin in the brain did not provide scientific evidence that supports these explanations. These explanations are described as “the chemical imbalance theory”. Daily news articles were examined for one year between late 2006 and 2007. Authors who wrote articles that contained statements regarding a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin in the brain were contacted and asked to provide scientific evidence that supports these explanations.
Relevance: Social workers often learn about neurology content and the brain in the human behavior course. It is important for student to understand how biology and environment influence behavior and to have up-to-date information regarding the cause of depression and treatment.
Questions:
1. How are depression and anxiety defined according to DSM-IV criteria?
2. Are there other definitions of depression and anxiety?
3. What is “the chemical imbalance theory”? When was it developed?
4. What does the DSM-IV indicate regarding the cause of depression and anxiety?
5. How can information regarding the cause of depression impact client’s decisions regarding treatment?
6. Did the authors of the news reports provide supporting evidence to the researchers?
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