Outline and evaluate the biological explanation of depression.

Depression remains a leading cause of disability globally as well as a notable public health issue, due to its debilitating nature and health implications it is important to gain insight into its causes in order to inform prevention and intervention. The biological perspective emphasises the role of our 'biology' in the development of depression: this may include factors such as our genes, or neurotransmitters. Twin studies are used to examine the role of genetics in psychopathology, including depression and have found the heritability of depression to lie between 36% to 44% (Sullivan, Neale & Kendler, 2000). Furthermore, studies have found the neurotransmitter Serotonin, or lack of it, to play a major role in the development and maintenance of depression.Indeed, the biological explanation for depression informs the development of medication and has led to the successful production of a range of anti-depressants, including Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, used to treat Depression. On the other hand, these drugs may induce unwanted side effects, and also do not necessarily treat the underlying cause of Depression, which is often found to be dealt with using Psychoanalysis. Furthermore, this approach is somewhat reductionist and neglects the stressors and events in our environment or day-to day lives that have been shown to also contribute to the development of Depression.