Social sciences are one of the four general education interdisciplinary
lenses that examine society and the relationship between people.
There are a number of social science fields of study that investigate
human behavior in relation to societal systems, such as religious,
political, social, and economic. The fields of study include
anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology,
and sociology (What is social science, n.d.).
Last week I wrote about a recent study where researchers discovered
that there is no evidence that depression is linked to a chemical
imbalance in the brain or low serotonin levels. The study questions the
use of antidepressant medications, such as the most commonly
prescribed medication class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs), which aims to stabilize and correct serotonin levels (Scientists
find no evidence, 2022). Additionally, research has revealed that drug
effects are often not any better for people than those achieved when
taking a placebo and may not lead to an improved quality of life in the
long term (Schpancer, 2022). I explored this topic through the natural
and applied science lens because the research was heavily focused on
brain chemistry. However, this topic has many implications that heavily
impact the social science field of psychology.
One of the most common first lines of treatment options used for
depression is for a provider to prescribe antidepressant medications.
Now having the knowledge that these medications are not as impactful
as once thought, it is essential for people with depression to seek
additional treatment options. Psychotherapy, which is a form of talk
therapy, has been found to be helpful to individuals with depressive
disorders. Psychotherapists work with clients by utilizing a variety of
techniques that aim to help people recover from mental illness, resolve
personal issues, and create positive changes in their lives. Studies have
shown that psychotherapists can use their techniques to help uncover
the primary sources of depression, such as environmental factors, and
then use specialized types of therapy that make meaningful impacts on
a person's depression. Effective forms of psychotherapy to treat
depression include cognitive, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral,
dialectical-behavioral, and psychodynamic therapy (Schimelpfening,
2020).
By examining this topic through the social science and natural and
applied science lens, I better understand how depression should be
treated. This study demonstrated that while there is clearly a need for
more research encompassing biological contributors to depression, not
all available treatment options are ineffective. Psychotherapy can help
pinpoint environmental factors that contribute to depression and can
assist with bettering a person's quality of life.
References:
Schimelpfening, N. (2020, December 7). How to choose the best type of
therapy to treat your depression.
Verywell Mind. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from
https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-psychotherapy-for-
depression-1067407
Schpancer, N. (2022, July 24). Depression is not caused by chemical
imbalance in the brain. Psychology Today. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-
therapy/202207/depression-is-not-caused-chemical-imbalance-in-
the-brain
University College London. (2022, July 25). Scientists find no evidence
that depression is caused by "chemical imbalance" or low serotonin levels.
SciTechDaily. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from
https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-find-no-evidence-that-
depression-is-caused-by-chemical-imbalance-or-low-serotonin-
levels/
What is Social Science? The National Institute of Social Sciences. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 31, 2022, from
https://www.socialsciencesinstitute.org/what-is-social-science
