| The bright side of being blue: depression as an adaptation for analyzing complex problems. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19618990 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Depression is the primary emotional condition for which help is sought. Depressed people often report persistent rumination, which involves analysis, and complex social problems in their lives. Analysis is often a useful approach for solving complex problems, but it requires slow, sustained processing, so disruption would interfere with problem solving. The analytical rumination hypothesis proposes that depression is an evolved response to complex problems, whose function is to minimize disruption and sustain analysis of those problems by (a) giving the triggering problem prioritized access to processing resources, (b) reducing the desire to engage in distracting activities (anhedonia), and (c) producing psychomotor changes that reduce exposure to distracting stimuli. As processing resources are limited, sustained analysis of the triggering problem reduces the ability to concentrate on other things. The hypothesis is supported by evidence from many levels-genes, neurotransmitters and their receptors, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuroenergetics, pharmacology, cognition, behavior, and efficacy of treatments. In addition, the hypothesis provides explanations for puzzling findings in the depression literature, challenges the belief that serotonin transmission is low in depression, and has implications for treatment. |
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Authors:
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Paul W Andrews; J Anderson Thomson |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Psychological review Volume: 116 ISSN: 0033-295X ISO Abbreviation: Psychol Rev Publication Date: 2009 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-07-21 Completed Date: 2009-09-28 Revised Date: 2011-04-01 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0376476 Medline TA: Psychol Rev Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 620-54 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0126, USA. pandrews@vcu.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adaptation, Psychological*
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physiology Affect / physiology Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects, therapeutic use Arousal / physiology Attention* / physiology Awareness / physiology Biological Evolution Depression / physiopathology, psychology*, therapy Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology, psychology, therapy Humans Memory, Short-Term / physiology Models, Psychological Prefrontal Cortex / physiology Problem Solving* / physiology Psychomotor Performance / physiology Psychotherapy Serotonin / physiology Stress, Psychological / complications, physiopathology Synaptic Transmission / physiology Thinking / physiology |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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DA-018673/DA/NIDA NIH HHS; MH-20030/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; T32 MH020030-01/MH/NIMH NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Antidepressive Agents; 50-67-9/Serotonin |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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