Fossil DNA viruses cause depression

Written by: Asma Khalil

Depressed patients used to suffer from the ravages of the disease and no one felt it, and what's more, those around them would always accuse them of having no ambition or passion for the future, but they silently hid their pain.


In previous eras, science was not advanced enough to recognize a classification of depression, and some people might have described it as demonic possession, weakness in faith, or lack of connection with God, but with the amazing technological advances, science was able to reach what depression is and know some of its causes, which in turn led to easy treatment and integration of the patient into society.


Science did not stop at these causes only, but every day there are new discoveries, and scientists are still in continuous research until they find all the driving causes of this disease.
But first, what are the symptoms of depression?

First: Severe sadness

This is not the transient state of sadness that normal people may experience as a result of going through a painful situation, but the pathological depression causes permanent sadness, a state of distress and sorrow in the heart.

Secondly: Lack of ambition and hope
The depressed person has no hope for tomorrow; therefore, he has no ambition to improve his academic or professional career, or family life.


Thirdly: Minimizing daily activities
The depressed person does not want to integrate with those around him and does not practice normal daily activities, as well as stop going to parks or to relatives.


Fourth: Stop practicing hobbies
Scientists believe that despite the intelligence of many categories of depressed people, many people completely stop practicing hobbies, no matter how much those around them try to convince them.


Fifth: Not integrating with the family
You find that the depressed person does not share conversations or meals with family and friends, and does not like to go on group trips, he prefers to be alone.


Sixth: Weight loss or weight gain
One of the most important characteristics of a depressed person is the change in body weight; either he eats a lot to escape his troubles, or he doesn't see life at all and doesn't eat any food.


A new study explains the occurrence of depression

The study was conducted by King's College London, according to the Daily Mail, and its explanation was based on the fact that everyone's DNA contains genetic viruses, some may think that they fade with time from generation to generation, but the surprise is that they remain no matter how many years pass, and more than that, they are the cause of many diseases of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and even depression.


Researchers at the University of London have explained the presence of "five fossil viruses" inside DNA thousands of years ago, which are the main cause of depression, while scientists in previous eras viewed DNA as junk or insignificant to devote more time to studying it more deeply, and with this discovery, scientists can find a new treatment for those suffering from depression.


What the new study is about

Researchers studied the DNA of chimpanzee genes and then tens of thousands of people with depression, and also dissected the brains of 800 corpses, and discovered the close relationship between DNA dysfunction and mental disorders, as indicated by some scientists previously, such as Dr. Rodrigo Duarte, who confirmed that genetics has a great deal to do with mental illnesses.


Biological causes of depression

In general, about 5% of people around the world suffer from depression, and this percentage is considered a dangerous indicator, so it was a reason for scientists to analyze the causes, especially the biological causes of depression.

Researchers have identified a set of biological causes that are the main factors in the occurrence of depression:

First: Scientists believe that inherited traits play an important role in causing depression, this factor comes earlier before being confirmed by recent studies, and psychologists indicate that the percentage of depressed relatives around a person makes him more prone to depression than others.

Secondly: Thyroid Hormones
Science confirms that any hormonal imbalance affects the balance of the body in general, in addition to the issues of the thyroid gland and what its dysfunction does to affect the psychological state and physical ailments, as well as the change that occurs in women from pregnancy, menstrual days, menopause and other reasons.

Thirdly: Changes in neurotransmitter function
Scientists point out that brain chemistry is not in a state of discipline; unless the role of these neurotransmitters is stabilized, and therefore their impact on mood is very important.

Fourth: Physical differences
Scientists have shown through their research that people with depression have physical differences within their brains.

Finally

A depressed patient must help himself by realizing that he needs treatment, and this is the first stage of recovery, and not to give up taking medications only, but to transform the treatment behaviorally, adhere to the instructions of the psychotherapist, pay attention to his nutrition, especially eating vegetables and fruits, and practice sports and hobbies on a regular basis.