After millions of years of evolution, one would think that our brains would have evolved to become resistant to malfunctions like mental disorders. Why then, is depression still so common? According to authors of an article published in the Psychological Review, depression may be an adaptation rather than a disorder. This daring proposal came from research on the 5HT1A serotonin-binding receptor. Rodents lacking this receptor appear to show less depressive symptoms, suggesting that this receptor promotes depression purposefully. Why would the brain do this? Scientists believe that depressive symptoms act as a messaging system to tell the brain that complex social problems are present and that solving is required. Depressed individuals are often stuck in a state of mind where they think about their problems intensely. This intense thinking process requires constant firing of neurons in the brain region known as the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Like any machinery, overusing these neurons can cause neural degradation. Here’s where the 5HT1A receptor comes into play. This receptor prevents the break down of VLPFC neurons, allowing the depressed individual to continuously think analytically. The resulting analytical-styled thinking is believed to be crucial in solving and dissecting complex social problems.
Many clinicians are under the impression that these ruminations are harmful, however, many studies have found that expressive writing and acknowledgement of the issues at hand actually help depressed individuals achieve quicker resolutions. This new interpretation of depression may help clinicians and therapists reroute the path to recovery for depressed individuals by encouraging these thought processes to continue.