Unipolar Depression- Monoamine Evaluation

One strength of the monoamine explanation is that our understanding of the biochemistry of depression develops, so do the drugs to treat it. 

E.g.: the explanation suggests that both serotonin and noradrenaline and dopamine are involved in causing unipolar depression 

This is a strength of the biochemical explanation because treatments based on them may improve quality of life and reduce stress.

One weakness of the explanation is that the low levels of monoamines appear not to be the only cause. 

Delgado used a special diet to lower the levels of Tryptophan found that depressive symptoms returned for 67% of patients. Tryptophan is an amino acid which is required to regulate serotonin. 

Therefore, whilst low levels of monoamines may be a cause of depression it cannot be said to be the only cause. 

One weakness of the explanation is the cause or effect. 

The explanation suggests that low levels of monoamines are the cause of depression 

However, there is a possibility that the depression effects monoamines levels. 

One strength of the explanation is that the research conducted on anti-depressants supports it. 

Anti-depressants increase monoamine levels which help alleviate depression and make their mood better. 

This shows that reduced monoamines may be a possible cause. 

One strength is that Versini's research supports it. 

They found that patients who had Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors increased their mood. 

If changing the biology can reduce symptoms there may be a biological cause. 

To conclude, it seems almost certain that levels of monoamine neurotransmitters are linked to depression. However, not everyone responds to anti-depressants, this means that there is another cause other than the biochemical explanation.