Depression's Impact on the Individual and Societal Level

          It is all too common to hear loads of numbers being thrown out on the news and in academia discussing the increasing rates of depression. Many people claim to have the answers—just drink more water, make sure to exercise, delete all social media—but these solutions cannot seem to make a dent in the number of those suffering from these disorders. Different medications and forms of therapy are known to provide aide to certain individuals, but this is not a problem with a one-size-fits-all solution. Continuing research in discovering ways to reduce the growing numbers of those diagnosed with depression is crucial alongside understanding the impact this disorder can have on an individual’s life.  

            Professor Vukov highlighted the work of Molly J. Crockett in understanding neurochemical modulation of moral judgment and behavior. Crockett focused on the effects of modulating serotonin specifically in her work. In the first experiment, one group of participants were given citalopram (blocks serotonin reuptake) or atomoxetine (a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) or a placebo. The researchers found that in personal moral scenarios, citalopram increased harm aversion. In the next study, the researchers examined how serotonin impacts views of fairness. They blocked serotonin with tryptophan which caused increased rejection of unfair offers in an ultimatum game. Citalopram reduced the rejection of unfair offers. In a third study, the team sound that depleting serotonin increases costly punishment behaviors and made fairness goals less salient. Overall, the pattern of results suggests that serotonin depletion decreased the value of social exchange and increased the value of revenge.  

            These results demonstrating effects of neurochemical manipulations on morality may have potential normative implications. The researchers showed that moral judgments and decisions are sensitive to fluctuations in brain chemistry. However, certain moral judgments appear to be more sensitive to nonnormative factors than others. For example, making judgments about physical harms change more depending on serotonin levels compared to more impersonal or indirect harm situations. The power of this neuromodulation is also affected by individual differences such as variations in empathy. This is explained given how genotypic variability affects how one’s nervous system reacts to changes in neurotransmitter levels. Therefore, moral judgments are not fixed but are contingent on neuromodulator levels. This raises the question of the possible impact of depression on morality.

            Looking at data from two annual college undergraduate surveys from 2007 to 2018 by Duffy and colleagues, researchers found a board worsening of mental health indicators including depression and anxiety. The data suggests that something shifted around 2012 or 2013. Some speculate that this was around the time that smartphones and social media switched from being optional to mandatory among adolescents. Matching the survey data, university counseling centers have been reporting increases in the students’ utilization of campus mental health services. However, it is impossible to know if this was driven by more students in need seeking help or actual increases in the number of students with poor mental health. The study was not designed to determine the causes of increasing mental health issues but instead to just make public the prevalence of this issue.

            Data demonstrating the increasing frequency of young adults with depression being placed alongside the possible moral implications that come with serotonin depletion lay the groundwork for a quite harmful epidemic. Both articles highlight just how crucial mental health reform is now. With more individuals diagnosed with depression every year, the influence on societal morality will likely follow the same trend. Crockett’s work coupled with Duffy’s survey analysis point toward the necessity of continued research. Duffy’s work outlines the size of the issue while Crockett’s research highlights the influence depression can have on the individual. Connecting the individual burden with the large-scale numbers exemplifies the societal burden. Comprehending the societal consequences of depression is the first step of finding the solution. Crockett and Duffy’s work provide a necessary move in the right direction.

Works Cited

Crockett, Molly J. “Morphing Morals.” Moral Brains, 2016, pp. 237–245.,

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199357666.003.0011.

Duffy, Mary E., et al. “Trends in Mood and Anxiety Symptoms and Suicide-Related Outcomes

Among U.S. Undergraduates, 2007–2018: Evidence From Two National Surveys.”

Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 65, no. 5, 2019, pp. 590–598.,

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.04.033.