Cutting the Loops of Depression: a System Dynamics Representation of the Feedback Mechanisms Involved in Depression Development

Abstract

Depression is a complex illness that involves the instability of biological and psychological structures in an individual. These disturbances make a depressed person to be affected in the personal relationships within his social circles and to be unable to fulfill normal daily activities as expected. Once depressed individuals recognize the need for help, they might be part of ‘therapeutic essays’ based on doctors´ experience and contemporary advances. These trial and error treatments can lead to unintended consequences that could worsen depression symptoms. Therefore, personalized treatments (a currently buzz term in the medical domain) are needed to reduce the time that an individual remains in a depressed condition. This paper contributes to treatment personalization of depression by presenting the first comprehensive feedback oriented model of the cognitive and biological structures involved in depression and how different treatments may bring the main affected indicators during depression back to their desired values. Moreover, the model generated with this project may serve as a tool for improving academic discussion around depression and also as a communication device for specialists (psychologists and physicians) to better communicate patients about their condition and how treatments may affect it.