r characteristics which are primarily female, such as middle aged depression (Menopause related), women who are in a passive-dependent relationship, and women who are with a suicidal man. Shared characteristics include adolescents with identity and dependency problems and the old and alone type with failing health (Lester, 1988).Medical and Psychological technology brings us to a new understanding into the physiology of things. It is tough to dispute the fact that chemical processes throughout the body actually effect behavior, and behavior is the result of both chemical and environmental influence. In the previous text, I have examined many of the environmental factors attributed to the occurrence of suicidal behavior. Since behavior is a combination of both factors, I must address the physiological conditions that make suicide possible.Depression, and the physical manifestations that coincide, can be due to any number of biological processes. First, studies on hemispheric dominance indicate a strong relationship between happiness and increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex. Therefore, it makes sense that inactivity in the left prefrontal cortex and overactivity in the right prefrontal cortex is prevalent in people suffering from depression. Why this is so is still under debate, but there are treatments for such hemispheric abnormalities. One of such methods for treatment is electroshock therapy (ECT), though why ECT works in the treatment of depression is still not precisely known (Kalat, 1998).Other factors in brain chemistry that have noticeable effects on depression and suicide are the neurotransmitters norepenephrine and serotonin. Most anti-depressive drugs on the market work with these two chemicals. For whatever reasons, blocking the reuptake of serotonin so that the brain can utilize it longer is the foundation for most of the current antidepressants commonly prescribed today. There are three general types o...
