Relapsing Brief Depression includes depressed mood and at least four other symptoms of major depression that do not meet full criteria for another depressive disorder. These symptoms should last at least two days and no more than thirteen days (American Psychiatric Association 2013). These episodes must occur once a month for at least twelve consecutive months in a person who does not meet criteria for any other depressive, bipolar, or psychotic disorder (American Psychiatric Association 2013). This depressive disorder can be diagnosed by a clinician who must ensure that there is no underlying cause for the symptoms. For a clinician to diagnose recurrent brief depression, distress and impairment in normal functioning must be present (Sue and Sue 2013). Recurrent brief depression is caused by a combination of factors including biological, social, sociocultural, and psychological dimensions (Sue and Lawsuit 2013). The different interactions of these dimensions can lead to depression. The biological dimension is inherited from our parents and could potentially go back to the beginning of the lineage. This includes our genetics, brain anatomy, biochemical imbalances, central nervous system function, and autonomic nervous system responsiveness (Sue and Sue 2013). Depression has a strong hereditary component, so if someone in your family has depression, you are at higher risk of developing it (Cohen-Woods, Craig, and McGuffin 2013). There is no single gene that leads to depression; instead, there are multiple genes that interact with each other and the environment, which can lead to vulnerability to developing depression (El Hage, Powell, Surguladze, and McGuffin 2013). Hormonal Abnormalities...... middle of paper .... ....psychotherapy focuses on current interpersonal issues, so that individuals can make positive changes in their relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and distorted thoughts associated with depression (FAVA GIOVANNI). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy involves calming one's awareness of one's current experience, thoughts, and feelings and promotes an attitude of acceptance rather than judgment, evaluation, or rumination. Therapy tends to have long-term effects, unlike medications, because they only reduce symptoms without treating the problem. After experiencing a negative experience such as trauma, we often try to avoid dealing with it. As anxiety builds, we unconsciously distort the truth by implementing defense mechanisms. In the novel "Room", Ma uses two defense mechanisms to avoid facing the truth.