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Causes of Depression: An Overview
What causes depression? Despite many theories, the answer remains elusive. No single factor explains all cases of depression. At present, the most likely explanation is that depression results from a complex interaction of multiple factors including the environment, stress and genetics, as well as psychological and neurochemical influences.
Possible Causes of Depression
The theory that depression symptoms develop from multiple causes is generally accepted by the medical community. Any of the following can be causes of depression:
- Abuse or trauma
- Changes in the brain
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Illness
- Medications
- Stress.
Substance abuse, major life changes (such as a break-up or death in the family), social isolation, poverty and sleeping problems can also play a role in depression.
Stress and Depression
Stress can be linked to life events, including relationship problems, financial hardships, divorce, job loss, serious illness or a death in the family. In some people, high levels of stress appear to trigger depression symptoms.
The Brain and Depression
Causes of depression may include physical changes to the brain. Brain function is different in depressed people than non-depressed individuals, with abnormalities in the parts of the brain associated with:
- Appetite
- Mood
- Sleep
- Thought and memory.
Depression is also associated with imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are vital for communication between brain cells. However, whether neurotransmitter imbalances are causes of depression or symptoms of depression is unclear.
Genetic Causes of Depression
Depression can run in families, suggesting a genetic cause for the condition. However, not every family member at risk of hereditary depression develops the disease, suggesting that genetics alone does not dictate who develops depression.
Abuse, Trauma and Depression Symptoms
Early childhood trauma, either due to abuse, the loss of a parent or other events, is linked to an increased risk of depression.
Hormonal Causes of Depression
Hormonal imbalances can cause depression symptoms. Both hormonal disorders and normal events, such as menopause, can trigger depression.
Medication and Depression Symptoms
Medications can also cause depression symptoms, including blood pressure medications and sleeping pills. Changing the medication usually relieves depression symptoms. Always talk to your doctor about your depression symptoms before stopping or changing the dose of a medication.
Illness and Depression
Serious illness is often accompanied by depression. Cancer patients, survivors of heart attacks and people suffering from chronic illness all have an increased risk of depression.
Depression Myths
Although the causes of depression remain to some extent a mystery, many common myths about depression have been proven false. Depression is not caused by weakness of personality or low willpower, for example.
People with pessimistic personalities and low self esteem are more likely to develop depression than the general population, but these traits may indicate the early stages of the disease rather than being causes of depression itself.
People cannot treat depression simply by “cheering up.” Depression is a complex condition that requires careful treatment. Treatment of depression includes medication and therapy. Newer forms of depression treatment, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are also available if medication and therapy fail to relieve depression symptoms.
Resources
Grohol, J. (2009). The causes of depression. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from the Psych Central website: psychcentral.com/lib/2006/the-causes-of-depression/.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Depression (major depression). Retrieved May 3, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/ds00175/dsection=causes.
National Institute of Mental Health Staff. (2009). Depression. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from the National Institute of Mental Health Web site: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml#pub2.
U.S. National Library of Medicine Staff. (2010). Major depression. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from the MedlinePlus Web site: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm.