The complexity of depression makes it difficult to know what causes it. However, depression occurs for a variety of reasons and in different circumstances. Some get depressed due to some life changes, particularly when going through grief or pain due to severe medical conditions.
Those who have gone through depression will always associate loneliness and sadness as some of the primary symptoms.
Depression is caused by a complex interaction of the physical, social, and biological factors. The disorder is a severe mental condition that some people cannot get over. Failing to treat depression can lead to lasting health conditions.
What are the Causes of Depression?
Depression is not a simple disorder with a cause that you can identify and treat. Getting depressed depends on a person’s susceptibility to handling depressive episodes. These are some of the possible causes of depression.
- Susceptible Genes
Depression can pass from parents to their children through genetic transfer. The possibility of experiencing depression increases if one of your parents has been suffering from severe depression episodes. Science is trying to find out the gene responsible for the transmission.
- Stress and anxiety
Depression can result in changes in the brain’s response to stress. Neurotransmitters affect mood by altering pleasure or happiness. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine should keep your moods in check. The moment they are out of balance, depression kicks, leaving you restless and foul mood.
- Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes in the body can lead to a depressive state when there is an unexpected change. Women are likely to suffer depression during menopause, after childbirth, or thyroid problems that could lead to stress.
Post-partum depression in mothers is a serious condition when it goes beyond the usual emotional reaction after giving birth.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is associated with feelings of tiredness, lethargy, and loss of interest in things that matter. Some suffer seasonal affective disorder due to the seasonal changes of more extended days and shorter nights. Once the days resume to normalcy, the condition goes away.
- Prevailing Situation
Going through a tough period in your life can put you on the verge of depression. A situation like change in lifestyle due to job loss, losing a loved one, financial troubles, etc. are situations that need some changes to take place in your life.
- Poor Diet
A balanced diet has a positive impact on your mood. Processed foods contribute to depression and anxiety. Always eat whole and nutrient-rich foods to keep your body’s biological processes stable.
- Lack of Sleep
Poor sleeping patterns drains the energy out of you, making it look like you are overworked, but the lack of sleep causes more stress. Lack of sleep makes you susceptible to mood changes because the emotional brain connections are not in order.
- Drug Abuse
Alcoholism and drug abuse contribute to depressive disorders. However, some clinical drugs such as stimulants, statins, corticosteroids, etc. may contribute to depression when abused.
Regardless of the cause of depression, effective treatments and therapies are available. The best start is to tell your doctor how you feel and possible reasons to have an easy time in prescribing the right medicine.
