The exact cause of depression is not yet fully understood, but it is thought there are several factors that combine to trigger an episode, although these same triggers don’t necessarily cause depression in everyone. People often get depression due to a range of causes rather than just one trigger. Some of the main causes are listed below:
Physical – certain events such as accidents, menopause, and childbirth, can cause hormonal changes in the body responsible for the onset of depression, for example, post-natal depression, or post traumatic stress disorder leading to depression. Recent research also suggests that depression in older men can be linked to decreased testosterone levels.7
Chemical – there is a strong theory in depression psychology that clinical depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine). These chemicals are known to be responsible for emotion, and if for some reason they become out of balance they can disrupt communication leading to altered emotional states such as depression.
Life events – known as ‘reactive depression,’ some people develop clinical depression after a stressful or upsetting life event, such as bereavement, financial difficulties, divorce, illness, etc. It is thought that the event itself is not the actual cause of the depression, rather the inability of the person to deal with the resulting thoughts and feelings connected to the original event.
Psychological – people with a pessimistic outlook on life, low self-esteem, and who have difficulty coping with stress, are thought to be more vulnerable to developing depression. For instance, they may talk about experiencing a “downward spiral” where a negative event leads to withdrawing from family and friends, which may lead to increased drinking, which in turn causes relationship problems, leading to further withdrawal and depression.
Disrupted circadian rhythms – your circadian rhythms control the timing, quantity and quality of the hormones and neurotransmitters the body produces and secretes which control our appetite, energy, mood and sleep/wake pattern. When our circadian rhythm is out of balance, mood and sleep can be disrupted, this is why almost all depression sufferers have sleep problems and feel worse at a particular time of day.
Genetics – if someone in your family has depression you are more likely to develop the condition yourself, although not necessarily. Studies show that versions of the 5-HTT gene are inherited, and that in people with depression the “short version” of this gene is present.
Having another disease – research shows that having certain diseases can make you more likely to develop depression. These diseases include Parkinson’s Disease (about 40% of people with Parkinson’s disease will also suffer from depression)8, viral infections such as glandular fever and influenza, hypertension, dementia, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, stroke, heart disease, and Cushing’s Syndrome.
Prescription medication – some prescription medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, corticosteroids, and levodopa have been known to cause depression in some patients. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor because there are often alternative medications you can take that don’t cause depression.
Recreational drugs – long term use of cannabis and cocaine has been shown to cause depression
Excessive drinking – people who drink too much alcohol on a regular basis are more prone to getting clinical depression.
Decreased social activities – although research can’t prove it one way or another, it is thought that people who withdraw from society, who have fewer interests and hobbies, and less social outings tend to get depression more than people who fully engage in society.
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Last Updated 07/05/2009 14:31:05
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