“Am I really depressed? Maybe I’m having a simple case of the down-and-out blues? Am I weak for having these feelings? Why can’t I just snap out of it? How do I know if I’m really depressed and what on earth is causing the depression.”
These are questions asked by thousands of men and women every day. Depression is a serious mood disorder robbing people of joy and happiness. Depression disrupts families. It causes issues in the workplace. It affects productivity and thus the economy. Understanding depression and its causes is a major initiative by mental health researchers around the world. This article will review what researchers believe to be some of the causes of depression.
No person diagnosed with depression wants to hear that doctors do not know the exact cause of the disorder. It’s complex. What is encouraging is that progress is being made into understanding that genetics, biological factors, environment (including a major life event) and psychological factors may all play into depression.
Biology and Brain Anatomy: Our brains contain a section that is vital to memory storage known as the hippocampus. Depressed patients have a hippocampus that is smaller than in people who do not suffer from depression. The smaller hippocampus does not have as many serotonin receptors as normal brains. Serotonin is a chemical known as a neurotransmitter that allows information processing across brain circuitry including information about emotions. Lack of sufficient serotonin may cause hypersensitivity to rejection, chronic pessimism and obsessive worry. Researchers do not fully understand if the smaller hippocampus is cause or effect. The stress hormone cortisol is present in excessive amounts in people diagnosed with depression. Perhaps high amounts of cortisol actually make the hippocampus smaller. Or people could simply be born with a smaller hippocampus and are inclined to suffer from depression at some point in their life.
Genetics: While it is true that people from families with a history of depression are themselves somewhat more likely to struggle with depression, there is no single gene or what might be called the “depression gene.” Geneticists theorize that many genes may be indirectly related to depressive tendencies and when these genes are triggered by environment, depression results.
Postpartum Depression: 75% of new mothers experience mild levels of postpartum depression with 12% experiencing severe postpartum depression. The symptoms of postpartum depression for new mothers are the same as for others suffering from depression. In the case of new born babies, the infant might be physically well, but psychologically deprived of a normal bonding experience with mother.
Chronic Illness: If a patient is suffering from a chronic illness and undergoing treatment for the illness without the assurance of a cure, depression may take hold. Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease and HIV are a few of the more serious diseases that can lead to depression.
Grief and Stress: The loss of a loved one may cause depression in people who are prone to depression. The nature of the death, whether sudden or a long term illness, may affect the bereaving. Bereavement is a natural part of the life – death cycle. However, when the bereavement period extends beyond what is culturally normal and when accompanied by severe loss of appetite and sleep, normal grieving may have turned into depression.
Other Causes of Depression:
Midlife crisis starting for women at about 40 and men at about 50
Life out of control with too many responsibilities such as career, children, aging parents
Thyroid disorders
Perimenopause and Menopause
Drug and/or alcohol abuse
Insufficient sleep
Loneliness
If you believe that you or a friend or loved one is suffering from depression, a professional certified psychologist will assist you with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Depression is treatable and many people recover each and every day.