There are several possible causes of depression. It can be a combination of
factors, and some people might relate to these factors without ever developing
depression.
Learned Behavior
People learn what they consider “normal” from the environment
in which they are raised. If a person is raised around others with depression
or a pessimistic attitude, they will adopt these outlooks as well. They will
also have no good examples of coping skills to model.
Stress
Stressful life events such as failing a class, moving far away from friends
or family, or ending a serious relationship can bring on an episode of depression.
While most people will experience sadness over such events, people with a tendency
towards depression will react more strongly, especially in the absence of appropriate
coping skills or a support system.
Other Medical Illnesses
The stress of being ill can increase the likelihood that someone will become
depressed. Certain illnesses in particular seem to be linked to depression.
These include under-active thyroid, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. In some
cases it is possible that medications prescribed for certain illnesses put
a person at a greater risk for depression.
Gender
Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression. Researchers are not
certain as to why, but it is believed that it might simply be that women are
more likely to report being depressed. Women are also more likely to suffer
from anxiety, which might also explain why they develop depression more often
than men.
Chemical Imbalance
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It is believed that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain causes
depression in some cases. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are chemical
messengers that operate within the brain to influence mood. If these get out
of balance, a person can become more sensitive to the onset of depression.
Heredity
Research shows that people with a family history of depression are more likely
to develop depression themselves. This is especially true in the case of bipolar
disorder. In fact, people with a family history of depression are 2 to 3 times
more likely to develop depression than those with no genetic predisposition.
Perfectionism
People who have unrealistically high standards for themselves or suffer from
a persistent inability to be satisfied with outcomes due to perfectionism have
been shown to be more likely to suffer from depression. When stressful situations
present themselves, perfectionists have more difficulty coping, and this can
increase the risk of depression in these situations.
Often times, poor coping skills compound these issues and intensify the problems
individuals are experiencing. When people perceive a problem and focus on the
issues surrounding that situation, the problem can seem to grow. Excessive
worry can become debilitating and eventually turn into depression.
Author: Nan Little
Website: http://www.insightjournal.com/
Do you experience a persistent sad or “empty” outlook? Have you lost
interest in activities you once enjoyed? Do you avoid family and
friends? Experiencing these symptoms indicates that you may be
depressed. Find out more about depression here.
What are the steps to diagnosing a depressive illness? Find out what
your healthcare professional will need to learn in order to determine
whether you have occasional bouts of the blues or an actual depressive
disorder.
What type of person develops a depressive disorder? Learn more about
what researchers have discovered, including genetics, the
‘psychological connection’, other illnesses and stress.
The term "depression" is actually an umbrella term that encompasses
several different types of depressive illnesses. All of these
illnesses share certain characteristics, but they affect each person’s
life differently. Find out more about major depression, bipolar
depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and other types of
depression here.
We can all see the way sunlight affects the seasonal activities of
plants and animals. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be an effect
of this seasonal light variation in humans. Find out more about SAD
here.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder have many treatment options available to them. Psychotherapy (including Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), prescription medications, as well as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are just some of the treatments for depression.
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