Causes of Depression

Thanks to research by medical professionals over the many years that depression has been rampant, we now have a  much better understanding as to the underlying causes of depression. Although the research is still not definite, researchers believe their theories are far more accurate than they ever have been, and for good reason; the main one being an advance in technology and equipment they have access too. And despite the fact that researchers have not pinpointed the cause of depression, they know one thing for certain; there is not only one factor that leads to depression, and in fact, there are likely many.

Years ago, researchers believed that depression was brought on by struggles in life which triggered emotional reactions. This is likely why people have the misconception that being “sad” and depressed are the same thing, when they are in fact far apart from one another by definition. With all the research completely, medical research has allowed us to conclude that the main causes of depression revolve around three factors. Although these three factors are important, they are certainly not the only main causes of depression:

  • Biological factors
  • Genetics
  • Environmental factors

The biological factors basically revolve around the brain and changes in hormones, and have recently come to be greatly attributed as one of the major causes of depression. Recent studies have actually revealed that people who are depressed actually do not have a balanced number of neurotransmitters, which is what allows our brains to interact with other brain cells. Now, there are two transmitters, one of which is serotonin, and the other which is norepinephrine. Current studies also show that those who have low levels of serotonin often are unable to sleep and suffer from anxiety (which are two common depression symptoms). On the other hand, a low level of norepinephrine is associated with being tired, and simply the “down and out” feeling among those who are depressed (another two common depression symptoms). Unfortunately, medical professionals are still not certain where low levels of these two substances are what actually cause depression, or if they simply agitate and make symptoms more severe.

Genetics has recently been increasingly attributed as one of the causes of depression among humans. Researchers are still unable to determine specific genetic factors, but they believe they have gotten extremely close. They have concluded that there is between 40 and 50 percent chance of having depression based on genetic disposition. The remaining percentage is not directly related to genetics, and actually deals with the persons environment and stressors.

Lastly, factors such as stress, which are referred to as environmental factors, can lead to depression. People are often stressed because of work, college, relationships, and similar occurrences. This is not the same as having a bad week or two, and then bouncing back. Most people have had those times in their life where they feel stressed for a couple weeks, be it due to work, school, or what not, but reaching depression is generally a longer process. One has an increased chance of becoming depressed when the stressor is ongoing, and this is often more common when one has either lost their job, or is going through a breakup or bitter divorce. Again, there is a big difference between being temporarily stressed, and being depressed. If you’re stress has consistently ongoing, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a mental health professional.

causes of depression

It is important to keep in mind that the above are not the only causes of depression. The above are simply what researchers have attributed with being major causes of depression. Other causes of depression range greatly, with some including:

  • Physical, Mental, or Sexual Abuse
  • Medications
  • Death of friend/family member/etc.
  • Terminal illnesses
  • Alcohol/Drug Abuse

The above are just a few of the other causes of depression. As a general rule, anything that can cause sorrow or sadness in ones life can also eventually lead to depression. In many cases, those who deal with a catastrophic event by keeping everything bottled in, and to themselves, are the ones who have a higher chance of suffering from depression.