Causes of Depression
The Roots of Sad, Anxious, and Defeated Feelings
Causes of depression include loss, unexpressed anger & disturbed brain chemicals. Different causes require different treatments for depression.
Though the exact cause of depression hasn't been determined, we do know that women experience it twice as often as men. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person - but there are common indicators of depressed feelings. Different causes require different treatments for depression. For instance, if you're depressed or have defeated feelings because of unexpressed anger, you may benefit from counseling. If your brain chemicals are wonky (a common cause of depression) then antidepressants as treatments may be helpful.
There are three main theories that seem to explain the causes of depression or the "common cold" of psychiatry (dubbed as such by Martin Seligman).
Cause of Depression: Unbearable Loss
Depression can be a reaction to a loss in your life. Death, divorce, separation are hard blows – and they can definitely cause depression. Other emotional losses can be just as traumatic: loss of hope, self-identity, faith, innocence. You can lose sight of your self-worth or self-esteem and spiral into depression. You can lose sight of your dreams, which can cause depression.
Cause of Depression: Unexpressed Anger
"Depression is anger turned inward." Causes of depression include unexpressed anger or rage. An example of this is the perennial nice guy who never has a negative comment, who never expresses his anger no matter how bad the situation is. Being easy-going is one thing; swallowing your rage is another. Not expressing yourself can cause depression.
Cause of Depression: Brain Chemicals
Noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine are brain chemicals that are abnormally low in depressed people. These chemicals are involved in the transition of nerve impulses in the brain – they're also known as monoamines. So, regardless of how wonderful your life is, you could struggle with depression simply because of your brain chemicals – or lack thereof. Unstable or low brain chemicals can cause depression.
Drug or alcohol abuse and hormonal disorders have also been cited as causes of depression.
Other Factors That Cause Depression:
- Family history of depression (genetic vulnerabilities cause depression).
- Being female (women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression).
- Stress (eg, battling a chronic illness) can cause depression.
- Perfection - unrealistic expectations can cause depression.
- Struggles with other medical conditions (for instance, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer patients have higher rates of depression).
Knowing the risks and causes of depression can help you avoid it. However, learning how to cope when someone you love is depressed is different. Depression is hard on the person who suffers, and it's tough on the people who love her. Knowing how to act and what to say can be difficult especially if you don't know the cause of depression. Finding a good therapist who specializes in causes of depression would be helpful.
Sometimes we get the blues, and that's normal and even healthy. Sometimes we're down for no reason at all! It's not a long-lasting or double depression, it's just a vague sadness. You can learn how to banish feelings of sadness, or just let yourself feel sad. After all, being sad is part of a balanced life. Some of the most intense and touching poetry, books, and movies were created out of sadness that was felt and expressed – not repressed or denied.
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