Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a profound impact on a person's life. It is not caused by a single factor, but rather a combination of factors, including stressful life events, genetic vulnerability, and faulty mood regulation by the brain. Women may be more likely to experience depression than men, and those with a family history of depression are also at an increased risk. Symptoms of depression can include persistent feelings of sadness and loneliness, difficulty doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes even feeling that life is not worth living.
Fortunately, depression is treatable, and seeking help from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is the best way to start feeling better. The causes of depression are complex and varied. Stressful life events such as grief, divorce, illness, dismissal, and work or financial concerns can all be triggers for depression. In some cases, depression can occur during a serious medical illness or after a major life change such as the death of a loved one. Genetics may also play a role in the development of depression, as those with a family history of the condition are more likely to suffer from it themselves.
Abnormalities in brain chemistry can also contribute to depression, as can certain medications and physical conditions. It is important to note that depression is not simply due to having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Research suggests that there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events. A number of these forces are thought to interact to cause depression. For some people, a negative or unhappy family environment can lead to depression. Other high-stress life situations such as poverty, homelessness or violence can also contribute.
Dealing with bullying or peer pressure can make some people feel isolated or victimized. Multiple genes that interact with each other in special ways are likely to contribute to the various types of depression that occur in families. For example, the hippocampus - a small part of the brain that is vital for memory storage - appears to be smaller in some people with a history of depression than in those who have never been depressed. Depression can cause disturbances in sleep, appetite, and activity levels; in turn, lack of sleep, diet, and exercise can aggravate symptoms of depression. Pain and depression can coexist for some people. The emergence of cognitive models of depression played an important role in the development of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective in treating depression. If you feel depressed after starting any type of medication, refer to the patient information leaflet to see if depression is an adverse effect or consult your doctor.
When grief and depression coincide, grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. The 1950s was an important decade in the treatment of depression thanks to doctors noting that a tuberculosis drug called isoniazid seemed to be useful in treating depression in some people. Although no specific genes for depression have been identified, research has shown that if you have a close family member with depression you are more likely to suffer from it yourself. The good news is that depression is treatable. If you have symptoms of depression talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The sooner you get help the sooner you can start feeling better.
