What Causes Depression?

Family History

Depression is a type of neurological disorder in which someone has symptoms of sadness, low self-worth, irritability, emptiness, insomnia, overeating, loss of appetite, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue and thoughts of suicide. Many times depression can be attributed to a family history of the illness as patients whose parent or parents suffered from the disorder often find themselves faced with the same symptoms. The reason for this is that they may contain a similar genetic makeup that ties them to developing depression. According to HealthyPlace.com, other factors such as stress or a traumatic event may also be involved in the onset of an episode of depression.

Physical Conditions

The basis of depression occurs when there are actual physical changes in the brain, such as a chemical imbalance that causes an interruption in signals connecting the brain and its nerves. There are also other physical conditions that can cause depression to occur as well. Heart disease, AIDS and many forms of aggressive cancer all can be linked to setting off depression. The reason for this is that many types of major disease can cause a huge physical and emotional strain on the body. Depression has been known to impair the immune system---a viable part of the body used in fighting disease and illness. When this happens, the body can feel even more worn down. In some cases, the treatment and medications used to treat major illnesses can also be attributed to some forms of depression.

Stress

People who have had episodes of excessive stress and emotional strain may put themselves at a greater risk for developing depression. Two common types of depression include major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. Both can be triggered by stress and can occur either once or excessively over a span of several years. Any time there is an excessive amount of life changes such as a death in the family or of a loved one, a divorce or family problems, the risk of being overwhelmed and developing depression symptoms increases. If the stress goes unresolved, certain symptoms such as anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed may become excessive. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-worth because the sufferer is not dealing with the problems or issues at hand. Those who suffer from stress-related depression may be inclined to seek treatment such as behavioral therapy. Therapy may be used in combination with modern antidepressants to help regulate serotonin levels in the brain.