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Causes of Depression
Several factors often play a role in the development of depression. Genetically, you may be predisposed to become depressed more quickly, or traits in your personality contribute to the prolonged persistence of depressive symptoms.
Why do I feel depressed? How does this feeling arise?
In depression, you are deficient in the substances dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are important for transmitting signals from the brain. The creation, blocking and uptake of these signaling substances is a complicated process that can be affected by several factors:
- Your own hormone balance: this is often hereditary
- Your lifestyle: do you eat healthy and do you exercise and sleep enough?
- Interactions with others: how do you function socially?
- And your coping strategies: the way you deal with stressful situations. This has to do with your personality.
Below we further explain the possible causes of depression.
Biological factors
The following biological factors are risk factors in developing depression:
1. Depression and heredity
Hereditary traits can increase the risk of depression. For example, research [1] among twins shows that hereditary factors play a role in the development of depression. You can inherit a vulnerability to getting depression from your parents. That does not mean, by the way, that you will necessarily become depressed.
2. Depression and hormones
If your hormones are disrupted, such as by chronic stress or a traumatic experience, you are at greater risk of developing depression. The risk of depression is also higher for menopausal women. Women experience many hormonal changes which often leads to dejected and depressed feelings.
Endogenous depressions
We speak of endogenous depression when the factor of heredity or hormones play a role. The depression arises from your own body and not from external factors. The cause may be in the brain, but an abnormal liver or thyroid gland can also lead to depression. If you feel that your depression comes on without any apparent cause, this may indicate endogenous depression. when the factor of heredity or hormones play a role. The depression arises from your own body and not from external factors. The cause may be in the brain, but an abnormal liver or thyroid gland can also lead to depression. If you feel that your depression comes on without any apparent cause, this may indicate endogenous depression.
Physical factors
There are several physical factors that contribute to feelings of depression.
- Excessive drug and alcohol use. This can regularly lead to depression.
- Side effects of certain medications. This can sometimes cause somberness symptoms.
- Diseases. Some people develop inflammation or disease of an organ that is partly responsible for hormone balance. Consider, for example, the thyroid gland. Failure of this organ to function properly creates a disruption in hormones, which can lead to depression.
Somatogenic depression
Depression resulting from injury or a physical condition is also called somatogenic depression. For example, if you have suffered physical damage in an accident or if you have a chronic illness.
Social factors
The following social factors are risk factors in developing depression;
- A major, intense event. Consider the death of a loved one. This can be a trigger for depressive feelings.
- Trauma. Trauma or a strong sense of loneliness can also contribute to depression. Sometimes you go through a serious experience and find that social support falls away. You cannot turn to friends or family, feel alone and become socially isolated.
Exogenous depression
Depression that is clearly due to a traumatic event that produces psychological symptoms is also called exogenous depression. So consider divorce; the loss of a loved one or a combination of profound events.
Personal factors
Personal factors can also contribute in the development of depression:
- The way you are in life affects whether or not you develop depression.
- Do you have a negative self-image? If so, your thoughts are often mostly negative, and you are afraid of failure.
- Feeling low in self-confidence can also contribute to the development of depression.
- Your thought patterns frequently relate to yourself, and you get caught in a vicious cycle of negative thoughts.
Help
Do you have the feeling that you are suffering from depression or do you know someone who is dealing with it? You can work together with a psychologist to determine whether it is the cause of your depression and what options you have to cope with the depressive feelings and how to improve the situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is depression hereditary?
Hereditary strain increases the risk of depression. But this fortunately does not mean that you will face depression in your life. Your environment also plays an important role in this as does your coping.
Can you be depressed for no reason?
Depression can occur with no apparent cause. It is quite frustrating when you are depressed for no apparent reason. However, there is often a reason that keeps the depression going. What it is that keeps your depression going, you investigate with the psychologist during treatment.
Can depression go away on its own?
Generally, the symptoms of depression go away after about three months. But that often doesn’t happen completely by itself. Certain coping strategies help. These include talking to others about your symptoms, getting more rest or living healthier.
Sources
Related symptoms
Depression
Depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. It’s a mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and function in daily life. It can influence your energy, motivation, relationships, and ability to concentrate. Many people experience depressive symptoms at some point in their lives. Symptoms often develop gradually and may include persistent sadness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. The good news is that depression is treatable. With the right support, recovery is possible.
My partner has a depression
Depression is hard on the person experiencing it. But for a partner or loved one of someone with depression, it is also very difficult. How can you best deal with the depressive symptoms of someone you care about? How do you help someone, while continuing to take good care of yourself? Read more about how to live with a depressed partner or loved one.
Dysthyme disorder
Dysthymic disorder is a mild but long-term form of depression characterized by a gloomy mood for extended periods and multiple symptoms of depression. Thoughts such as ‘This is just how I am’ may arise, but nothing could be further from the truth. Learn to recognize chronic depression, understand how it develops, and discover what you can do about it.
Types of depression
Depression comes in many shapes and sizes. For example, some people experience long-term mild depressive symptoms, as is the case with dysthymic disorder. Meanwhile, other people struggle with severe depression, or go through alternating periods of highs and lows, as is the case with bipolar disorder. This means, that although depression comes up frequently, there are huge differences between how severe a depressive episode is and how long it lasts.
Postpartum depression
Giving birth to a child is always a significant event. In both positive and negative ways. Pregnancy hormones are rushing through your body. Your nights get shorter. And you’ve suddenly become a mother: It’s a huge responsibility. Sometimes the changes are so significant that the arrival of your child can lead to postpartum depression. Have you recognized symptoms of postpartum depression in yourself or your partner? Read on to learn more about postpartum depression and what you can do about it.
Cope with depression
When you suffer from depression, you are stuck in your own negative patterns. Breaking free of these patterns can be difficult. Acknowledging your depressive symptoms is the first step upward. Once you have reached the point of acknowledgment, you can try the tips below to deal with depression.
Depression treatment
I have depression, what now? When you are in the midst of depression and can no longer see for yourself how to get out of this negative spiral, professional help may be a solution. Timely treatment of depression is important. Read more about how to effectively treat depression and the different therapies.