Why Do People Get Depressed?

Why do people get depressed? Although there are many factors that have been linked to depression, the truth is that it is often a combination of these factors that predispose a particular person to become depressed. Unfortunately, not all experts agree about the causes of depression, and therefore these same experts often have different philosophies about treatment. However, all experts would agree that depression is a complicated condition that requires careful evaluation of a number of different possible causes.

Here is a description of some of the commonly described contributing factors. Understanding possible causes of depression may assist you in understanding your own condition, and may help to lead you to a physician or counselor who best meets your individual needs.

Heredity and Depression

Although depression can occur in anyone regardless of family history, it does seem to occur in successive generations of some families. Research has shown that if one identical twin has depression, there is a 70 percent chance that the other twin will also develop the condition. Children, parents, and brothers and sisters of a person who is depressed have a 15 percent chance of developing depression themselves, compared with a 2 to 3 percent chance in the general population.

Depression may be caused by a lack of a chemical in the brain, called serotonin. This imbalance of serotonin may be genetically determined. As mentioned above, depression is often caused by a combination of factors. If you have a family history of depression, you are not certain to develop it yourself. However, you may be at increased risk for the condition. If depression does run in your family, you may want to make sure that you eat well (link to diet and depression), get regular physical exercise (link to exercise and depression), and reduce your stress level (link to stress and depression). These activities will help to keep your brain chemistry balanced, and may minimize your risk for developing the disease.

Substance Abuse and Depression

Many depressed people drink alcohol or use drugs to relieve the negative symptoms associated with depression. In addition, many researchers believe that alcohol intake can intensify depressive symptoms, and even cause symptoms of depression in some people. If you are depressed, or have a family history of depression, you may want to eliminate alcohol, or restrict your intake.

Social and Developmental Experiences

Evidence suggests that people who have had serious childhood traumas and losses, such as the loss of a parent or emotional/physical abuse, are more likely to develop depression. Other problems, such as conflicts with family, relationship difficulties, loneliness, and extreme stress, can contribute to the development of depression at any age.

Disease States

In many cases, depression can be brought on by another illness. Some illnesses thought to be connected to the development of depressive symptoms include nervous system disorders, vitamin deficiencies, congestive heart failure, strokes, infectious hepatitis, and endocrine disorders (such as diabetes). Studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis and pancreatic cancer have a much higher rate of depression than those suffering from other serious illnesses. It is unclear how these diseases cause depression, but it is thought that they may have an unbalancing effect on brain chemistry.

Prescription Medications

Some prescription medications can cause depression. Some of these drugs include blood pressure medications, drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease, steroids, sedatives, and antipsychotic drugs.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

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