Though the exact cause of depression hasn't been determined, psychologists know that women experience it twice as often as men. The signs of depression vary from person to person - but there are common indicators of depressed feelings.
Different causes of severe and mild depression require different treatments for depression. For instance, if you're depressed or feel anxious or sad because of unexpressed anger, then you may benefit from psychological counseling. If your brain chemicals or hormones are unbalanced (a common cause of depression), then antidepressants may be more effective.
There are three main theories that attempt to explain why people get depressed (depression is the "common cold" of psychiatry, according to psychologist Martin Seligman).
Difficult Losses in Life
Depression can be a reaction to a loss in your life. Death, divorce, separation are hard blows and can trigger 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.
Unexpressed Anger
Some psychologists say depression is anger turned inward, so a possible cause of depression is 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 anger is another. Not expressing yourself can cause depression.
Unbalanced Hormones or 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 Causes of 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 him or 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 psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in severe or mild depression is often helpful.
Sometimes people 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 severe 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.
If you found Possible Causes of Mild or Severe Depression helpful, you might be interested in:
- Questions to Ask Before Taking Antidepressants
- Postpartum Depression
- Signs and Treatments of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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