Depression stems from a mix of genetics, brain chemistry, stressful life events, personality traits, medical conditions, substance abuse, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, lack of social support, and medication side effects, often intertwined, with factors like trauma, isolation, chronic illness, family history, and self-criticism increasing risk.
Causes - Depression in adults
People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Considerable evidence links the “Big Five” personality traits (neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) with depression.
More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment. Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include: Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic.
Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression.
New evidence shows that people who maintain a range of healthy habits, from good sleep to physical activity to strong social connections, are significantly less likely to experience depression.
If you're depressed, you may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
You may have heard people say, for example, that they experience both anxiety and depression. Conditions – like anxiety disorders, ADHD, heart disease, chronic pain, or diabetes – may affect or be affected by both the physical and emotional effects of depression.
Current evidence suggests that depression is linked to traits such as neuroticism/negative emotionality, extraversion/positive emotionality, and conscientiousness.
A PET scan can compare brain activity during periods of depression (left) with normal brain activity (right). An increase of blue and green colors, along with decreased white and yellow areas, shows decreased brain activity due to depression.
Immediate hospitalization is essential for those who express suicidal ideation or have attempted self-harm. Severe Functional Impairment: Moreover, patients unable to care for themselves, including neglecting personal hygiene, nutrition, or medications, often require hospital-based treatment.
When depression goes unaddressed, you increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, untreated depression may result in memory issues and trouble making decisions. Research shows that untreated depression could also shorten your lifespan.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months. You'll likely have more than one episode in your lifetime. This is different from persistent depressive disorder, which is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years.
The studies vary, but Kristinsson says all show that patients with MDD have both structural and functional brain differences. “The amount of atrophy, or shrinkage, in the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex is related to the severity and length of the episode of depression.”
The theory that depression is caused by a serotonin abnormality or other chemical imbalance has become widely accepted by the public and is one prominent justification for the use of antidepressants. However, it has been increasingly questioned and there is little evidence it has empirical support.
Here are 10 things that are often mistaken for depression, starting with one we see all the time in trauma work.
How to cope with depression
If you think depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder are the mental illnesses most commonly linked to an early death, you're wrong. Eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating— are the most lethal mental health conditions, according to research in Current Psychiatry Reports.
Symptoms of depression include: Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time. Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun. Feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless.
What are the symptoms of the last stage of depression? Symptoms of major depression include: Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless. Losing interest in things and activities you once enjoyed.
While each person may experience symptoms differently, these are the most common symptoms of depression:
Some research shows that physical activity such as regular walking — not just formal exercise programs — may help mood improve. Physical activity and exercise are not the same thing, but both are good for your health. Physical activity is any activity that works your muscles and requires energy.
Taking time to look after yourself can help with how you feel day-to-day. This could include making sure you eat and drink regularly and take care of basic hygiene. Or trying to get enough sleep, and going outside each day for some fresh air.
3 foods to help with depression.