5 Main Depression Causes and What to Do About It

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 5 to 12 out of every hundred people in America will suffer from a major incident of depression in any given year.

Major depressive episodes can be an overpowering experience. Roughly 20% of Americans will undergo a mood disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. Statistics like this suggest that quite a few people you are acquainted with are suffering from depression, probably silently.

The Causes of Depression

Whenever such a huge number of people are affected it begs the question as to cause. Researchers have been looking into this question for a long time. Though various general ideas have been suggested, it is quite complicated and can vary, depending on the individual living with the depression.

Varieties of Depression

From the start, we should take a moment to define our terms.

The term “depression” this can refer to a number of things. Major Depressive Disorder is the signature depression diagnosis. However, under its classification, there are 14 different codes (or specific diagnoses) used by psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists describe various facets of depression. For example, the severity of the disorder, whether it is cyclical, and the presence of psychotic symptoms. Common to all of these is the instance of a major depressive episode for up to two weeks, which includes lack of motivation or a depressed mood.

Dysthymia, another type of depression, is less intense, possibly lasting for years without going away. Though not necessarily as intense in any given moment, its chronic nature can be utterly exhausting those who experience it.

Yet another diagnosis is that of adjustment disorder with depression. This occurs when a person has experienced something stressful or upsetting in their life and as a result, they have slipped into depression. Prolonged episodes can turn into a major depressive episode.

Finally, there is bipolar depression. This type of depression is when a person switches back and forth from a depressed low to a high. The high may feel great, but it could lead to destructive behavior over time.

While there are many different ways to describe depression, the common factor sadness and lack of motivation stretched across an extended period. Depression is not one simple diagnosis with a single solution.

The cause of major depressive disorder may be harder to pinpoint or may even seem non-existent. The feeling can be strong with no specific reason to blame. This suggests a high probability that the depression is caused by the chemistry in your brain. In these situations, referral to a psychiatrist can be of help.

Possible Depression Causes

1. Neurotransmitters

There used to be a commercial for an antidepressant with a little black and white bouncing blob with a frown on its face. Even though oversimplified, this portrayal of depression did a good job of showing what is happening with the brain’s neurotransmitters. The commercial portrayed it as little triangles floating between two knobs connected to larger neurons. The commercial was attempting to show an imbalance of chemicals between two neurons which in turn can alter our mood.

Sort of like a computer, neurons are cells in the brain and body that are responsible to communicate information. Neurons will either fire, or they don’t in an on-or-off signal that happens millions of times, enabling emotions, memories, thoughts, and control of parts of our bodies (consciously or unconsciously).

Our mood will tend to improve with an abundance of the neurotransmitter serotonin, while other neurotransmitters, like dopamine, behave in a similar way. The purpose of anti-depressants is to balance out these neurotransmitters.

Unfortunately, this is no simple task. Because individuals vary widely, and the brain so incredibly complicated, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all medication, so discovering the correct medication takes time and can become a very frustrating process.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process, like increasing exercise and improving your diet. If you are able to muster up enough motivation during a depressive episode, get up and try being more active. It can help improve your mood and create a positive ripple effect.

2. Genes

Marginally related to the first offender, our genetics can have a huge effect on depression. Having a close relative that has depression, such as a parent or sibling, indicates that you are more likely to suffer from it as well. Some people are just genetically prone to the development of depression.

When the genes related to depression are passed on, it affects how your brain is developing and interacting with your neurotransmitters. However, genes should not be thought of as an infallible indicator. Identical are most likely to share depression, there is not a 100% correlation.

A person could develop depression in the complete absence of any family history of it. Genetics can, therefore, indicate an increased chance but cannot cause depression. They often work in combination with the next offender on the list.

3. Environment

Someone once said that if your genes load the gun, your environment pulls the trigger. Someone who is already genetically predisposed to depression is more likely to develop it, and most often some factor in their environment will bring it about. These factors could include the loss or death of a loved one, stress at work, or even a dark and gloomy environment.

Furthermore, there is a threshold past which almost anyone could become depressed. For example, continuous harassment or constant mourning could cause a person to become depressed for some length of time. There seems to be an individual level at which anyone will develop depression. This threshold is probably a result of genetics and nurture that will be different for each individual.

4. Anemia

Another possible reason for depression is anemia, which can be sneaky and not as easily understood. Anemia produces low energy, reducing motivation and causing a person to have negative feelings about themselves, which can mimic depression. In this situation, however, the problem is not with the brain’s neurotransmitters. The issue is a lack of iron in the blood to deliver oxygen to their organs.

Interpreting this physical condition psychologically often causes people to meet with a psychiatrist because they have all the marks of depression. However, antidepressants will not help in this situation. After attempting to find the proper medication for months or even years, people will often still experience the symptoms of depression. This can make them feel even more hopeless, making the depression even worse.

If you have experienced the symptoms of depression for a prolonged period, you may want to get a blood test in order to rule anemia out as the cause. Also, increasing your intake of iron-rich foods may help your mood improve.

5. Spirituality

It should be said at the outset of this section: depression is rarely the consequence of sin or immorality. Having depression is not a result of “not praying enough” or “not having a close enough relationship with God.” A great deal of harm has been perpetrated by simply dismissing depression as an indication that one’s spiritual life is weak.

There are many people with major sin issues that aren’t depressed. Conversely, there are many good, faithful individuals who feel sad, hopeless, and forlorn, but it would be wrong to draw the conclusion that God is unable to do his work in us and help us as we turn towards Him during our struggles.

We may get out of spiritual routines that have once given us fulfillment, such as volunteering with a church or in a community group. These connections often help us become less depressed and lift us up.

Depression can be the cause of our withdrawing our spiritual network, rather than our withdrawal causing the depression. For this reason, continuing in spiritual disciplines can help better your mood and sharpen your sense of worth as someone created in God’s image.

As mentioned before, things going on in our bodies can cause depression. Therefore, if we believe in the Great Physician, we can pray for the healing of our emotional health.

Treatment for Depression

Depression has so many forms, with numerous factors that contribute to its onset. Since the causes are so varied, the treatments will be, too. Research has shown that the best treatment for depression is a mix of medication and therapy.

If depression is like being stuck in a pit, then medication is like a rope that helps you climb out. You are still required to put in the effort of climbing, but the task is more attainable with a rope. For some people, the pit is shallower, and they can climb out without a rope. For others, the pit is deeper, and it would be impossible without a rope. These differences do not say anything about you as a person but are simply a matter of where you are.

Often, just by coming to therapy, you have made a huge step in your mental health recovery. A therapist can help you identify areas in your life you can work on. They can also help you uncover destructive semi-subconscious thoughts you’ve been telling yourself and help you challenge those.

Sometimes, simply acknowledging and analyzing your experiences with depression can help you get out of it. A referral to a psychiatrist might also help. They can work with you to find the right medication for you. Since depression has such a range of causes, working with a therapist will help you uncover what isn’t working for you. Then, they can get you on the path to overcoming your depression.