Do you sometimes feel very sad, lonely, and not want to do anything? You may be wondering, 'Why is this happening to me?' This is what we medically call depression, or as many people know it, 'Depression'. This is a very complex condition. It is impossible to say exactly what is the cause of this. The reasons why depression occurs in each person can be different. In this article, we will talk about the main factors that can affect this condition called depression.
What are the main causes of depression?
Depression is not a single illness. Rather, it is a combination of many factors, including our genes, brain biology, the environment we live in, and our overall health. For some people, depression can occur when they have a serious illness. For others, it can occur after a major life change, such as moving house or losing a loved one. In some families, it can even run in families.
Simply put, here are some factors that increase the risk of depression.
| Cause/factor | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Being persecuted | Experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood or later in life increases the risk of developing depression in the future. |
| Age | Older people are at higher risk of developing depression, especially due to factors such as living alone and lack of social connections. |
| Some medications | Some medications, such as Isotretinoin , an acne medication, Interferon-alpha, an antiviral medication, and Corticosteroids, can cause depression. |
| Frequent conflicts | Frequent arguments and conflicts with family or friends can also biologically predispose the body to depression. |
| Death or separation of a loved one | Although grief is natural when someone close to you dies, it also increases the risk of depression. |
| Femininity/masculinity | Women are about twice as likely to develop depression as men. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be related to hormonal changes that occur at different times in a woman's life. |
| Heredity (Genes) | If someone in the family has had depression, others are at slightly higher risk. This is not a single gene, but a combination of several genes. |
| Big events in life | Even good things like starting a new job, getting a degree, or getting married can sometimes lead to depression. So can losing a job, divorce, or retirement. |
| Drugs and alcohol | About 30% of people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol also have depression. While these may provide temporary relief, they ultimately make the depression worse. |
The relationship between depression and our brain function
This is a very important point. Researchers have found that the brain of someone with depression works a little differently than the brain of someone without the condition.
For example, there is a small part of the brain called the hippocampus that is very important for storing our memories. This hippocampus has been found to be smaller in size in some people with depression than in the general population.
As the hippocampus shrinks, it also loses the number of receptors for a chemical called serotonin . Serotonin is a chemical messenger that carries messages between brain cells. More specifically, it is a neurotransmitter that helps us communicate through the circuits that control our emotions.
Scientists still don't know exactly why the hippocampus shrinks. However, some research suggests that people with depression produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol . This cortisol hormone negatively affects the hippocampus, causing it to 'shrink'.
But fear not. The good news is that treatments for depression, especially medications, have been found to nourish the brain's nerve cells, strengthening them and helping them to withstand stress.
The relationship between chronic illness and depression
For some people, depression can occur with a long-term illness. Because suffering from an illness every day, and taking medication for it, is a great stress in life. Depression is often seen with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Below are some long-term conditions that may be associated with depression.
| Conditions that may be associated with depression | |
|---|---|
| - Diabetes | - Heart disease |
| - Arthritis | - Kidney disease |
| - HIV and AIDS | - Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis |
| - Cancer | - Stroke |
| - Parkinson's disease | - Decreased thyroid function (Hypothyroidism) |
The best thing is that when depression is properly treated, it also helps greatly in managing other co-morbidities.
Don't confuse grief and depression.
This is something that many people confuse. Grief is a very normal and natural response to the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a divorce. But it is not depression. There are clear differences between the two.
- Grief: While you may feel sad, you may also remember fond memories of the person you lost. Grief comes and goes in waves. Your self-esteem is usually not affected.
- Depression: Your mood is always negative . Happy memories don't come to mind. Feelings like "I'm worthless" and self-hatred arise.
However, an event like the loss of a loved one can trigger a depressive episode. This is especially true if you have a history of mental health problems.
The most important thing is, if you have these symptoms, don't ignore them, thinking, "This is just sadness." Don't suffer alone. This can happen to anyone. There are very effective treatments for this. The best thing to do is to talk to your trusted doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Depression is not a weakness or a symptom. It is a real, treatable medical condition related to chemical changes in the brain.
- There is no single cause for this. Depression is caused by a combination of many factors, including genes, biological factors, life events, and environment .
- Certain medications, long-term illnesses, and chronic pain can lead to depression.
- Grief and depression are two different things. But unbearable grief can turn into depression.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, please don't suffer alone. It's important to see a doctor and get advice . With proper treatment, you can live a good life again.
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