Have you ever felt sad, lonely, or empty for no reason? Are you bored with everything and have lost interest in the things you used to enjoy? This is what we often call depression, or Major Depressive Disorder . Many people think that this is just a feeling of weakness and boredom. But in reality, that is wrong. Depression is a medical condition that can affect anyone and requires medical treatment. So today, let's talk about what really causes this condition called depression.
What are the main causes of depression?
Depression is like a puzzle with many facets. We can't say that it occurs due to just one reason. Usually, this condition is caused by a combination of several reasons. Let's look at what those main reasons are.
| Cause | How does it affect? |
|---|---|
| Genes | If someone in your family, especially a parent or sibling, has had depression, you are at slightly higher risk of developing it, but that doesn't mean you will definitely develop it. |
| Traumatic events in life | Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood or at some point in life can lead to depression later in life. Likewise, severe grief caused by things like the death of a loved one, a breakup, or the loss of a job can also lead to depression. |
| Big changes in life | Think about it, even good things like starting a new job, getting married, or moving house can sometimes cause a lot of stress. This stress can lead to depression for some people. |
| Other illnesses (Serious illnesses) | People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and hypothyroidism are at increased risk of developing depression. The discomfort and pain of living with the illness contribute to this. |
| Some medications taken | Depression can be a side effect of some medications. Let's talk about this in more detail. |
| Drug and alcohol use | About 30% of people who use drugs or alcohol have depression. While some people turn to these drugs to relieve their pain, they actually make their depression worse. |
| Gender | Women are about twice as likely to develop depression as men. Although the exact cause is not known, it is believed to be influenced by hormonal changes that occur throughout a woman's life. |
What is the relationship between depression and our brain?
Scientists have found that the brain of someone with depression shows some differences compared to the brain of a healthy person. This is something very important.
Simply put, our brain controls things like emotions, happiness, sleep, and memory through chemicals called neurotransmitters . Like electrical messages. One of the most important of these is serotonin .
It has been found that people with depression have an imbalance in the activity of chemicals like serotonin. Also,
- The hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps store memories, has been found to be smaller than normal in some depressed patients.
- There is also a theory that cortisol , a hormone produced in our bodies when we are stressed, can damage brain cells if it remains at high levels for a long time.
But this doesn't mean there's something wrong with your brain. It's a chemical imbalance. It's like a change in the hormone insulin in diabetes. That's why antidepressants help to rebalance these chemical levels.
Can certain medications and illnesses cause depression?
Yes, that's true. Sometimes depression can also be caused by medications we take for other medical conditions or long-term illnesses.
Types of drugs that can cause depression
Below are some of the classes of medications that can increase your risk of developing depression. But if you are taking one of these medications, don't panic. Not everyone will experience this. If you have symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor about it. Never stop taking your medication without medical advice!
| Drug Category | Used For |
|---|---|
| Beta-blockers | High blood pressure, heart disease |
| Corticosteroids | Allergies, asthma, skin diseases |
| Benzodiazepines | Anxiety, insomnia |
| Isotretinoin | For severe acne |
| Opioids | For severe pain (e.g. Morphine) |
Chronic Illnesses Associated with Depression
Living with a long-term illness can be both physically and mentally challenging, which is why people with these illnesses are at higher risk of developing depression.
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
Are Grief and Depression the same thing?
This is something that confuses many people. It's completely normal to feel sad when we lose a loved one or lose a job. We call it grief . But depression is a different, long-term condition.
Let's see what the main differences are between the two.
| Characteristic | In Grief | In Depression |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings | Sad feelings come and go. In the meantime, you can also be happy with good memories. | A feeling of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness persists for most of the day, for weeks. |
| Self-esteem | Self-esteem is usually not affected. | Feelings of worthlessness arise, feeling that they are useless and a burden to others. They blame themselves. |
The important thing is that sometimes severe grief can lead to depression. If your sadness doesn't go away over time, but rather gets worse, and it's affecting your daily life, it could be a sign of depression. It's important to seek medical advice in such cases.
Take-Home Message
- Depression is a complex condition. There is no single cause. Many factors can come together to influence it, including genes, brain chemistry changes, life events, and other medical conditions.
- This is not laziness or weakness of mind. This is a medically explainable disease that requires treatment.
- Depression can also be caused by certain medications you take or long-term medical conditions you have. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Grief and depression are two different things. But intense grief can lead to depression.
- Most importantly, if you or someone you know has these symptoms, don't suffer alone and seek help. Please see a qualified doctor or psychiatrist. With proper treatment and counseling, you can fully control this condition, recover, and live a happy life.
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