Depression why

Life events Research suggests that continuing difficulties — long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged work stress — are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses. Personal factors Family history — Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk. Life circumstances and other personal factors are still likely to have an important influence.

Personality — Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality, particularly if they have a tendency to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.

Drug and alcohol use — Drug and alcohol use can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Over , Australians will experience depression and a substance use disorder at the same time, at some point in their lives. Other pages in This Section What is mental health? Anxiety and depression checklist K10 Depression What causes depression? Signs and symptoms Types of depression Treatments for depression Who can assist Other sources of support Anxiety Suicide prevention Supporting someone Pregnancy and early parenthood Grief and loss Unemployment and mental health Drugs, alcohol and mental health.

Raise any concerns about antidepressants with a doctor, including any intention to stop taking the medication. Here, learn more about antidepressants and how they can help. Find out more about the possible side effects of antidepressants here. The warnings should indicate that, among other risks, these medications may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.

Some people use natural remedies, such as herbal medicines, to treat mild-to-moderate depression. However, since the FDA do not monitor herbal remedies, manufacturers may not be truthful about the quality of these products.

They may not be safe or effective. Learn more here. Ginseng : Practitioners of traditional medicine may use this to improve mental clarity and reduce stress. Find out more here about ginseng. Chamomile : This contains flavonoids that may have an antidepressant effect.

For more information about chamomile, click here. Lavender : This may help reduce anxiety and insomnia. Learn more here about lavender. It is essential to speak to a doctor before using any type of herbal remedy or supplement to treat depression. Some herbs can interfere with the action of drugs or otherwise make symptoms worse. A person may take the herbs above as supplements to treat symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression. Other types of supplements may also help treat these symptoms.

It is important to remember that the FDA do not monitor supplements to ensure that they are effective or safe. S-adenosyl methionine SAMe : This is a synthetic form of a natural chemical in the body.

Some research has suggested that SAMe may be as helpful as the prescription antidepressants imipramine and escitalopram, but more investigation is necessary. Learn more about how herbs and supplements may help relieve depression. Eating a lot of sugary or processed foods can lead to various physical health problems.

Results of a study suggest that a diet that includes many of these types of food could affect the mental health of young adults. Can other foods worsen or improve depression symptoms? Find out here. Psychological, or talking, therapies for depression include CBT, interpersonal psychotherapy, and problem-solving treatment, among others. For some forms of depression, psychotherapy is usually the first-line treatment, while some people respond better to a combination of psychotherapy and medications.

CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy are the two main types of psychotherapy for depression. A person may have CBT in individual sessions with a therapist, in groups, over the telephone, or online.

Interpersonal therapy aims to help people identify:. Aerobic exercise raises endorphin levels and stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is linked with mood. This may help relieve mild depression. Brain stimulation therapies are another treatment option.

For example, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sends magnetic pulses to the brain, and this may help treat major depression. If depression does not respond to drug treatment, the person may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT. This may be effective if psychosis occurs with depression.

A person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. Also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years.

Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, and research shows that people with this disorder may have symptoms around half of the time. This can make bipolar disorder hard to distinguish from depression. What does bipolar disorder involve, and what types are there? Psychosis can involve delusions, such as false beliefs and a detachment from reality.

It can also involve hallucinations — sensing things that do not exist. Postpartum depression , or postnatal depression, is more severe.

All these things can help shape whether or not a person becomes depressed. Research shows that depression runs in families. Some people inherit genes that contribute to depression.

But not everyone who has a family member with depression will develop it too. And many people with no family history of depression still get depressed. So genes are one factor, but they aren't the only reason for depression. Chemicals called neurotransmitters pronounced: nur-oh-TRANZ-mit-urs help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Some neurotransmitters regulate mood. When a person is depressed, these neurotransmitters might be in low supply or not effective enough.

Genes and brain chemistry can be connected: Having the genes for depression may make a person more likely to have the neurotransmitter problem that is part of depression. Things like stress, using alcohol or drugs, and hormone changes also affect the brain's delicate chemistry and mood.

Some health conditions may cause depression-like symptoms. For example, hypothyroidism is known to cause a depressed mood in some people. Mono can drain a person's energy.

When health conditions are diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression-like symptoms usually disappear. Getting enough sleep and regular exercise often has a positive effect on neurotransmitter activity and mood. Daylight affects how the brain produces melatonin and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help regulate a person's sleep—wake cycles, energy, and mood.

When there is less daylight, the brain produces more melatonin. When there is more daylight, the brain makes more serotonin. Shorter days and longer hours of darkness in fall and winter may lead the body to have more melatonin and less serotonin.

This imbalance is what creates the conditions for depression in some people — a condition known as seasonal affective disorder SAD.