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Depression

Causes of Depression

Doctors and researchers are not yet certain what causes depression. The causes of depression can include genetic or environmental factors, or can result from biology or medical conditions. Depression can happen in response to a traumatic event, or can happen for seemingly no reason whatsoever.

Thanks to depression screening, it is now accepted medical science that depression is a real medical condition that is likely associated with an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Of particular importance is the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Most researchers believe that this brain chemical plays a central role in understanding depression.

Many researchers believe that depression is caused by a combination of two or more factors, some of which include genetics, biology, environment and medical conditions.

Genetics

Research has long proven that depression can run in families. The question has always been whether this is due to genetics or to environment. It is now believed that genetics play a role in terms of a vulnerability to develop depression, as opposed to a particular gene. Importantly, what this proves is that those with a family member who has experienced depression may have an increased vulnerability to depression, but will not necessarily or inevitably develop depression.

A genetic component to depression is indicated by the statistics. Those individuals with a parent of sibling who has experienced a major depression can be 1.5-3 times as likely to develop depression than those without a family history. These numbers strongly indicate that a genetic component does play a role in the development of depression.

Biology

Some researchers believe that biology may play a role in causing depression. They point out that it is the brain that affects moods and feelings and that abnormalities in the brain, both in terms of structure and function, may be involved.

Of particular interest are the limbic system, brain chemicals, and hormones and the endocrine system.

1) The limbic system

The limbic system is an area of the brain that regulates such activities as physical and sexual drive, emotions, and stress response. The hypothalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus are all areas within the limbic system that could play a role. Of particular interest is the hypothalamus, which is the area responsible for a number of important functions, such as body temperature, appetite, sexual drive, sleep and stress. Biological abnormalities within the limbic system could be part of the puzzle about what causes depression.

2) Brain chemicals

Called neurotransmitters, many brain chemicals provide the delicate balance required for brain functioning. Of particular importance where depression is concerned are serotonin, norephinephrine and dopamine. These three neurotransmitters all operate within structures of the brain responsible for the regulation of emotions, reactions to stress, and the physical drives of appetite, sleep and sexuality.

The medications commonly used to treat depression today, such as the SSRI Zoloft, all alter the levels of one or more of these brain chemicals.

3) Hormones and the Endocrine System

The endocrine system operates in conjunction with the brain to control many activities within the body. The endocrine system is composed of small glands in the body that create hormones and release them into the blood. These hormones, when released, regulate processes such as stress reactions and sexual development. The endocrine system acts like a thermostat, providing feedback and the subsequent regulation of hormone levels throughout the body.

Abnormal functioning of the endocrine system may cause abnormal levels of hormones to be present in the body, potentially playing a role in the development of depression.

Environmental Factors

Environmental causes of depression are those that take place outside of the body, unlike genetics or biology. Many environmental factors may be linked to depression, including stress, trauma, childhood events, and grief.

Medical Conditions

It is believed that those individuals with chronic and/or very serious medical conditions may be at increased risk of developing depression. This is one reason why an intensive physical check up is carried out prior to making a diagnosis of depression.

Some illnesses that have been known to cause symptoms of depression include:

• Hypothyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hypoparathyroidism

• Hyperparathyroidism

• Epilepsy

• Diabetes

• Syphilis

• Pellagra

• Multiple sclerosis

• Stroke

• Brain trauma

• Porphyria

• Huntington's disease

• Parkinson's disease

• Some cancers

• Conditions requiring pain relief

Depression Screening

Depression screening typically begins with a written assessment that attempts to address mood. These screening tools typically focus on sleep patterns, eating patterns, and changes in energy and feelings of self-worth. This is only an initial screening tool used by professionals, after which time they assess these feelings more deeply through depression therapy. If the initial depression screening indicates depressive symptoms, a doctor or therapist will then move forward to work with the patient to assess effective treatment methods.

Although the exact causes of depression remain elusive, most researchers believe that the development of depression is usually the result of one or more of the above causes. Depression screening can be the first step in understanding depression causes and how best to treat them.

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