Causes of depression
Another factor owing to the complexity of diagnosing and treating depression is the broad range of possible causes that can trigger this disorder. According to Mental Health America, there are many things that can contribute to clinical depression, which I’ve reproduced below:
Biological
Chemical imbalance of certain brain chemicals (i.e. neurotransmitters)
Cognitive
Negative thinking patterns and low self-esteem
Gender
Due to hormonal changes (i.e. menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause) and stress.
Co-occurrence
Depression can occur along with certain illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and so forth.
Medications
Side effects of some medications can bring about depression
Genetic
A family history of clinical depression increases the risk for developing the illness.
Situational
Difficult life events, including divorce, financial problems or the death of a loved one can contribute to clinical depression.
No apparent reason
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There are many possible causes of depression. The deterioration of one’s mental state could be the result of a single cause or a combination of those above. For medical professionals, finding the root cause or causes of a depressive episode can be in the words of my therapist, like “trying to find a needle in a haystack”.