Causes of Depression

The symptoms herein presented in this website are intended to serve as an overview and not as criteria for making a diagnosis.

What causes Depression? That's a good question. Actually there are many things that can cause depression. A lot

of it depends on the type of depression the person has. Some researchers feel that severe depressions are caused by a physical defect in the body, such as a biochemical imbalance in the brain or other factors.

Other things that have been linked to depression have to do with a person's lifestyle. Things such as; food allergies, prescription drugs, caffeine, alcohol, illicit drugs and even tobacco. If a person has some sort of health problem such as; cancer, aids, hepatitis, diabetes, hypoglycemia, chronic pain, hormonal (glandular) disorders such as those of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands; malignancies, anemias or other blood problems, or even somethings like nutritional deficiencies, heredity and bad childhood experiences can cause depression.

So basically, the causes of depression can be as unique as the person experiencing it, but in most cases, depression seems to be triggered by one of two things; A tragic event in one's life or a biochemical imbalance of the brain messenger hormones. At the same time, in some cases no exact reason can be identified.

Some people argue that depression is a result from faulty thinking and that the mind creates the imbalance and can thereby rectify it. They believe that the mind needs correction by "talk therapy." Research has shown that there is sound evidence that many people have been relieved even of major depression by having their thinking adjusted by trained counselors. This would indicate that in some types of depression the thinking of the person or what he feeds his mind on, not some physical defect, plays the vital role.

It is true, and research has proven that the way we think can affect our brain chemisty. How we respond to things such as; love, anger, hatred, jealousy and other negative emotions have been found to produce biochemical changes in the body. If we're dealing with marital problems, stress from our jobs or families, money problems, loneliness, hopelessness and living without love can all bring about depression.

Also, if a person feeds his mind on depressing thoughts through television, motion pictures or even pornographic literature, these things can color his moods and bring about depression. Especially if the person spends a great deal of time involved in these activities.