Causes for Depression

Any unwelcome life change can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors are involved in the development of depressive disorders. A few examples of these are:

• A serious loss
• Chronic illness
• Relationship problems
• Work stress
• Family crisis
• Financial setback

Some types of depression seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser degree, severe major depression. Genetic factors influence the amounts of neurotransmitters which mediate emotions. Depression is caused by a deficit of specific neurotransmitters at brain synapses. Antidepressants increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. All depression involves some changes in brain chemistry, even when the cause is clearly a psychological trauma. After treatment and recovery from depression, the brain chemistry returns to normal.

Psychologists often describe social learning factors as being significant in the development of depression. People learn both adaptive and maladaptive ways of managing stress and responding to life problems within their family, educational, social, and work environments. These environmental factors influence psychological development and the way people try to resolve problems when they occur. Social learning factors also explain why psychological problems appear to occur more often in family members from generation to generation. If a child grows up in a pessimistic, discouraging, or abusive environment, that child will develop a vulnerability to depression. Having dysfunctional parents who create stress conditions in the family may influence an individual’s vulnerability to stress. Individuals from such families may fail to acquire adaptive skills and positive self-images, which in turn brings on more stress, which can trigger depression.

Some psychologists believe that low self esteem is the key to depressive reactions. Some people, especially people in depression, have a generally negative self-concept, perceiving themselves as inept, unworthy, and incompetent, regardless of reality. People with low self-esteem may have experienced much disapproval in the past from major caregivers. Their parents or significant others may have responded to them by punishing failures and not rewarding successes or by holding unrealistically high expectations or standards.