Our knowledge of depression has grown significantly over the past 100 years, as have the therapeutic alternatives available to treat it. Researchers have discovered throughout the past century that there are typically several different contributing factors to depression. Instead, the emergence of a person’s melancholy mood is often influenced by a number of risk factors. Additionally, each person will have various risk factors. In the sections that follow, we’ll look in detail at the factors that contribute to depression and possible solutions.
Known Causes of Depression
The causes of depression can be broken down into 4 major categories. Within most of these categories, there will be an array of subcategories that may play into a given situation. The main causative categories are:
- Biological
- Genetics
- Environmental
- Social
- Medical illness
As we mentioned, each of these categories comes with its own set of risk factors. Let’s look at the different categories now.
Biological
These include diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and numerous other illnesses. In most circumstances, the longer a person must put up with the incapacitating symptoms of these illnesses, the higher the likelihood that they will experience depression undergo spravato treatment. In rare situations, drugs used to manage persistent pain or a persistent sickness may also contribute to the onset of depression. Before recommending a medicine, a doctor must consider its potential benefits in relation to this depressive possibility.
Genetics
Each individual is a synthesis of what their parents are or were. This genetic influence can be seen in a person’s eye color, tendency toward obesity, brain shape, and distribution of neurochemicals. Mood regulation is directly influenced by neurochemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Neurochemical imbalances are frequently inherited as well. A person’s likelihood of experiencing depression also increases significantly if they have a parent who is predisposed to it. Although it is true that there is no assurance that depression will be inherited. Numerous genes control mood in this relatively complex process.
Environmental
A person’s upbringing and current environment have a big impact on their attitude on life. Furthermore, stressful situations alter the brain and decrease crucial substances like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which can result in depression. Early loss and trauma might leave people vulnerable to depression later in life and have long-lasting emotional effects.
Social
This category and the environmental category frequently have some overlap. However, the majority of professionals regard it as a separate group all by itself. One’s capacity for managing stress is one of the social elements. As people age, their genetic composition, which affects how sensitive they are to stressful life events, can have a significant impact on how they interact with others. However, there are other social factors that can influence depression risk as well. Social class is another. According to studies, women with children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to experience this than women with children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Another social risk factor for is low or absent self-esteem.
Medical Illness
Thyroid issues, heart problems, some neurological conditions, vitamin deficiencies, sleep apnea, and certain autoimmune diseases.
As you can see, there are many different possibilities. Or, more frequently, a number of risk factors combine to make treatment resistant depression a possibility. The key point is that there are typically multiple reasons rather than just one.
Symptoms
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Many depressed individuals typically experience symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily activities including work, school, social interactions, or interpersonal relationships. Some people may experience widespread misery or unhappiness without truly understanding why.
Depression Symptoms in Children and Teens
Common signs and symptoms in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.
- Young children might manifest as melancholy, impatience, clinginess, concern, aches and pains, refusal to attend school, or underweight.
- Teens may experience symptoms such as sadness, irritability, feeling down and unworthy, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and overly sensitive, using alcohol or drugs recreationally, eating excessively, engaging in self-harm, losing interest in regular activities, and avoiding social interaction.
Depression Symptoms in Older Adults
Unfortunately, older people with depression frequently go undetected and untreated, and they may be hesitant to get assistance. Older people may experience various or less noticeable signs of, such as:
Unfortunately, it often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
- Memory difficulties or personality changes
- Physical aches or pain
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
- Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
- Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
