What causes depression: causes and consequences

Depression is a severe and complex type of disorder. Scientists don't know exactly what causes depression because it can appear for various reasons. For example, in some people it develops against the background of a serious illness, while in others it is associated with major life changes, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, moving to a new place of residence, dismissal from work, etc. Also, some people have a family history of depression, when feelings of depression and loneliness arise for reasons that are not clear to them.

The main causes of depression

There are a number of factors that can become triggers for the development of depression. Let's take a look at the causes of depression today.

Violence. If a person has been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, this can lead to depression in the future.

Age. Older people are more prone to depression. The development of this type of disorder can also be affected by a constant feeling of loneliness and lack of social support in old age.

Medications. There are medications, such as isotretinoin, which is prescribed to treat acne, interferon-alpha, an antiviral agent, and corticosteroids, that significantly increase the risk of depression.

Conflicts. If a person often argues or conflicts with loved ones, friends, or work colleagues, this can lead to the onset of the disease.

Death or bereavement. If a person loses a family member, friend, or other close relative, he or she begins to grieve greatly, and this grief increases the risk of depression and anxiety.

Gender. Women are about 2 times more likely to be depressed than men. Scientists do not yet know the exact reasons for this fact. Perhaps they are due to hormonal changes that occur in women's bodies at different ages.

Genetics. The presence of close relatives who have suffered or are suffering from this type of disorder increases the risk of its occurrence in other family members. At its core, depression is a complex disease, so there are not one but several genes that affect and can lead to the development of the disease. Such genetic depression, like other mental disorders, is not as simple as other diseases that are inherited. For example, Huntington's chorea, hemophilia, or cystic fibrosis.

Important events. Sometimes even good changes in life, such as a new higher-paying job, a wedding, or entering a university, can cause depression. The same goes for sad events (divorce, death, dismissal, etc.). Therefore, clinical depression syndrome is not considered a “normal” reaction to various stressful situations in life.

Other problems in personal life. Social isolation due to mental health problems, irreconcilable conflicts within the person, or exclusion from the social circle can increase the risk of clinical depression.

Serious illnesses. Often, along with the diagnosis of a serious illness, depression appears.

Excessive use of psychotropic substances. About 30% of people who abuse psychotropic drugs suffer from severe or clinical depression. Although alcohol and drugs can improve the condition for a while, they will only aggravate the mental situation in the future.

Causes of depression and biological factors

Scientists believe that the brains of patients with clinical symptoms of depression are significantly different from those of healthy people. For example, the hippocampus, which is a small part of the brain responsible for memories, is probably much smaller in patients with depression than in people who do not have this disorder. The smaller hippocampus contains fewer receptors for serotonin, which is one of the brain chemicals called a neurotransmitter. Such substances are designed to provide neural connections that connect certain parts of the brain and are involved in processing emotions.

Experts do not yet know why the hippocampus becomes smaller in patients with depressive disorder. Some studies have shown that cortisol, a stress hormone, is produced in large quantities in people with depression, having a toxic or “shrinking” effect on the hippocampus. According to experts, people prone to depression may have a small hippocampus at birth. There are also a large number of other parts of the brain and neuronal communication pathways that are associated with depression. Most likely, there is no single brain system or pathway that can accurately explain the causes of severe depression. In some cases, depression can be accompanied by agoraphobia, i.e., a fear of open spaces or being in crowded places.

However, we can state the fact that depression is a complex disease with a large number of concomitant factors. The results of recent scans and studies of the structure and function of the cerebral cortex have shown that taking antidepressants can have a “neurotrophic effect.” That is, they are able to maintain the function of nerve cells, prevent their death, and create stronger neural connections that allow them to withstand various types of biological stress. When scientists are able to better understand the causes of depression, healthcare professionals will be able to make more accurate diagnoses and choose the most effective treatments.

Linking genetics to depression

We know that depression is often inherited. So the question arises, is it possible to be born with depression? There is at least a partial genetic link to this type of mental disorder. In a family where parents, brothers, sisters, and other close relatives have suffered from this illness, the risk of inheriting it increases several times. A large number of genes that interact with each other are likely to cause the development of different types of depression that are transmitted at the genetic level. Although there is evidence that genetic depression exists, it is unlikely that there is only one specific “depression gene”. Probably, there are many of them and each of them influences the development of the disease in interaction with external factors.

Most likely, the hereditary factor plays a big role in severe forms of depression. It is also of great importance whether a person is predisposed to this disease through the father's or mother's line of kinship. Scientists have concluded that women are more likely to inherit depression than men, and certain genetic risk factors differ by gender.

Medications that can cause depression

Some medications can cause depression in people. Among them:

• Anticholinergic drugs prescribed to relieve stomach cramps.
• Barbiturates.
• Benzodiazepines.
• Beta-blockers (blood pressure drugs).
• Corticosteroids.
• Gabapentin (anticonvulsant).
• Isotretinoin (acne treatment). Formerly known as Accutane, and now sold under the names Absorica, Amnocent, Claravis, Myorisan, and Zenatan.
• Opioids (codeine, morphine)
• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole.

If you take three or more drugs associated with depression, the risk of developing this disease increases significantly.

Depression and chronic diseases

Depression can be caused by various chronic illnesses that have been present for a long time and cannot be treated. However, such diseases can be controlled by lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, exercise, and medications.

Chronic diseases that can lead to depression:

• Diabetes mellitus.
• Heart disease.
• Arthritis.
• Kidney disease.
• HIV and AIDS.
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Hypothyroidism.
• Oncology.
• Epilepsy.
• Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
• Migraines and headaches.

Experts have noticed that treating depression can sometimes help improve the course of a chronic illness.

Depression and chronic pain

If pain persists for several weeks or months, it is considered “chronic”. Such pain can not only cause physical suffering, but also affect the quality of sleep, the ability to exercise, lead an active lifestyle, work, and maintain relationships with a partner. In addition, chronic pain can cause sadness, isolation from society, and depression.

Scientists do not know how chronic pain is related to depression, but they are constantly studying the structure of the brain, neurotransmitters, and the pathways between them. They want to find treatments to help fight depression caused by chronic pain.

A multidisciplinary medical program, psychotherapy, attending support groups, and other methods recommended by specialists can help relieve pain, manage depression, and improve quality of life.

Can depression be accompanied by feelings of grief?

Grief is a normal human reaction to various losses. These can include the death of a close relative or friend, loss of a job, a beloved pet, etc. Other major life events can also cause feelings of grief (divorce, retirement, moving to another city, losing your home, and other factors).

Severe depression can overlap with grief, but there are other factors as well:

• Waves of emotions and feelings. During grief, a person will experience periods of both intense sadness and positive memories. In severe depression, the mood is almost always bad.
• Self-esteem. Generally, grief does not affect self-esteem, but in severe depression, a person may sometimes feel worthless and hate themselves.

Loss can trigger bouts of severe depression. The risk of these attacks increases if a person has mental health problems or has recently experienced severe stress from other losses. Also, in severe depression, grief can become stronger and longer.

Conclusion

Depression is a complex and severe condition that has many causes. Scientists have found certain links between this disease and factors such as brain structure, genetics, medications, other diseases, and chronic pain. The presence of various traumas increases the risk of depression. Women and the elderly are also at risk. Grief is a natural reaction to loss that can cause severe depression, and as a result, the feeling of grief itself is longer and more intense.