Severe Depression Causes and Risk Factors
Scientific research has shown that severe depression is a biological illness, though most medical professionals also recognize the profound impact of environmental risk factors. Altogether, Depression is a complex, multi-faceted disorder that’s influenced by both biology and environment.
What Causes Depression?
Researchers are not entirely certain of all of the causes of depression. In most cases, a variety of causes appear to be at work, rather than a single factor. The Stress-Vulnerability Model suggests that the more risk factors to which an individual is exposed, the greater will be their risk of clinical depression.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Alcohol and illicit drugs affect the chemistry of the brain and substantially increase the risk of depression. They can also become a destructive means of dealing with depression.
Chronic Illness
Long-term illnesses can be painful and debilitating, and can sometimes result in a loss of independence. Dealing with these factors can result in depression for some patients.
Genetic Factors
Depression tends to run in families. Genetic factors alone are not usually sufficient to cause depression. Usually there are other severe depression causes and risks involved as well, such as chronic illness or medication side effects.
Hormone Imbalances
In certain types of depression (such as postpartum depression), hormones are obvious risk factors. Depression may therefore be linked to hormone imbalances in some cases of severe depression as well. The influence of hormones may also help to explain why women, who are more susceptible to hormone fluctuations, are more likely to experience depression than men.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a symptom of depression, but in some cases it can also precipitate an episode of depression. It’s rare for insomnia alone to cause depression, but it is often seen in conjunction with other risk factors.
Isolation
Social isolation can provoke a deep sense of loneliness that can trigger depression. Individuals who are already depressed often want to be alone so they don’t have to feign happiness in public. This, however, can worsen the symptoms of depression, and sometimes, it is difficult to escape from this vicious cycle.
Medications
Everyone responds to pharmaceutical drugs differently. For some people, certain medications may be a risk factor for depression. Patients with depression tend to take multiple medications, and drug interactions can result in erratic behavior and side effects.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals (like B vitamins) can increase one’s risk of depression. Nutritional deficiencies may be caused by a number of factors, including:
- A poor diet
- Medications
- Stress.
Stressful Life Events
The stress of life experiences, whether they are current events (such as divorce) or past traumatic experiences (like sexual abuse), can significantly increase the risk of depression.
Conclusion: Risk Factors, Depression and Treatment
Identifying the causes of depression can help to determine the most effective course of treatment. For example, if stress is causing you to become depressed, learning some effective strategies to help you deal with stress in your life can help both to relieve your depression and to prevent stress from causing future depressive episodes. Speak to a healthcare professional if you are beginning to experience symptoms of depression.
Resources
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff. (n.d.) The causes of depression – current theories. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff website: www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/ Depressive_Illness/depressive_ill_causes.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Causes. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=causes.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Staff. (n.d.) Depression symptoms, causes and diagnosis. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website: www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/Depression/Depress ion_Symptoms,_Causes_and_Diagnosis.htm.
National Institute of Mental Illness Staff. (n.d.) What causes depression? Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the National Institute of Mental Illness website: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/what-causes-depression.shtml.
U.S. National Library of Medicine Staff. (n.d.) Depression. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Medline Plus Encyclopedia website: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003213.htm.