About Depression

Some people write depression off as a phase, something that accompanies a difficult time in someone’s life, and then fades away with time. Depression however, is a complicated illness. It is an illness that can be triggered by myriad reasons, a disease that varies in severity from individual to individual. While some sufferers may experience mild depression which has higher chances of being cured if detected and treated in time, other patients suffer from intense bouts of severe depression that haunts them for years on end. Depression patients experience extreme feelings of sadness, loneliness and melancholy.

The fact of the matter is that patients with depression do not have to live with these negative feelings. Depression can be cured! To cure any illness, it is important to know what caused it in the first place. So what causes depression? This article will examine the varied reasons for depression, which will also shed light on why some people fall prey to depression while others do not.

Causes of Depression

 Depression can be triggered by many factors. Of course, in some cases, the severity and duration of the factors can have a direct effect on the intensity of the illness. Let’s take a look at the numerous causes of depression. 

Medications and Drugs

Certain prescription medicines contain substances that can increase the risk of depression. Certain medications or drugs such as beta-blockers, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids such as codeine and morphine, corticosteroids, and anticholinergics have been linked to causing depression in patients. Individuals who have problems with substance abuse often also suffer from serious clinical depression.

Abuse

Individuals who have suffered from emotional, sexual or physical abuse in their childhood, or experienced it as prolonged and sustained abuse, are at a greater risk of suffering from depression.

Death of a Loved One

The loss of a loved one can take an immense emotional toll on the family and friends of the deceased. This overwhelming grief can tilt an individual towards prolonged sorrow and subsequent depression.

Conflict

Family fights, disputes among friends or personal conflicts can have a profound effect on an individual’s mental well-being, and can also be one of the causes of depression. Social conflicts such as being ostracized, bullied and ignored by a social unit can also trigger depression.

Family History

Genetics can also play a role in increasing the probability of depression. A family history of depression has been linked to the transferring of the illness from one generation to the next. The exact mechanism, and the specific genes involved are still unknown.

Change

Events of great significance such as starting a new job, having a baby or moving to a new city can also trigger depression. The aforementioned events are generally positive in nature, so it is not only negative events such as getting fired that increase the risk of depression.

Illness and Disease

Being diagnosed with a chronic disease or an incurable illness is a major cause of depression in patients. The depression may be caused by the medications being administered, or because of the nature of the illness and the emotional and physical pain that the patient has to endure.

Conclusion

Depression may be caused by any one, or a combination of the aforementioned factors. What is important to remember is that it can be alleviated and cured if detected and treated. Individuals who suffer from depression need help. If you do know someone who suffers from clinical depression, gain their trust and convince them that their feelings of constant sadness and loneliness can be cured.