Depression, like most diseases, has no single cause. Research into the possible reasons people develop depression has revealed that a combination of factors, alone or in tandem, play a role.
These factors include genetic, biological, environmental and psychological influences that experts in the field, like Dr. Arthur Nezu, professor of psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, call the “biopsychosocial model” of disease. “The vast majority of theories talk about vulnerability, whether it is biological, psychosocial or genetic, and when those individuals go through a stressful event, that makes them susceptible to depression,” he says.
[See: Am I Just Sad — or Actually Depressed?]
The Mayo Clinic reports that several biological factors may cause physical changes to the brain and its biochemistry. The brain’s biochemistry includes chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that are linked to depression. Changes in how these chemicals function, specifically in their role modulating the circuits that control mood, have been associated with the disease and how it is treated.
Hormonal changes are also linked to depression. Hormones may become unbalanced for a variety of reasons, including pregnancy and giving birth, menopause, aging, medical conditions like thyroid problems and diabetes, medications and a host of other reasons.
Other diseases also increase the risk of developing depression. People with heart disease, cancer and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease may develop depression, whether from the diseases themselves or from the medications used to treat them, which may have side effects that cause depression symptoms.
And genetics certainly play a part, although the exact genes and their mechanisms for expressing the disease have yet to be determined. D epression seems to run in families and is more common in people whose first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) also have it. The American Psychiatric Association reports that if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of also having the illness at some point in his or her life.
[See: Coping With Depression At Work.]
The Triggers of Depression
Many experts believe that these preconditions — the “bio” in biopsychosocial — may be “triggered” by some kind of psychological or social stressful event to cause depression. The Mayo Clinic includes the following in that category:
— Personality characteristics like poor self-esteem, being overly dependent on others or easily overcome by stress, and being self-critical or pessimistic.
— Traumatic or stressful events, including physical, mental or sexual abuse; the death of a loved one; and relationship or financial problems.
— Being an LGBTQ person living in an unsupportive environment.
A common denominator here is stress. “Stress has a decided impact on the brain,” Nezu says. “It’s not just sexual or emotional abuse. It can be [a] stressful life, like a family that moves around a lot, and the child has to constantly make new friends and adapt to different environments.”
Newer research is discovering that lifestyle choices also play a part in depression. “One of the most interesting things to emerge recently is the role of diet,” says Dr. Drew Ramsey, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York. “Eating a Western diet makes a huge difference in depression risk. People who eat a lot of fast food have about a 60 to 80 percent increased risk, while those who eat a Mediterranean diet have a reduced risk of 40 to 50 percent.”
Raise Your Guard
Exercise is another lifestyle choice that influences both the development and prevention of mental illness. Indeed, staying physically active is one of the best ways to guard against depression.
[See: 11 Simple, Proven Ways to Optimize Your Mental Health.]
According to the American Psychological Association, exercise is a potent antidepressant both immediately and over the long term. It works for everyone, but is most effective in the most physically or psychologically unhealthy. Research also finds that the older you are, the greater impact exercise has on depression. “Trials of both exercise and antidepressants found that both Zoloft and exercise were effective in treating depression, but exercise is better because there are no negative side effects,” Ramsey says.
Other ways to prevent depression include getting enough sleep, eating a healthful diet, avoiding alcohol and drugs, staying socially active and sidestepping “toxic” relationships that inspire unhealthy behaviors. Mindfulness is a powerful tonic as well. “You get a big bang for your buck from learning how to calm yourself and breathe deeply,” Ramsey says.
The key to warding off depression is to follow a five-step plan to deal with your personal triggers, according to the American Psychiatric Association:
1. Be aware of your triggers and where you might encounter them.
2. Decide on healthy ways to deal with the negative emotions that come up after a triggering event. Having solutions prepared beforehand can reduce stress in the moment.
3. Review how you typically respond to your triggers.
4. Determine how you’d prefer to respond to your triggers.
5. Put your plan into practice.
It comes back to managing stress. “The average person takes the concept of stress very lightly,” Nezu says. “People say that everybody is under some stress, and that’s true, so it’s how you manage it. It’s about being more optimistic, flexible and having the attitude that life is filled with problems, but you can overcome them. Even if there is a genetic component, or you grew up in extreme poverty, how you deal with future problems is extremely important.”
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What Causes Depression? originally appeared on usnews.com
