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What causes depression?

21 Answers
Last Updated: 04/06/2021 at 1:39pm
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United States
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Jennifer Fritz, LMSW, PhD

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Day to day life can be stressful and overwhelming and my strength is assisting my clients in a supportive, empowering and practical manner.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2015 4:56am
There are many causes of depression you can google it if you want but here's the three main reason: Biological, Psychological and Social
Anonymous
July 18th, 2016 10:17pm
Anything can cause depression, it can stem from traumatic experiences in childhood such as a loss or in later life. However, there isn't a checklist to say that you have to have experienced trauma, it may simply be that you feel disconnected and lonely or you've become physically ill and you find yourself unable to do everything you can usually do.
glowingFlute4899
April 6th, 2021 1:39pm
here's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. here's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. here's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.
Epikura
October 14th, 2019 11:27am
Depression is caused by different factors. There’s a genetical factor that might make you more likely to develop depression. Also there’s your past. Some experiences, or some things you have learned might also make you more vulnerable. For example, how you’ve learned to show or regulate emotions, or whether or not you’ve made the experience that you can rely on the people in your life to take care of you. But traumatic experiences can also be a factor that contributes to developing depression. The final factor is stress. Emotional stress, from relationships, or pressure from work or school can be make people who are already vulnerable, develop depression. So there’s a genetic factor, one factor including our surroundings and experiences and one that’s the momentary stress you’re experiencing. And the good thing about that is, that while it’s not possible to change genetics, it’s possible to learn techniques to handle stress, make new experiences and learn new things and also to support with antidepressants.
Allears247
June 12th, 2018 12:06pm
This question has baffled people for ages. Apparently, there doesn't necessarily have to be a direct cause. It could be from a life changing event or from a chemical imbalance.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2018 1:52am
The main cause of depression is due to a hormone imbalance in your brain but can be treated by seeing a therapist regularly or taking medication. There are many ways to seek help for your depression.
calmWinter55
June 12th, 2017 1:42pm
There are many causes of depression. They cannot be specified to one particular cause. What's important is that it can be overcome.
BubblyBee2015
May 22nd, 2017 3:15pm
There are so many possibilities. Right now they're working on the theory that depression can be caused by an overactive immune system. Obviously depression can be caused by something traumatic or heartbreaking, but it can also be caused by a general feeling of disappointment or feeling unappreciated. Depression can be caused by brain chemistry being out of whack... There are so many variables that play a part. Each case is different
Kafleenthedawnkey
March 20th, 2017 4:43am
Depression can be caused by both chemical imbalances and negative situations.Sometimes people can come out of it with cognitive therapy, other times medication is necessary. People cannot just "pull themselves up by their bootstraps."
Anonymous
November 21st, 2016 5:17pm
It has many causes. I get depression from news all around the world. Killing and blood and all.. I get depressed after long time socializing :D and also after boring routine and knowing the suffering of others makes me pretty depressed.
michelle2000
September 26th, 2016 2:44am
Depression is usually caused by genetics. If one of your parents or relatives has depression, the chances are pretty high that you will get it as well. Other times, depression has no cause.
Anonymous
September 13th, 2016 3:47pm
Chemically, depression is when your brain doesn't create enough seratonin, but depression can be caused by a lot of things. There are situational factors, environmental factors, chemical factors, and more. Depending on what your life is like in various situations, there are a lot of things that could contribute, which is why meds, which only treat the chemical imbalances, don't automatically "cure" depression. Hope this helps some!
blissfulPicture49
March 1st, 2016 5:58pm
There is no single cause of depression. You can develop it for different reasons and it has many different triggers. For some, an upsetting or stressful life event – such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries – can be the cause. Often, different causes combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after an illness and then experience a traumatic event, such as bereavement, which brings on depression. People often talk about a "downward spiral" of events that leads to depression. For example, if your relationship with your partner breaks down, you're likely to feel low, so you stop seeing friends and family and you may start drinking more. All of this can make you feel even worse and trigger depression. Some studies have also suggested you're more likely to get depression as you get older, and that it's more common if you live in difficult social and economic circumstances.
WhisperingBug
February 22nd, 2016 11:14pm
Many things can cause depression. Great changes in life, such as moving to another home, state, or country, or a break-up with a loved one can cause depression, but depression can also accumulate slowly over time through stress, tension, or even too much routine. I've learned not to judge people based on why they're depressed. It can happen through almost anything, the triggers can be more or less severe depending on personal viewpoints, and besides, what causes it doesn't mean that the person is less valuable because the triggering cause seems minor to some.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2016 4:45pm
Having a long stage of melancholy feelings/thoughts usually is the start of depression. There is a big difference between sadness and depression, and the way to tell them apart is discovered by the feelings you have. Major vs. minor tells you if you're just sad or actually depressed.
LadyUnderGrace
January 25th, 2016 7:28pm
Negative feelings, being around negative people, the loss of a loved one or friend. A chemical imbalance within the brain.
AngelicHeaven001
October 26th, 2015 5:00pm
Things that happen in life that drastically alter someone forever. Depression can be caused by alot of reasons.
cherishedJet13
August 18th, 2015 2:04pm
There are many different factors that can cause depression. One for example is genetics. Another is stress or bulling. If you have gone through a tragic event that leaves you scarred (mentally.) There are many other factors too.
resourcefulCupcake48
June 30th, 2015 11:55pm
Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain. It's an issue with the seretonin within your brain. Depression can be triggered by major life events such as: bereavement, abuse, divorce etc. however it can also come out of nowhere with little or no warning.
GypsyLight
June 29th, 2015 10:21am
Depression can be either situational or biological. There are several factors such as outaide influences and our own body chemistry.
XavierZimmermann
June 10th, 2015 5:00pm
A person's outlook also can influence depression. Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person? Do you get easily upset or do things roll off your back? The way that people think about (and react to) the events in their lives also can affect depression. As if that's not confusing enough, sometimes there's just no obvious reason why some people get depressed. But their depression can still be very real and upsetting. Depression is a health condition that needs treatment, just like asthma or diabetes.