Depression
Cause
Depression is a disease. It isn't caused by personal weakness, and it isn't a character flaw. When you have depression, chemicals in your brain called Reference neurotransmitters Opens New Window are out of balance.
Most experts believe that a combination of family history (your genes) and stressful life events may cause depression.
- Genes: Your chance of having a bout of depression is greater if other family members have had depression. You may have inherited a trait that makes you more likely to get depressed. If this is true for you, a stressful life event is more likely to trigger depression.
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Life events: Stressful life events can trigger depression. For
example, you could become depressed if you have:
- Lost a loved one.
- Had a baby (Reference depression after childbirth Opens New Window).
- Recently divorced.
- Been diagnosed with a long-term disease such as diabetes or heart disease.
Sometimes even happy life events, such as a marriage or promotion, can trigger depression because of the stress that comes with change.
Just because you have a family member with depression or have stressful life events doesn't mean you'll get depression. You also may get depression without going through a stressful event.
Other causes
Health problems also can cause depression. For example, both Reference anemia Opens New Window and an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can lead to depression. Treating the health problem usually cures the depression.
Certain medicines, such as Reference steroids Opens New Window or Reference narcotics Opens New Window, can cause depression. If you stop using the medicine, the depression may go away.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference May 15, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
