Though the exact cause of depression hasn't been determined, we do know that women experience it twice as often as men. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person - but there are common indicators of depressed feelings. Different causes require different treatments for depression. For instance, if you're depressed or have defeated feelings because of unexpressed anger, you may benefit from counseling. If your brain chemicals are wonky (a common cause of depression) then antidepressants as treatments may be helpful.
There are three main theories that seem to explain the causes of depression or the "common cold" of psychiatry (dubbed as such by Martin Seligman).
Depression can be a reaction to a loss in your life. Death, divorce, separation are hard blows – and they can definitely cause depression. Other emotional losses can be just as traumatic: loss of hope, self-identity, faith, innocence. You can lose sight of your self-worth or self-esteem and spiral into depression. You can lose sight of your dreams, which can cause depression.
"Depression is anger turned inward." Causes of depression include unexpressed anger or rage. An example of this is the perennial nice guy who never has a negative comment, who never expresses his anger no matter how bad the situation is. Being easy-going is one thing; swallowing your rage is another. Not expressing yourself can cause depression.
Noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine are brain chemicals that are abnormally low in depressed people. These chemicals are involved in the transition of nerve impulses in the brain – they're also known as monoamines. So, regardless of how wonderful your life is, you could struggle with depression simply because of your brain chemicals – or lack thereof. Unstable or low brain chemicals can cause depression.
Drug or alcohol abuse and hormonal disorders have also been cited as causes of depression.
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