Causes of Depression
We don’t yet fully understand what causes depression. But we know that many things can contribute to it. People with depression seem to have physical changes in their brains. But it’s difficult to know whether those changes cause the depression, or whether they're an effect of having it.
We know that chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters help transmit information and maintain our mood. Most drugs that treat depression work by affecting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain. We also know that changes in hormones can cause depression. Tthis is one of the things that happens when people get postpartum depression, or when depression occurs alongside thyroid problems. There also seems to be a genetic component. It seems that you’re more likely to experience depression if you’re related to somebody who has had it. And of course, difficult life events can trigger bouts of depression, as well.
In the end, we’re circling an answer, but it doesn’t look like depression has any one, simple cause. It looks like a lot of things in our biology set us up to be susceptible to getting depression, and then difficult points in life can trigger the actual episodes. But that answer isn't etched in stone yet. Life is a big weird mix of biological, emotional, genetic, and environmental influences, and it’s hard to reach into that constantly-shifting swamp and pull out an easy answer. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be on the lookout for circumstances that make depression more likely. And it doesn’t mean we can’t treat depression when it arises.
Image: Evan Dennis, via Unsplash.
Did you know...
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!