Causes of Depression

The exact cause of depression is still unknown. But there are factores found to be associated with depression.

HEREDITARY FACTOR:

Heredity has an uncertain role; as it is found more common among first degree relatives of depressed patients, the concordance between identical twins is high.

PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS:

People with a history child abuse and other major life stresses like separations and losses. People with anxious tendencies are more likely to develop depression as those people often lack the social skills to adjust to life pressures. Depression may also occur in people with other mental desorders.

Women are at higher risk as compared to men but still no theory explains why exactly, although they suggest differences in the neurotransmitter regulations, endocrine changes during menstruation and menopause.

NEUROCHEMICAL FACTORS:

There are theories that suggest changes in the neuronal transmitters (substances responsible for the transmission of nerve signals). Those neurotransmitters are cholenergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmitters, serotonergic neurotransmitters. Defects in the neuroendocrine system.

SEASONAL FACTOR:

Symptoms may develop in seasonal pattern, more during automn and winter. depression tend to occur more in climates with long or severe winter.

PHYSICAL DISORDERS:

Occur more with thyroid and adrenal gland disorders, benign and malignant brain tumors, stroke, AIDS, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Systemic lupus erythromatosis, Nutritional disorders like Pallegra and pernicious anemia, fibromyalgia and renal failure and hepatic failure.

DRUG FACTOR:

Corticosteroids, betablockers, antipsychotics and reserpine, alcohol abuse, amphetamines..etc.