What causes Depression?

The precise cause is not known. It can be difficult to determine if an illness causes depression or depression caused the illness. Possible causes may be mental, physical, or environmental and include:

• Stressful life events (usually in combination with one or more of the following causes)
• Chronic stress
• Low self-esteem
• Imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones
• Lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness)
• Negative thought patterns and beliefs
• Chronic pain
• Heart disease and heart surgery
• Genetic predisposition
• Altered brain structure and function, including after a stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• Postpartum depression occurs after childbirth
• Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression or a worsening of symptoms thought to be due to the decreased exposure to sunlight that occurs during winter months
• Hypothyroidism
• Anemia
• Cancer
• Substance abuse

Brain

Chemical, hormonal, and physical changes in the brain may cause depression.

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.