What are the Causes of Depression? By Radhika Rao

Depression is an extremely debilitating condition which affects not only the direct sufferer, but also the people in his or her social network, family and work environment. There are many different kinds of depression and the causes vary. In broad terms, the causes of depression can be either exogenous or endogenous. Exogenous depression refers to a temporary state of crisis imputable to overwhelming circumstances which are beyond the sufferer's control and come from "outside". Major life events such as the loss of a loved one, loss of mobility through accident, the stress of war, etc. can all lead to a depression, but do not automatically do so: there must be a natural predisposition of a person who responds to such circumstances with a full-blown clinical depression.

This natural predisposition is much more marked in a persondiagnosed with what is referred to as "endogenous depression". Here, the trigger is internal and would appear to be an imbalance of brain chemistry. Depletion of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, - active substances on the transmitter sites of brain cells – or the receptor sites which take them up, are closely associated with depression. An excess of of norepinephrine is possibly causal in manic episodes, its lack leads to depressive cycles. In other words, the neurotransmitters are not able to do their work effectively, either through lack of raw material or because it is inefficiently absorbed, due to
malfunctioning or too few neurotransmitter sites. As such, treatment is usually pharmaceutical for this kind of depression, although cognitive therapies do try to redress the negative mind-sets associated with depressive people, on the assumption that "positive thinking" will help overcome
an innate tendency to think in a way which is counterproductive to the organism.

Under certain circumstances, almost any human being will suffer from depression. Prolonged lack of sleep, for example, is a triggering factor, as is living in darkness for long periods. Toxins or severe malnutrition can also tip the balance of brain chemistry into the downward spiral. Women are more likely to become depressed than men – about twice as likely, in fact. This may be due to a number of factors, including the influence of hormonal swings the excessive workload or sleeplessness imposed on many women and mothers. Men are perhaps more likely to mask their depression by reliance on alcohol and other stimulants, which do have an effect on dopamine levels of the brain.
Interestingly, bipolar depression is equally prevalent among men and women.

In practice, it is often a combination of nature and nurture, as is the case, for example, of post-natal depression. Here, a marked hormonal change coincides with an abrupt change of lifestyle and new set of demands. The problems are aggravated if for any reason the mother has to forego breastfeeding and so undergo another hormonal dip. This combined with sleep deprivation leads in about 15 % of births to a maternal post-natal depression.

Whatever the type of depression, it is clear that a viscous circle of inactivity is entered in the early stages, which only goes to deepen the gloomy state. The depressed individual becomes inactive and so is deprived of the possibility of encountering stimuli to help him out of the pathological state. Studies have been carried out to determine whether the lack of activity is derived from depression or is the cause of it, although a clear answer to this question seems difficult to obtain.

Extreme inactivity lowers the metabolic rate and further slows the production of endorphins, or "happy" hormones, which in an active person maintain the organism alert and ready to engage in the activities of life. The prevalent hormonal activity during depression frequently leads to anxiety and even panic attacks.

Depletion of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, - active substances on the transmitter sites of brain cells – or the receptor sites which take them up, are some of the causes of depression. An excess of of norepinephrine is possibly causal in manic episodes, its lack leads to depressive cycles.

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Radhika Rao is a freelance writer. Learn how you can use the Sedona Method to overcome depression and gain emotional wellness.