What Are the Causes and Psychology of Depression?

The National Institute of Mental Health defines depression as a serious medical illness that can occur as mild forms of a low mood or deeper and more pervasive periods of sadness, with low motivation and a sense of hopelessness. According to the NIMH, there is no one specific cause of depression, and there are various psycho-therapeutic, medical and holistic forms of treatment.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Depression

• The NIMH suggests that depression occurs in a wide variety of clinical forms, including dysthymic or mild depression, major depressive disorder, seasonal depression, psychotic depression and postpartum depression. The symptoms of these forms of depression vary according to the severity and onset of the condition, with dysthymia being more mild and major depression marked by serious disturbances in mood, sleep and eating habits. A patient with a major depressive disorder may have disruptions in daily functioning and an inability or lack of desire to complete normal activities and tasks.

  Depression can be diagnosed by a qualified mental health or medical professional and is determined by the presence of low mood, persistent sadness, loss of motivation, hopelessness, restlessness, anxiety and even thoughts of self-harm. The NIMH offers resources for self-assessment of depression as well as detailed overviews of the assessment tools used by mental health professionals (see References).

Common Causes of Depression

• The NIMH notes that depressive illnesses are the result of chemical imbalances in the areas of the brain that regulate mood. These chemicals are often regulated by reproductive hormones, stress hormones, vitamins and nutritional factors. Changes in mood and depressive episodes can occur after periods of marked stress, such as a death in the family or a divorce. Postpartum depression can occur when major shifts occur in a woman's hormones following the birth of a child. Seasonal depression can occur when changes in sunlight affect the body's level of vitamin D.

Treatments for Depression

• The Mayo Clinic outlines various treatment methods for depression, including self-care techniques, psychotherapy, medications and even in some cases inpatient treatment. Many mental health professionals say a multifaceted treatment approach is most successful. Exercise, proper nutrition, one-to-one counseling and abstinence from drugs and alcohol are often used prior to more serious interventions such as medication or inpatient treatment. Most professionals agree that treatment medication should be accompanied by individual or group psychotherapy. The length of the treatment varies according to the cause and severity of the depressive episode or condition.