Reasons for Depression

Symptoms of depression (also known as clinical depression, major depression or unipolar depression) include feelings of worthlessness, feeling tired all of the time and chronic pains. These feelings can come in cycles or last for a mostly permanent basis. Depression is not a character flaw but a real medical condition that can be treated. However, there are many types of depression that have different causes.

• Depression is a real medical condition

Genetics

• Depression seems to run in families. According to a study published in the September 2006 issue Journal of American Psychiatry, a person who has a close relative with depression has 2 to 1 odds that of also developing it.

Comorbidity

• Having another serious illness such as cancer, migraines, Parkinson's disease or epilepsy can also trigger depression symptoms. But the reason is still unclear, which is shown in studies like "Comorbidity of migraine and depression: Investigating potential etiology and prognosis" published in Neurology by N. Breslau, PhD; R. B. Lipton, MD; W. F. Stewart, PhD; L. R. Schultz, PhD; and K. M.A. Welch, MD.

Change

• According to Beating the Blues: New Approaches to Overcoming Dysthmia and Chronic Mild Depression by Michael Thase and Susan Lang, mild depression may be triggered by changes in a person's life, including illness, abuse, trauma and new medications.

Significance

• The biology of depression is still unknown, but the best theory is that when depressed the brain ignores the chemical messages given to it by neurotransmitters.

Factors

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, people get mild or major depression due to several factors happening together. These factors include genetic predisposition to depression, job loss, severe illness or pregnancy.