Causes of Depression in America

Depression is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 18.8 million American adults. Experts agree that there is no one cause of depression; some cases of depression can be traced to biological causes, some can be traced to external events, while others are triggered by a combination of both.

Biology

• If you have an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, you are at risk for depression.

Genetics

• If there is a history of mental illness in your family, especially if you have a parent who has been diagnosed with depression or another mental disorder, you are at high risk for depression.

Personality

• If you possess certain personality traits, you are more vulnerable to depression. These traits include unreasonable worry, over-dependence on others, negative thinking patterns, low self-esteem, fear of rejection, alienation from others and ineffective stress responses.

Life Events

• Particularly traumatic life events, such as death, divorce, job loss or relocation, can alter brain chemicals, triggering depression. This is equally true of a joyful event, like childbirth, if hormones levels are severely compromised.

Medications

• Some medications, if used long-term, can trigger depression or aggravate an existing depressive condition, including corticosteroids, sleeping pills, birth control pills, blood pressure medications and even antibiotics.

Medical Conditions

• If you have a physical disability or a chronic or serious illness, you are more vulnerable to developing depression.