Depression Diaries

Franz Lewin Embudo

FACTS: Causes of Depression

Depression effects people of both genders, all ages, and any background. Depression causes changes in behavior, thinking and especially changes in ones everyday life.

“Depression amongst teens generally starts when a child hits puberty, but could possibly begin the day they were born if chemically imbalance (heredity).” Dr. David Kalkstein, psychiatrist at Penn Foundation.

In recent years, theorists have argued that many depressed individuals depend upon others for their self-esteem, and that the loss of one of these emotional supports often precipitates a depressive reaction. A number of psychologists contend instead that depression is a result of learned helplessness, which occurs when a person determines through experience that his actions are useless in making positive changes. Other theorists have shown that genetic factors play a role in depression.

The causes of depression are not entirely understood, but are thought to be multi-factorial. Studies indicate that depression is, at least in part, an inherited condition involving abnormalities in neurotransmitter functioning. Although inheritance is an important factor in major depression, it does not account for all cases of depression, implying that environmental factors may either play an important causal role or exacerbate underlying genetic vulnerabilities.

Research indicates that depression is, at least in part, inherited. Thus far, however, no studies have isolated the specific genes responsible for depression.

It has been widely documented that women suffer from major depression about twice as often as men. Because the incidence of depressive disorders peaks during women’s reproductive years, it is believed that hormonal risk factors may be to blame. Women are especially prone to depressive disorders during times when their hormones are in flux, such as around the time of their menstrual period, childbirth and perimenopause. In addition, a woman’s depression risk declines after she goes through menopause.

Stressful life events, which overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, may be a cause of depression. Scientists have theorized that the high levels of the hormone cortisol, which are secreted during periods of stress, may somehow induce depression by affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin.

As you always hear people say, “It’ll make the world a better place.” The sooner that these teens and children are helped the better. “In this century each generation has experienced major depressions at earlier ages, and the next generations have even higher risks.”