PRANAAH

The causes of Depression

• The causes of depression are not fully understood and may not be down to a single source. Depression is likely to be due to a complex combination of factors that include : 

  • Genetics

  • biological – changes in neurotransmitter levels

  • environmental

  • psychological and social (psychosocial)

   

  Some people are at higher risk of depression than others; risk factors include:

  • Life events: These include bereavement, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical concerns, or acute stress.

  • Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies, or previous life trauma are more susceptible.

  • Genetic factors: Having a first-degree relatives with depression increases the risk.

  • Some prescription drugs : These include corticosteroids, some beta-blockers, interferon, and other prescription drugs.

  • Abuse of recreational drugs : Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression.

  • A past head injury.

  • Having had one episode of major depression : This increases the risk of a subsequent one.

  • Chronic pain syndromes : These and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease make depression more likely.

  • Traumatic experience or exposure : Tragic experience or exposure often imprints us with unpleasant and fearful memories which does not allow us to think rationally or practically. For example witnessing an accident, exposure to unpleasant sight, abuse.

  • Future uncertainty or negative anticipation : Excessive and stressing in a negative way about future like finance, security, stability, loneliness etc. may lead to depression

  • Childhood trauma : Childhood trauma has a significant impact in the overall shaping of cognitive and emotional makeup of a person, which later on become a major cause of mental health concerns and worries in adulthood.

  • Disturbed Sleeping and Eating Habits : Unhealthy sleeping and eating routine may make you prone towards the anxiety over a period of time.

  • Medical or medicine induced Depression : Chronic illness or serious health condition may lead to excessive worry in terms of finances, health risk, long term medical dependency, side-effects of medicines.

  • Work stress : Work life has become one of the major stress creating aspect of everyone’s life, it not only affects the working person but their family due to unavailability, lack of quality time. Prolonged work hours, demanding job, pressure and exhaustion can take an adverse toll on their life.

  • Bullying and Harassment : Bullying is prevalent in various organization be it school, college or workplace in different forms. Taking undue advantage, taking employees for granted, constant demotivation and negativity, inter and intra-politics becomes a reason for bullying and abuse in various forms. This may result in depression and restless tendencies in employees.