It is believed that a combination of three factors is to blame for depression: biological, genetic and environmental. Though any of these factors alone can bring on a depression, it will usually not lead to a so-called clinical depression, which is a severe depressive disorder that can completely disrupt a person’s life. For example, if a loved one dies (environmental), you will be incredibly sad and depressed for a determined time, but are able to do the basic tasks in life. Add to that a biological and genetic factor and you will fall into a hole so deep, that you will need help and most probably medication to get out of it.

The biological factor implies an imbalance or changes in the chemistry of the brain, such as changes in important hormones. This is why many pregnant women and young mothers develop postpartum depression. One hormone that is altered in depressed people is cortisol, a hormone that is produced in situations of anxiety, stress or fear. What researchers have not been able to pinpoint yet, is that if it’s the imbalance that causes the depression, or if the depression causes the chemical imbalance in the brain.

The genetic factor looks at the family history of depression. If one or both parents have had a history of depression, chances are greater that the child will develop it too at some point in its life.

The environmental factor, or emotional factor, is meant by any sort of emotional distress, be it the death of a loved one, isolation and loneliness or a nasty break-up or divorce. Some of the most common causes of depression in the emotional factor are:

- A childhood of physical or sexual abuse and growing up in a violent family environment. A traumatic experience in adulthood can also trigger depression, such as being in an abusive relationship or a victim of a violent encounter, such a being robbed or raped.

- Losing a job or going into financial distress.

- The loss of a loved one, through death, separation or divorce.

- Extreme social conditions, such as homelessness or extreme poverty.

- A childhood or relationship that has made the individual believe that he or she is a failure and is not worth anything.

The modern way of living takes much out of us. Most of us work full-time and try to balance this with family life. Too much work and the stress that it brings with it, an unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, exercise and FUN definitely can cause a depression in time.

Other factors that can set off depression are the side effects of certain medication and substance abuse. With alcoholism or drug abuse, the question again is if people succumb to these addictions due to a depression or if the substance abuse brings on depressions.

A physical injury caused by an accident or long - term diseases such as cancer debilitate and hold a person back from living an active life.

Then of course there is the pessimist by nature, who will constantly see the negative in most things. He or she will be much more susceptible to fall into depression.

Any one of these factors can cause depression, but it will usually pass within a short time. If it persists over a longer time, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Depression