10 Causes of Depression
Depression is a horrible disease and one which we still have a great deal to learn about. It is one of the biggest killers of otherwise healthy young men and many women are also affected by it. It is often too easily dismissed as being just a phase or not serious, but dismissing it can lead to catastrophic consequences.
While we still have a great deal to learn about depression, we do know of some ways to help avoid it. These include generally taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. It is often brought on beyond our control, though, and we can sometimes seem hopeless in trying to deal with it.
Cause #1: Insufficient Sleep
Nobody is at their best when they have had no sleep the night before. It is likely to have a huge effect on our mood as well as our ability to perform our day to day chores. A lack of sleep can have a considerable detrimental effect on us in numerous ways, including making us more likely to suffer from depression.
Not only can a lack of sleep cause depression, but depression can also make it difficult to sleep. This can cause a loop that is difficult to get out of and the patient’s condition can worsen considerably as a result. If you do lack sleep due to not having the time, remember that your health and well-being should be the priority.
Cause #2: TV
We are often told as kids that we should not be spending too much time in front of the TV. For some reason, though, we tend not to follow such advice as adults and many people spend many hours a day glued to the box. The inactivity is not healthy for us and it can also cause other problems, such as depression.
Many experts feel that too much TV is a strong contributor to acute depression. Patients can get so emotionally involved with shows and movies that they can have a long-lasting effect on their mental health. In some cases, TV shows and movies can even make patients feel suicidal. Remember that TV is OK in itself, but it should be watched only in moderation and the borders between reality and fiction should not be crossed.
Cause #3: Poor Weather
Most of us like it when the summer arrives. For many people, it means being able to spend time taking part in activities outside in the sun. Poor weather, however, can mean dark skies and having to stay indoors for most of the time. It’s no wonder that we might be less happy about the weather when it is winter, and it can contribute to depression.
Sunlight is very important for our well-being and anybody that is made to stay inside all the time is likely to suffer. Fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months can affect people to the point of causing depression. In addition, the body will also undergo various other changes when the winter arrives.
Cause #4: Tough Decisions
We all have to make choices at some point in our lives. These can range from what to have for dinner, to potentially life-changing decisions such as a change in career. It can be difficult to choose at times and sometimes we will have to make a decision that will involve disappointing another person.
Some people find decision making more difficult than others, though. For some people, having to make decisions can even lead to depression. It could even be simple decisions that have little to no long-term impact, such as which dress to buy. Making even simple decisions can often be an overwhelming experience for some people.
Cause #5: Diet
In recent decades we have learned a great deal about how our diet affects our health. This means how it affects us physically and also mentally. A good, balanced diet helps us to be physically fit while also helps to ensure that we are in good shape mentally. We have also identified various foods containing ingredients that can help to prevent depression.
Omega 3 fatty acids are compounds that are commonly found in fish, particularly salmon. Studies have shown that these fatty acids can help to regulate compounds in our brains that can help prevent depression. In addition to eating plenty of salmon, a good diet overall will help you feel better physically and mentally.
Cause #6: Relationships
The people around us will have a considerable impact on our overall well-being. They can make us happy and they can make us sad, and they can get into every aspect of how we live our lives. Unfortunately, having the wrong kind of relationships can also contribute to depression.
Even a small disagreement can lay on somebody’s mind and contribute to them becoming depressed. Studies have shown that children that don’t have good relationships with their siblings and other family members are more likely to experience depression as adults. If you are experiencing depression for any reason, you should arrange to speak with a medical professional as soon as possible.
Cause #7: Smoking
The perils of smoking are well-known and recent years have seen a considerable decline in the number of smokers worldwide. Dangers include cancers and other problems in the lungs and elsewhere in the body. Smoking has contributed to the premature deaths of millions of people worldwide.
In addition to its dangerous physical effects, smoking can also have a direct impact on our mental well-being. Smoking can cause a dependence on nicotine, which is the drug that encourages people to smoke in the first place. Dependency on this drug can contribute to depression and attempted withdrawals can make matters even worse.
Cause #8: Thyroid Disease
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and plays a big part in how we are feeling. It releases hormones that help to regulate aspects such as metabolism and mood. Usually, the release of the hormones is balanced just right, but these balances can be thrown out in the case of certain illnesses.
Thyroid disease can lead to insufficient quantities of certain hormones being released from the thyroid gland. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including depression. If you do feel as though you might be suffering from a thyroid condition, you should arrange to see a doctor to get it checked out.
Cause #9: Brain Chemistry
How we feel depends largely on hormones and chemicals that react in certain ways with the brain. There are ‘happy’ chemicals such as dopamine that will make us feel good and a lack of these chemicals will make us feel down. Depression is caused by an imbalance of these chemicals in the brain.
Quite often, these balances are off for reasons that we don’t yet understand. At other times, they can be thrown out of balance by excessive use of substances like drugs and alcohol. In severe cases, medication is often used to try and restore some balance to these chemicals.
Cause #10: Serious Illnesses
We all fall ill from time to time. Even those of us with the most robust immune systems will occasionally be taken ill. Fortunately, though, an illness will usually cause only mild symptoms and only last for a few days or so. For some people, though, illnesses can have some very serious symptoms indeed. One potentially serious symptom of an illness is depression.
Some illnesses, in particular, are known for causing depression and it will often be included in treatment for that illness. With the patient already suffering in other ways from an illness, depression can be the final straw that really pushes them over the edge.
