We don’t know exactly what causes depression. However, we do know there are a number of things linked to its development.
Depression usually develops because of a combination of life events, personal factors and changes in the brain. It doesn’t usually develop because of one issue or event.
Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality. Risk factors include:
tendency to worry a lot
low self-esteem
perfectionism
sensitivity to personal criticism
self-criticism and negativity.
Research suggests that continuing difficulties are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses. This can include:
prolonged work stress or burnout.
Recent events (such as losing your job) or a combination of events can ‘trigger' depression if you’re already at risk because of previous bad experiences or personal factors.
A lot of research has been done into this complex area, but there’s still a lot we don’t know.
Depression isn’t simply the result of a ‘chemical imbalance’, like having too much or not enough of a particular brain chemical.
The way your brain regulates your moods can be affected by:
Most modern antidepressants affect your brain’s chemical transmitters (serotonin and noradrenaline), which relay messages between brain cells. This is thought to be how medications work for more severe depression.
Psychological treatment can also help you to regulate your moods.
Effective treatment can stimulate the growth of new nerve cells in circuits that regulate your mood. This may help you recover from severe depression.
Learn more: Treatments for depression.
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