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What's Behind My Depression?
Approximately one in six adults in the United States will experience depression at some point in their lives. Understanding the factors that contribute to your risk of depression can empower you to seek support and treatment. Keep reading to explore the potential causes and risk factors of depression, and to learn when and how to seek assistance.
Brain Chemistry:
In your brain, there are neurotransmitters—chemicals that regulate how your body functions. When the levels of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, are either too high or too low, it can impact your mood.
For instance, dopamine plays a role in motivation and feelings of reward. A 2016 study found that disruptions in dopamine function can lead to symptoms of depression, like loss of interest and motivation. While the specific causes of this imbalance vary among individuals, researchers have highlighted stress and trauma as triggers for dopamine dysfunction.
The relationship between depression and serotonin is not yet fully understood. Serotonin helps regulate emotions that influence mood. While low serotonin levels may not directly cause depression, increasing serotonin levels has been found to be an effective treatment for depression.
As a result, healthcare professionals often prescribe medications that affect these brain chemicals, such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to treat depression.
Menstruation:
For individuals who menstruate, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can lead to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Some individuals with PMDD experience symptoms of depression, such as low mood, in the week or two leading up to their period.
PMDD can manifest in physical symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, cramps, and headaches. Those with depression are more prone to experiencing PMDD. Fluctuations in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle can disrupt serotonin levels, potentially contributing to depressive symptoms.
Healthcare providers may recommend various treatments for PMDD, including antidepressants, hormonal birth control, or therapy, to alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Pregnancy:
The emotional and physical demands, hormonal changes, and stress associated with pregnancy can contribute to perinatal depression. This condition may occur during pregnancy (known as prenatal depression) and after childbirth (referred to as postpartum depression).
Dealing with depression can make it difficult to care for yourself and your baby. Fortunately, treatment options such as medication, therapy, or a combination of both can often help alleviate symptoms and improve well-being (National Institute on Mental Health).
Seasonal Changes:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can occur during the fall and winter months, characterized by shorter days compared to spring and summer. Reduced sunlight exposure during this time may disrupt your circadian rhythm, which controls hormonal and other bodily functions associated with mood regulation.
Healthcare providers may recommend light therapy as a treatment for SAD. Some individuals with SAD may find that their depressive symptoms tend to improve during the spring and summer months when daylight hours are longer.
Thyroid Disorders:
If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, your healthcare provider may investigate the function of your thyroid. This butterfly-shaped gland in your neck produces hormones that play a crucial role in various bodily functions, including mood regulation. Research has established a correlation between hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient levels of thyroid hormones, and symptoms of depression.
Other indicators of an underactive thyroid include sensitivity to cold, dry hair or skin, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. In cases where hypothyroidism is identified as the underlying cause of depression symptoms, medications aimed at replacing thyroid hormones may effectively manage these symptoms.
Is Depression Hereditary?
There is a notable link between depression and genetics. Individuals with family members who have experienced depression are more susceptible to developing the condition themselves. Moreover, a family history of perinatal depression can heighten the risk of experiencing depression during or after pregnancy. Additionally, having experienced depression previously increases the likelihood of experiencing it later in life.
While some evidence indicates that certain genetic variants may predispose individuals to depression by influencing changes in brain chemistry associated with the condition, further research is needed to solidify this connection (Shadrina & Bondaren, 2022).
Who Gets Depression?
According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) collected among adults aged 18 and older in the United States, certain demographics are more prone to developing depression:
- Age: Depression rates are highest among individuals aged 18–25, with 18.6% affected.
- Ethnicity: People who identify with two or more ethnicities have a higher likelihood of experiencing depression. Interpersonal and structural racism contribute to inequities that elevate the risk of poor health outcomes among ethnic minority groups.
- Sex: NIMH reports that 10.3% of individuals assigned female at birth have depression, compared to 6.2% of individuals assigned male at birth.
Studies have revealed that ethnic minority groups are more likely to experience persistent and severe depression symptoms compared to White individuals. However, these groups are often underrepresented in data due to underdiagnosis. Moreover, ethnic minority groups may encounter barriers to accessing mental healthcare services, including cost and stigma.
Stress:
Depression often arises from negative thought patterns associated with stressful circumstances, such as:
- Belonging to a marginalized community
- Experiencing feelings of isolation
- Dealing with life events like breakups, grief, loss, and major transitions
- Coping with chronic illness, particularly in later adulthood
Individuals with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are at heightened risk for depression. Anxiety disorders involve sustained stress that interferes with daily functioning, while OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) leading to compulsive behaviors. For instance, a fear of germs may trigger compulsive hand-washing.
Evidence suggests that individuals with anxiety disorders or OCD are more prone to developing depression, often due to feelings of helplessness or hopelessness in managing negative thoughts and stress.
Therapeutic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy can assist individuals in coping with stress, anxiety disorders, and OCD by reframing their perceptions of challenging situations. Behavioral activation, a component of CBT, encourages engagement in mood-enhancing activities like gardening or socializing with friends.
Risk Factors:
Several environmental factors and life experiences can heighten the risk of depression, particularly for individuals already predisposed to the condition due to genetic or health factors. While these risk factors may not directly cause depression, they can act as triggers for symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Medications:
Certain prescription medications can affect the levels of brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. For instance, medications used to manage chronic migraine, heart conditions, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders may lead to symptoms of depression. It's essential to discuss with your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that might influence your mood.
Sleep Deprivation:
A single night of poor sleep can significantly impact your mood, while chronic sleep deprivation can have lasting effects on mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with insomnia are at a higher risk of developing depression compared to those who consistently get adequate sleep. Changes in sleep patterns, particularly difficulty sleeping, are frequently observed in individuals with depression and may exacerbate symptoms.
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