One of the most well-known and common mental disorders in our society is depression. Although this mood disorder is widely known, little is usually said about its causes.
The reason is, among others, that this disorder cannot be explained by a single factor: its appearance and development are very complex processes. In this article we will talk about it and see, in summary, what is known about the causes of depression.
Depression is an affective disorder through which pain and psychological discomfort are expressed. This includes both psychological and somatic symptoms, so to diagnose and apply the appropriate treatment it is essential to evaluate the patient’s environment (family, work, sentimental or marital situation…).
Depression is an acute clinical disorder that affects the brain. It goes beyond feeling “sunken” or “sad” some days, you have to differentiate sadness from depression. The essential difference is that sadness is a natural response to a painful stimulus; this expression of emotionally manifested pain is a necessary response mechanism. However, if the sadness lasts over time, becoming chronic, without or with an apparent cause and with severe modularity, affecting the patient’s normal functioning in all areas of their daily life, then we are referring to depression.
Depression is not a natural response but rather a pathology that can lead to disability. Epidemiological studies reveal that, for example, in the United States 20% of the population suffers from this disease.
What are the causes of depression?
The main causes of depression are due to genetic factors (genetic predisposition) so It is very important to evaluate if the patient has a family history.
Likewise, depressive symptoms can also be due to physiological factors, as well as personal situation and environmental causes. Below we will explain each of these factors.
1. Genetic factors
If the presence of a history of depression is found in the close family environment (parents and/or siblings), this can increase the chances of suffering from this disease from 25% to 30%. There are studies with monozygotic twins (coming from a single zygote that divides into two after fertilization) that show that in one of the brothers the probability of suffering from depression increases up to 50% in the case of a history in the other. The probability, however, is considerably reduced in twins (dizygotic twins), up to 25% less.
As science advances in genetics, Genes have been found related to the predisposition of an individual being more or less susceptible to depression (such as: SERTs short serotonin transporter gene). It is estimated that up to 214 genes may be involved in the risk of depression.
2. Physiological factors
Depression is related to a decrease in a neurotransmitter called serotonin. specifically in the dendrites that transmit impulses from the axon of one neuron to the soma of another. For this reason, psychiatrists sometimes use a group of drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, whose main function is to increase the predisposition of serotonergic levels in patients with depression, the most famous of which is undoubtedly the one It is marketed under the brand name Prozac, whose active ingredient is fluoxetine.
Other medications can also be used such as anxiolytics that act on another neurotransmitter: GABA (γaminobutyric acid). Anxiety is considered the sister of depression and they are generally linked to a greater or lesser extent depending on the condition. Anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepines are those most commonly prescribed.
Among other causes are the endocrine disorders these are another of the most frequent causes with which depression is associated, among which diabetes and hyperthyroidism stand out.
On the other hand, it has been observed that inflammatory processes that affect the brain significantly increase the chances of developing clinical depression. This means that a wide variety of problems in the body can more or less indirectly affect mental health, because there are many biological complications that end up generating inflammation.
3. Personal factors
It is proven that The prevalence of this disease is significantly higher in women, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period. (PPD) due to hormonal variations.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a transient disorder whose onset occurs between two and four days after childbirth and which disappears spontaneously within a period of two weeks. There are two types of PPD, depression babyblues and the depressive disorder itself.
In medicine it is called babyblues to mild alteration in the mother’s mood, with mild depressive symptoms. It is manifested by lack of concentration, anxiety, sadness, but above all by an instability of mood with a great tendency to cry. It does not require treatment as it disappears spontaneously after a short time.
However, In the case of PPD, symptoms appear at 12 weeks and present a more acute condition both psychological and physical symptoms can occur, for example in the first case there can be feelings of worthlessness, suicidal ideation or thoughts linked to death, and in the case of physical symptoms, these can include headache and intestinal discomfort among others. In this case, medical treatment is required.
Age is also a determining factor. The period between 35 and 45 years is the period with the highest incidence of this disease. Although it is also worth highlighting depression in minors, mainly during the period of puberty and adolescence, an age in which we experience very important hormonal changes while psychologically defining ourselves as people. In the case of depressive behaviors during childhood, greater attention must be paid since it can have a very different manifestation than that of adults and is sometimes camouflaged under other types of disorders. However, it is extremely important to pay special attention to the environment. familiar.
4. Environmental factors
Environmental causes are considered all those external stimuli that influence the person and that can act as catalysts for depression.
Negative family and/or work situations can cause stress and trigger depression, especially if the person has a history of alcohol dependence or drug use. The poor relationship with other people, as well as the difficulty of communicating and isolation, are key factors that increase the probability of an individual developing depression.
