Causes of Depression

Researchers are unable to determine the specific cause of depression. Studies show it is a combination of circumstances spread between biological, environmental and genetic functions.

Depression is a mental illness that is a disorder of the brain. Studies have shown that an MRI of the brain of a person suffering from depression will look different than the brain of someone who does not suffer from this illness. Specific areas of the brain that are different are the areas that affect mood, thinking, sleep functions, appetite and behavior. In addition, other tests show there is a chemical imbalance in the brain of depressive people.

Sometimes, depression can be genetic and will be shared from generation to generation. However, there is no basis to believe that genetics play a big part in triggering depressive behavior as statistics show that people who do not have a genetic history of depression are just as likely to suffer from it.

Finally, regular situations that lead to sadness can also trigger depression such as death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, or any stressful life change.