Depression

Biological Causes of Depression:

• Medications:Medications prescribed for the relief of depression may restore balance to the levels of neurotransmitters. For example, many people who are depressed have low levels of norepinephrine. Some anti-depressants increase the levels of norepinephrine and relieve the symptoms of depression. However, this is not definitive, because some depressed individuals have high levels of norepinephrine, and anti-depressant medications do not work for everyone. Still, there is a strong correlation between levels of neurotransmitters levels and depression, and medications relieve symptoms for many people.
• Stress Hormone:Cortisol, popularly known as the stress hormone, is secreted by the adrenal glands in order to help individuals react to stressful events. This is sometimes referred to as the "fight or flight" hormone. Cortisol tends to increase alertness, heart rate and respiration, and to decrease digestion. In depressed individuals, cortisol may continue to be secreted even though the levels of the hormone are already high in their body. Cortisol is believed to be related to depression because once the depression disappears, cortisol levels return to normal.
• Organic Conditions:Because depression is influenced by hormones, disease in the organs producing the hormone can contribute to the condition. Cushing's Syndrome is caused by abnormally high cortisol levels over a prolonged period and can originate with tumors of the adrenal gland. Addison's Disease is caused by damage to the adrenal glands, resulting in their inability to produce enough cortisol. Thyroid disorders resulting in both the overproduction and underproduction of the thyroid hormones also cause mood changes.

Environmental causes of Depression:

• Stress:A buildup of stress can sometimes trigger clinical depression. How someone handles multiple stresses such as a job loss followed by mounting debt and relationship troubles can determine whether or not depression will follow.
• Tramautic Events:The death of a loved one, the loss of a job or living through a natural disaster like a hurricane can all be environmental triggers of depression.
• Childhood:Often, a child who has lived through sexual or physical abuse, a turbulent upbringing, separation from a parent or mental illness in a family member may not have learned the skills necessary to deal with the responsibilities of adulthood. These adults may become depressed because they have not been taught coping skills.

Cognitive causes of Depression:

• Cognitive causes of depression are learned through relationships, unfavorable life situations often in childhood and the formative years. People view the world in a negative way, this negative view is usually a distortion of reality.

Cognitive Triad:

• Negative thinking that often accompanies depression. The three components of the triad include one’s view of the world, oneself, and the future. People who are depressed tend to view the things around them negatively, evaluate themselves as unworthy and flawed, and view the future with caution and pessimism.

1. Environmental Causes of Depression | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5435189_environmental-causes-depression.html#ixzz14tYi46mk Biological Causes of Depression | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5514504_biological-causes-depression.html#ixzz14tXK2vHr