Why do We Get Depressed

The feeling of aloofness and sorrow that grips you is not a great feeling to have, to be in a constant ‘low’ means to let your days go for a toss. Do you know why people get depressed?

It is said that a depressed mind is actually the result of a chemical imbalance, but a depressed mind is definitely more complex than that. Researchers have shown that depression is not something that crops up from simply having too much or too little of these brain chemicals. Instead, there are other possible causes for it. Some could be directly related to the brain, while others could simply be an external event which is temporary in nature.

Brain Chemistry

When you get depressed the chemistry of your brain gets affected, and this is precisely what experts mean when they say that there is some chemical imbalance. Chemicals are known as neurotransmitters actually help to send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Some of these neurotransmitters regulate the mood and when you are depressed these get low in supply, thus the imbalance. A lot of things can affect a low supply or imbalance of neurotransmitters, such as stress, exposure to daylight, and using alcohol and drugs.

Hormonal Changes and Health

There are certain health conditions that can change the hormonal balance in the human body and this could then affect the person’s mood. Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism are pretty much known to cause depression in patients. If these conditions are diagnosed on time and treated well then the depression disappears. Even the hormonal changes that people go through during puberty can lead to depression.

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Matter of Genes

Depression can be a problem if it runs in the family, in other words, it could also be genetic. Some people inherit the genes and this makes it more likely for them to get depressed, but you must note that not everyone with genes for depression actually gets depressed. Genes could merely increase the risk of depression. You should also note that a lot of people who are depressed don’t have the genes.

Life Events

One of the most common causes of depression is a shocking or traumatising life event. The death of a family member, friend or a dear one can make things very sad and sometimes lead to tremendous depression. Also, other incidents like divorce, separation, breakup or even remarriage could lead to depression. However, it is possible that sometimes you will find yourself depressed and wonder about the cause. At other times, some people tend to go through difficult life events without getting depressed.

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Daylight and Seasons

Depression can also be seasonal at times, this is because daylight can affect the brain’s production of neurotransmitters and therefore you should be careful during summer months. The neurotransmitters like melatonin and serotonin help to regulate a person’s sleep and wake cycle, energy and mood. When the days are shorter and nights longer as in winter it may cause increased levels of melatonin and decreased levels of serotonin. This change could cause depression.

It is essential for everyone to live a healthy life by exercising regularly and eating well. By leading a healthy life you can ensure that even after depression strikes you, you do not make things worse by leading a bad lifestyle.

Read more articles on Depression Signs and Symptoms.