Causes of Depression

Causes of depression greatly vary from person to person but is often caused by several different factors, while depression does not only affect an individual but also his/her family and friends. Scientific researches shown that depression results biochemical changes regardless to the cause of its outbreak.

Since some types of depression often occur in the families with depression history the scientists assume that genetic factors play an important role in development of depression in some people. According to the WHO parents, sibling and children of severely depressed individuals have about 10-15% risk of becoming affected by depression, while the risk for depression in the general population is 1-2%. However, since depression also affects people who have no history of depression in family apparently there are also other causes for depression. Some experts believe that depression can be also caused by biological factors such as abnormalities in neurochemical systems in the brain or are themselves a result of depression but this theory is being subject of debate within the psychiatric community.

In contrary to biological factors there is no doubt that great impact on occurrence and persistence of depression have psychological factors. Although depression is not a sign of emotional weakness although one's personality and his/her view on the world and themselves can not be ignored. According to the WHO individuals who are viewing themselves and their environment negatively and pessimistically are in greater risk for depression than people who have positive opinion over themselves and see future optimistically.

One of most frequent causes for depression are social factors. Family problems, marital conflicts or divorce, death in the family, child abuse, loss of a job, financial problems, persistent stress, etc. greatly effect anyone who is experience it and greatly increase risk for depression. Either way, each person is unique and has different causes for depression which are in majority of depressed people usually multiple.