Causes & Effects of Depression

Learn about depression treatment

At some point or another, virtually everyone will experience moments of sadness. However, if an individual experiences prolonged bouts of sadness that are tied to continued feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, they might be struggling with a depressive disorder. Depressive disorders are a serious mental health disorders that can severely impact an individual’s ability to sleep, eat, participate in healthy interpersonal relationships, and otherwise meet the day-to-day responsibilities of a productive life. If symptoms such as these continue and treatment is not obtained, an individual with depression can begin isolate themselves from others, find it hard to meet these responsibilities, or develop thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide.

Thankfully, depression is a highly treatable disorder. There are treatment options available that have been established to specifically address an individual’s depression diagnosis. Some of these treatments can include medications that will help alleviate depression symptoms, education on how to recognize symptoms, and therapeutic interventions that teach healthy coping skills to handle conditions. Engaging in these forms of professional care can dramatically improve the lives of those afflicted with these mental health issues. By obtaining treatment services such as these, those who have depression can reclaim a life that is happy, healthy, and free of their upsetting symptoms.

Depression statistics

Depression, which is a mental illness that impacts children, adolescents, and adults, is one of the most common forms of mental health conditions. Studies have shown that 1 in 33 children, 1 in 8 adolescents, and 7% of all adults meet the criteria needed to diagnose depression. Additionally, approximately 15% of adults will develop depression later on in life if their symptoms are not experienced sooner.

Causes and risk factors for depression

A number of factors, including one’s environment and genetics, can add to the development of depression. The below list includes some of the causes of depression as stated by mental health professionals:

Genetic: Since depression is often found within the same family, it can be concluded that this form of mental health condition is heritable, especially for those who have a close relative like a parent or sibling who suffer from this disorder. Studies show that 40% of individuals with a diagnosis of depression have a family history of it.

Environmental: There are a variety of environmental influences that can trigger the development of depression (or exacerbate symptoms of it). Influences such as stress, violence, trauma, neglect, or abuse can bring on these symptoms, especially if these influences are continual. In addition, sudden life changes can also bring on the onset of depression. Some of these changes can include the loss of a loved one or losing a job.

Risk Factors:

• Experiencing abrupt of unexpected life changes
• Low socioeconomic status
• Exposure to chronic stress, violence, abuse, or neglect
• Being the victim of a crime
• Lack of academic achievement
• Unstable work history
• Personal history of a preexisting mental health condition
• Family history of depression or other mental health conditions

Signs and symptoms of depression

The signs and symptoms linked to depression can vary based on the severity of symptoms and the age of the individual. If you believe that you or someone you love is struggling with this mental illness, it is imperative that you take note of the symptoms listed below so treatment can be obtained:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Self-harm
• Crying spells
• Decreased participation in things or activities that were once enjoyed
• Inability to fulfill roles or adhere to responsibilities
• Frequent absences from school
• Missing work
• Unwarranted outbursts of emotions

Physical symptoms:

• Headaches or migraines
• Aches and/or pains
• Weight loss or gain
• Lethargy
• Not sleeping
• Sleeping for a majority of the day

Cognitive symptoms:

• Poor concentration
• Impaired decision-making
• Memory difficulties
• Slowed thinking

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Feeling guilty
• Decreased interest in pleasurable activities
• Sadness
• Over criticism of self
• Helplessness
• Irritability
• Hopelessness

Effects of depression

Allowing depression to continue can cause an individual to become vulnerable to a variety of negative repercussions if treatment is not sought and implemented. Some of these symptoms can grow worse over time and cause the following effects to occur:

• Suicidal ideation
• Suicide attempts
• Development of another mental health condition
• Self-harming behaviors
• Obesity
• Decline in overall physical health
• Inability to maintain employment
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Decline in quantity and quality of interpersonal relationships
• Academic failure

Depression and co-occurring disorders

Other mental health conditions are known to develop alongside of depression. In some instances, symptoms of depression can occur in response to another disorder, or can bring on symptoms of an additional disorder. Other mental health disorders that have been known to occur alongside of depression include:

• Borderline personality disorder
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)