Depression Causes
Learn what the medical community has uncovered about what causes Depression inside the condition center at ThirdAge.com. When you're done continue your research by selecting the next category in the left navigation.
Chemical, hormonal, and physical changes in the brain may cause depression.
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes of Depression
The precise cause is not known. It can be difficult to determine if an illness causes depression or depression caused the illness. Possible causes may be mental, physical, or environmental and include:
- Stressful life events (usually in combination with one or more of the following causes)
- Chronic stress
- Low self-esteem
- Imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones
- Lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness)
- Negative thought patterns and beliefs
- Chronic pain
- Coronary Atherosclerosis and heart surgery
- Genetic predisposition
- Altered brain structure and function, including after a Cerebrovascular Accident
- Parkinson's Disease
- Postpartum Depression occurs after childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression or a worsening of symptoms thought to be due to the decreased exposure to sunlight that occurs during winter months
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- Anemia
- Cancer
- Drug Dependence
Chemical, hormonal, and physical changes in the brain may cause depression.
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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