What causes a person to be depressed

Depression is a complex disease. WebMD explains what research has discovered about the causes of depression - from genetics to illnesses and medications to major life events. Some people think they have a clear sense of why they become depressed.

It might not be easy to figure out. It can affect anyone at almost any age, but the reasons some people become depressed are not always known. Researchers suspect there are actually many different causes of depression and that it is not always preventable.

Factors that can contribute to depression include. There are several possible causes of depression. A person who believes they are depressed “for no reason” may not feel they “deserve” to ask for or get help. That’s why it’s important to focus less on the “reason” for depression and instead think about the causes.

Major depressive disorder (often referred to as “depression”) is a common but serious mood disorder. Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.

Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and. Clinical depression in the elderly is common.

Late-life depression affects about million Americans ages and older. But only receive treatment for depression. Suicide is one of the top causes of death in the U. Warning Signs of Suicide. It may feature sadness, difficulty in thinking and concentration and a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Social withdrawal is the most common telltale sign of depression. Learn more about the symptoms, different types, and treatment options. Common Causes of Suicide: A List of Possibilities.

Listed below are some common causes of suicide and a brief explanation regarding why it may lead a person to become suicidal. The most common cause of suicide is untreated depression, as of individuals who commit suicide are depressed. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it can be life-saving, and it may allow the person to get the treatment and support that they need. The amygdala is activated when a person recalls emotionally charged memories, such as a frightening situation. Activity in the amygdala is higher when a person is sad or clinically depressed.

This increased activity continues even after recovery from depression. The most common symptom of depression is a feeling of sadness or emptiness that lasts for more than two weeks. A person may describe this symptom as a feeling of “hopelessness.

Here are seven of depression’s most common causes and several tips on how to avoid them. Overthinking and stress.

Naturally, stress is a part of everyone’s life, but depressed people have a tendency to go over and over stressful situations that they have experienced. When a depressed person is eating too little, it’s often because their depression is affecting their appetite and making eating unappealing.