What Exactly Is Causing This Depression?

Question by ?: What exactly is causing this depression?
Im on two medications which help keep the nervous breakdowns and anxiety under control (in other words, I can sleep.) But im still exhausted and mopey all the time… I really cant help it. I try to exercise everyday, as far as I know my diet is fine, ive had blood tests done and everything is normal… Not to mention my immune system is phenomenal. Just idk, ive been down for almost 2 years and idk the cause of it. What are some possibilities?

Best answer:

Answer by nesher9
There are a number of factors that may increase the chance of depression, including the following:
•Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.
•Certain medications. For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression.
•Brain Chemistry Imbalance. Depression is believed to be caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitters which are involved in mood regulation. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances which help different areas of the brain communicate with each other. When certain neurotransmitters are in short supply, this may lead to the symptoms we recognize as clinical depression.
•Female Sex Hormones. It has been widely documented that women suffer from major depression about twice as often as men. Because the incidence of depressive disorders peaks during women’s reproductive years, it is believed that hormonal risk factors may be to blame. Women are especially prone to depressive disorders during times when their hormones are in flux, such as around the time of their menstrual period, childbirth and peri-menopause. In addition, a woman’s depression risk declines after she goes through menopause.
•Conflict. Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
•Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.
•Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It’s thought that depression is passed genetically from one generation to the next. The exact way this happens, though, is not known.
•Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring.
•Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.
•Physical conditions. Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.
•Poor Nutrition. A poor diet can contribute to depression in several ways. A variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are known to cause symptoms of depression. Researchers have also found that diets either low in omega-3 fatty acids or with an imbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 are associated with increased rates of depression. In addition, diets high in sugar have been associated with depression.
•Personality. People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to depression. Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an early form of the illness is not clear.
•Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.

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