what causes depression and how can it be stopped?
:) I could write a book on this... here's the relatively short version... as for treatment, see a counselor...
There are several theories regarding the causes and risk factors of depression. These can be broadly classified into two categories: biological and psychological. Biological Genetic Predispositions. An examination of family pedigrees has shown that depression tends to run in families.Researchers have also examined specific genes and gene combinations to support the theory of a genetic link. Neurological factors. Depression has also been associated with lower activity in the behavioral activation system (BAS) and higher activity in the behavioral inhibition system (BIS; as cited in Kasch, Rottenberg, Arnow, & Gotlib, 2002). The low activity of neurotransmitters has been closely linked to unipolar depression; in particular norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine (Sourkes, 1977). Biological researchers have also shown that the body’s endocrine system may play a role in unipolar depression. Endocrine glands release hormones, chemicals that carry information to target cells and initiate action in the organs (Comer, 2007). One particular pathway linked to depression is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) pathway, which is activated in response to stress. Psychological Psychodynamic. Similarities in symptomology between clinically depressed patients and people who were grieving due to the loss of a loved one. Some of the more common symptoms included constant weeping, loss of appetite, sleep difficulties, and a general withdrawal. Freud proposed that unconscious processes are set in motion when a loved one dies. Mourners regress to the oral stage of development, stage when babies cannot distinguish themselves from their mothers. By the regression, they merge their identities with their lost loved ones, and symbolically regain the person. They called this process introjection, and believed that for most people this is temporary. However, some people get worse over time, and eventually the feelings of grief lead to depression. For people who become depressed without having lost a loved one, Freud proposed a concept of symbolic or imagined loss, in which the person equates other events with the loss of a loved one (Eddison, 1935). Findings relating to psychodynamic theory have been unclear; some features of the theory cannot be tested (Comer, 2005). Behavioral. Behaviorists believe unipolar depression results from changes in the number of reinforcements and punishments people receive. Cognitive. Cognitive theorists believe it is repeated negative perception of events that lead to depression. There are two widely used cognitive theories explaining depression: learned helplessness and negative thinking. The learned helplessness theory of depression states that people become depressed when they perceive a lack of control in their lives and attribute this to an internal cause (e.g., a personality trait) that is both global and stable. This leads to individuals feeling unable to prevent future negative outcomes (helplessness), and a sense of hopelessness (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989). The negative thinking hypothesis states that depression arises from a combination of maladaptive attitudes, a cognitive triad, errors in thinking, and automatic thoughts. Some people develop maladaptive attitudes as children; they relate success to self-worth (Peden, 2000). As some failure in life is inevitable, the situations trigger negative thinking related to their experiences, themselves, and their future (the cognitive triad). Depressed people also make errors in thinking, drawing arbitrary inferences, minimizing positive experiences, and maximizing negative experiences and situations. Finally, they experience a steady stream of negative thoughts (automatic thoughts), which lead them to believe they are worthless and their situation will never improve (Beck, 2002).
almost anything can start depression from things like not getting something you want being bullied at school being raped a pet dying being in an abusive home getting involved with bad things like crime or drugs doing something you wished you didnt hating the way you look or the way your body looks a family member dying from a disease/accident, ect knowing you have a disease if you were in an accident seeingor hearing something bad could start it ect telling someone about your problems and how they make you feel is the first step tpowards getting help for depresssion because no one can help you if they dont know anythings wrong a femily member or friend are greta people to talk to other people are a counsellor, school teacher, doctor, ect
A good question with no perfect answer. Depression can be caused by many things. It can be one thing or several. It can by physical or emotional. If someone feels depressed or thinks they are depressed, they need to talk to someone.
Even if you've been fine before, you might develop depression. The best way to cure depression is to have help. Is it physical: hormone imbalance, poor nutrition, allergies, it's a long list. Is it emotional/mental: unable to cope with situations or certain people, feeling helpless dealing with situations, feeling alone
Until you find out what is going on, it's hard to treat, but once you get some clue to what might be the problem, it can be helped. But you can't do it alone. That's what friends are for.
There are a lot of different factors that cause depression. I would have to say a good cause for depression is just a drastic change in lifestyle or not enough change in lifestyle. When people get depressed it could be from new responsibilities or just a mid life crisis where you dont have enough because the kids are going to be more independent. I think that depression can't be stopped because the grass is always greener on the other side. I think that depression could also be a good thing at times though, will cause you to slow down and re evaluate yourself. Some times bad things can be good in small doses. But I am not a clinical psychologist so I really cant officially answer.
