35 Causes of Depression and Treatment Options
No motivation. No excitement. Nothing interests you anymore. These are just a few ways some people feel when going through depression. Perhaps you’ve felt this way for a long time, or something’s happened in life and the feeling is relatively new. Either way, you may find yourself asking: Why? Why do I feel this way?
There are likely many elements of life that contribute to your depression. Often, it’s a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, all of which differ from person to person.
So, what are some of these causes? And how could outpatient treatment help? Below, we delve into the current research on factors that increase a person’s risk of depression and explore treatment options.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mental health condition that involves having a low mood for a long period of time. There are several types of depression, and each has a unique set of symptoms (and causes!). For example, major depressive disorder involves experiencing a period of low mood for over 2 weeks, whereas persistent depressive disorder involves less severe symptoms that last for years.1
You can find out more about the types of depression on our page, “17 Types of Depression.”
What Are the Causes of Depression?
Depression doesn’t usually have one singular cause. Instead, it tends to occur as a result of a combination of risk factors; biological, psychological, and environmental. Let’s explore some of these risk factors in more depth.
Biological Causes of Depression
Some of the biological factors that research suggests are linked to depression are3:
- Genetics: Studies show that some people can have a genetic predisposition for depression, making them more likely to struggle with this and other mental health difficulties. For example, a gene called BDNF that helps the brain grow and change has been linked to depression. What’s more, certain immune system genes and small gene variations may be connected to depression.
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the body may contribute to depression. The body’s immune system releases chemicals called cytokines when fighting illness or stress. Some of these, known as pro-inflammatory cytokines, may be linked to depression.
- Disturbances in the Gut Microbiome: Research suggests that when there is an imbalance in certain gut bacteria, this could play a role in the onset of a mental health condition, such as depression.
- Dysregulation in the HPA Axis: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is effectively the body’s stress response system. It acts as an alarm system that gets activated when we’re under stress. Stress triggers inflammation in the body, which may contribute to depression. What’s more, when the HPA axis doesn’t work properly, the body’s stress response may become unbalanced, which is linked to depression.
- Cognitive Decline: Problems with memory, focus, or thinking clearly can also increase a person’s risk of depression. Furthermore, having a family history of cognitive issues (such as dementia) may put someone at increased risk of experiencing depression in life.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the biological factors that may contribute to depression. Research is finding new links all the time, so our knowledge is always evolving.
Psychological Causes of Depression
Just like the biological factors, there are many psychological factors that research suggests put us at a greater risk of developing depression. They are2:
- Sensitivity to Rejection: Sensitivity to rejection means feeling upset, hurt, or anxious when you think someone is criticizing, rejecting, or ignoring you. Some people are naturally more sensitive to rejection than others, and this can put them at greater risk of developing depression.
- Negative Self-Concept: Holding a negative or critical view of yourself involves seeing yourself as unlovable, unworthy, or not good enough. Having a negative self-concept may involve constant self-criticism, increased sensitivity to stress, withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness, which could contribute to depression.
- Neuroticism: Neuroticism is a personality trait that involves feeling strong negative emotions such as irritability, sadness, and anxiety more often than other people. Those with this personality trait may feel stress more intensely and struggle to shake off negative feelings, making depression more likely.
- Rumination: Rumination means continually dwelling on negative thoughts, past events, or problems, without coming up with a solution – like a record playing over and over in your head. This can increase negative emotions, as well as stress and anxiety, which could contribute to depression.
Environmental Causes of Depression
Many environmental factors can also put you at a greater risk of struggling with depression. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as loneliness, lack of social support, stressful life events, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and lack of physical activity are risk factors for depression. Financial strain, lack of healthy food, discrimination, and exposure to violent crime also put someone at greater risk of having depression.2
In older age, low income is also a depression risk factor, whereas pain, child abuse, chronic health problems, and high body mass index are risk factors for depression in younger people.3
What Are the Causes of Depression?
The causes of depression in men and women can differ, just as depression can be different across populations. But what causes depression in women? And how does that differ from the causes in men?
Causes of Depression in Women4-9
Depression in women tends to occur as a result of multiple interlinked factors, such as stress, social norms, hormone changes, and life transitions.
- Women Internalize Their Emotions: Research shows that women are more likely than men to internalize their emotions. As such, they often experience self-blame and guilt in response to stress. This can lead to poor self-esteem, sleep disturbances, and persistent sadness, increasing their risk of depression.
- Stress: Stress, especially chronic stress, can also have a significant impact on women’s mental health. The type of stress women experience tends to vary depending on their life stage. However, these stressors, when prolonged, can lead to depression and other mental health difficulties.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly those tied to the menstrual cycle, can affect a woman’s mood regulation. The limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, is influenced by hormonal changes during menstruation, increasing the likelihood of anxiety and depression. Additionally, stress can reduce the protective effect of estrogen, making women more susceptible to mental health challenges.
- Life Transitions: Life transitions, such as pre- and post-pregnancy and menopause can have a marked effect on a woman’s mental health. Pregnancy and menopause bring hormonal changes that can trigger depression, making depression more likely during these life stages.
Causes of Depression in Men10-15
Depression in men can arise due to a mix of factors and may vary depending on individual circumstances, cultural influences, and life stages.
Societal expectations shape how men experience and cope with depression. Men are often expected to be self-reliant and assertive, and avoid showing vulnerability. Cultural norms discourage expressing sadness, which may make it difficult for them to seek help when feeling depressed, potentially leading to clinical depression.
In many work environments, there seems to be a lack of awareness about men’s mental health needs, and seeking help may be viewed as a sign of weakness. This can lead to isolation and unaddressed mental health issues, including depression, which are worsened by stress, conflict, and a lack of communication.
Fatherhood and life transitions may also play a role in depression in men. Fathers can experience perinatal depression and anxiety and often lack support systems and recognition. What’s more, middle-aged men can face life stressors like divorce, job loss, or unfulfilled dreams, which can lead to feelings of failure and poor mental health.
Finally, as men age, physical health problems, reduced mobility, and the loss of loved ones can contribute to depression. Loneliness and social isolation often become more common, and without proper mental health support, depression can deepen in elderly men.
Outpatient Treatment for Depression
Depression can make doing everyday things, like getting out of bed, taking a shower, or seeing your friends, a challenge. It can drain your energy and leave you feeling isolated. If this is your reality right now, know that you don’t have to face this alone.
At Mission Connection, we understand that depression looks different in every single person. That’s why our outpatient treatment programs are designed to meet you where you are, offering the support you need while allowing you to continue living your life – just more on your own terms.
Outpatient treatment provides structured, evidence-based care without requiring you to stay overnight. We offer both in-person sessions at one of our centers in Washington, Virginia, or California, as well as virtual therapy which you can do from the comfort of home.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offer that extra bit of support if your depression symptoms are severe and you feel like they are unmanageable on your own.
We take a comprehensive approach to treating depression, involving:
Individual Therapy:
Work one-to-one with a licensed therapist to understand the root causes of your depression and learn coping skills.
Group Therapy:
Connect with others facing similar difficulties in an environment that is both non-judgmental and safe, and provides you an opportunity to share your experiences with others who “get” it.
Mind-Body Integration:
We help you address physical symptoms of depression, such as body aches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, through holistic therapies like sound baths and movement therapy.
Cognitive and Behavioral Skills Training:
Our structured programs teach practical strategies to break negative thought patterns and manage stress.
Support for Daily Living:
We support you in creating healthy habits and setting achievable goals so life begins to feel more manageable.
Contact Us for Support With Depression
It’s hard admitting that you’re struggling, and asking for help can feel harder still. But know this: asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.
When you’re ready to ask for help, the team at Mission Connection will be ready. We’re here to support you every step of the way, and we vouch to offer compassionate, effective care that works for you.
If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again, get in touch at 866-711-1328. We can talk you through our outpatient programs and find one to suit your needs.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). What is depression? https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
- Remes, O., Mendes, J. F., & Templeton, P. (2021). Biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression: A review of recent literature. Brain Sciences, 11(12), 1633. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11121633
- Schaakxs, R., Comijs, H. C., van der Mast, R. C., Schoevers, R. A., Beekman, A. T. F., & Penninx, B. W. J. H. (2017). Risk factors for depression: Differential across age? The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(9), 966-977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2017.04.004
- Caputo, J., Pavalko, E. K., & Hardy, M. A. (2016). The Long-Term Effects of Caregiving on Women’s Health and Mortality. Journal of marriage and the family, 78(5), 1382–1398. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12332
- Office for National Statistics. (2019, September 3). Suicides in the UK: 2018 registrations. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2018registrations
- Kundakovic, M., & Rocks, D. (2022). Sex hormone fluctuation and increased female risk for depression and anxiety disorders: From clinical evidence to molecular mechanisms. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology, 66, 101010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101010
- Psychiatry.org. (n.d.). What is Perinatal Depression? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/peripartum-depression/what-is-peripartum-depression#:~:text=Perinatal%20depression%20refers%20to%20depression,to%20depression%20experienced%20after%20childbirth.)
- Van Niel, M. S., & Payne, J. L. (2020b). Perinatal depression: A review. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 87(5), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19054
- Marsh, W. K., Bromberger, J. T., Crawford, S. L., Leung, K., Kravitz, H. M., Randolph, J. F., Joffe, H., & Soares, C. N. (2017). Lifelong estradiol exposure and risk of depressive symptoms during the transition to menopause and postmenopause. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 24(12), 1351–1359. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000929
- Smith, D. T., Mouzon, D. M., & Elliott, M. (2016). Reviewing the Assumptions about Men’s Mental Health: An Exploration of the Gender Binary. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(1), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988316630953
- Office for National Statistics. (n.d.). Mental health. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/mentalhealth
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (n.d.). Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx). Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Short, S., Davis, P. E., & Ndzi, E. G. (2023). An exploration of masculinity, social support and depression in new and experienced fathers. Midwifery, 123, 103715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103715
- Men’s Minds Matter. (2024, August 12). Male Depression at work. https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/mental-health-in-workspace/
- Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2015). Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(49), 15078–15083. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518393112
