Depression can be caused by a myriad of reasons. There are some common triggers and it affects people differently. It could be your past to major ongoing life challenges. It is important to identify the reason for the depression before you can find a solution. To identify the reasons for your depression, you need to focus on how you feel. A daily mood app is an excellent tool to record, analyse and allow you to take better care of yourself. Here are some of the major causes of depression that you might not be aware of.
Your Past
Research has shown that those who have had traumatic childhoods are likely to be depressed. As they say, we’re a sum total of our past experiences. Even if you’re likely to be depressed, you can end the vicious cycle by seeking depression therapy Austin. Getting help is crucial if you’re to manage the condition, as it is likely to affect other areas of your life.
Major Life Changes
It could be an expected event or something that comes out of the blue, major life changes could be destructive. Big changes can be stress triggers. It could be the end of a marriage where there are custody battles involved. You will need to be strong for the sake of your kids. It is important to understand that depression is a disease that can be treated and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
Unexpected events like death and accidents are traumatic and are likely to lead to depression. There are those events that will require that you make major life adjustments. As much as you might not have control over some events, you have the power to control how you react. There are structured therapies and problem-solving techniques that can be employed to manage the condition.
Ongoing Challenges
You might be having a particular challenge that has been persistent in your life. It could be an illness or a condition like joblessness that is causing the pain in your life. Such challenges could build up and lead to never-ending frustrations. Some of the challenges include problems with the family, love or sex problems, disability, and school-life balance. You might have been trying to avoid addressing the problems, however, they only compound with time. Before you know it, you’re dealing with a full-blown crisis.
Money Problems
The lack of money is a big challenge in the modern era. You need money for almost everything. Relationships have been ruined because of a lack of money. This will, in turn, have an impact on the self-esteem of a person. You might think less of yourself because you don’t have the money.
Weather
This might come as a surprise, but people could actually get depressed because of a change in the weather. Seasonal Affective Disorders affect 5% of the American adult population. For around 1% of the population, the depression usually strikes during the summer months. The human body experiences challenge adjusting to new conditions.
Smoking
People who are depressed are likely to take up smoking as a habit. Nicotine has an adverse effect on the neurotransmitters in the brain. As much as the substance is addictive, it is also likely to lead to depression. For the sake of a balanced chemical equation in the brain, quitting smoking is highly recommended.
Poor Sleep Habit
There have been numerous studies that have linked irritability to sleep deprivation. In a 2007 study, participants who didn’t have enough sleep would experience greater brain activity when they were shown upsetting images. The reaction was similar to that of depressed patients.
Social Media
Spending too much time online can have negative effects on a person. Studies have shown that social media is one of the leading causes of depression among teens. Those that are addicted to social media, might find it hard to interact with others in real-life settings. Spending too much time online could be our own undoing. It is important that you’re limiting the time your kids are spending online.
Where You Live
You might not be aware of this fact, but where you live could contribute to your happiness and overall outlook on life. Research has shown that those who live in urban settlements are 39% more likely to experience mood swings. Those that live in the city are likely to experience more brain activity, particularly in parts that trigger stress.
Getting Help
Learn more about the potential causes of depression in this article from BetterHelp.
Depression is a disease like any other. You will need to be treated in order to get better. There are people that will avoid treatment because of the stigma that is associated with the condition. There are different treatment plans available that don’t necessarily involve taking drugs. Do your research before settling on a particular regimen.