Depression is one of the leading reasons for suicides and suicidal attempts worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, around 800,000 people commit suicide every year. Without a doubt, depression is considered a medical condition. Over 264 million people are impacted by depression worldwide.
Feeling depressed is caused by a myriad of factors. But how can you determine if you’re just feeling under the weather or have depression? Read on as we dig deeper into what depression is and the top five reasons for being depressed.
Although it’s normal to feel down or “blue” sometimes, depression has a more long-term effect. When you’re feeling down regularly, then you may be depressed. Depression can make you feel sad all the time, without even knowing the reason behind it sometimes.
If you think you’re depressed, it’s recommended to seek professional help immediately. The longer you carry the depression by yourself, the more your thoughts will play tricks on you. In turn, this can lead to severe illnesses and, worst, suicide. Although depression doesn’t have a specific cause, here are some factors that stimulate depression:
- Brain chemistry
- Substance use
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
- Genetics
- Medical conditions
What Happens When You’re Depressed?
Depression is related to the body’s biological process. When one is depressed, it means there is an imbalance in mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters are called serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play a huge role in regulating our mood, preventing the risk of depression. They communicate with the various areas in the brain. When the body lacks these neurotransmitters,
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating these neurotransmitters. It produces endocannabinoids to regulate the production of these neurotransmitters. While this is only one potential biological cause of depression, some experts believe that additional cannabinoids from cannabis may help control these neurotransmitters.
CBD or cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis that brings many health benefits. And one of them is regulating the neurotransmitter production that boosts your mood. However, before using CBD, it’s essential to consult the professionals and buy weed online from a reliable and licensed source.
Top Five Reasons for Depression
Aside from some of the internal factors mentioned above that cause depression, here are other reasons that cause depression.
1. Loss and grief
You are losing a loved one, whether a person or a pet, can seem like the whole world is falling. You experience all sorts of emotions, but the strongest one is grief. And that’s normal. Grief may subside over time, but if you notice any kind of symptoms, it may be leading you to depression.
2. Stress
When a person is overwhelmed with work issues or personal problems, this can lead to stress. Our body then releases the primary stress hormones called cortisol. Cortisol prevents the functions that are detrimental in a flight-or-fight situation. Cortisol also impacts the neurotransmitter responsible for our mood, called serotonin.
3. Childhood trauma
Some people experience childhood trauma. Although some can manage to get over the trauma after a few years, some can suppress this experience. In effect, this will lead to depression when they become adults. That being said, parents, guardians, and professionals should address this trauma to prevent depression.
4. Illnesses
When one is diagnosed with a severe disease that doesn’t have any cure, this may increase your risk of being anxious and depressed. You may feel like there is no more future for you, and you’ll die anytime soon. And this can make you even more melancholy, especially if you have no support system. Some illnesses might be cancer, stroke, heart disease, chronic pain, or thyroid issues.
5. Alcohol or substance abuse
When you’re taking medications for depression, alcohol, or other drugs may interfere with the medications’ effects. Some depressed people resort to drinking or using drugs to fight depression somehow and temporarily make them feel happy. However, it only gets worse over time and leads you into a downward spiral.