As the leading cause of mental illness across the globe, depression affects tens of millions of people in the United States. Depression affects each person differently, and it can make every day tasks seem challenging, even overwhelming. Exploring depression, its causes, and the role it plays in your life daily can help you gain a deeper understanding of how to manage it better or even resolve it.
While much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms of depression, experts do know that most cases are caused by two or more of the following factors: a) Genetic predisposition or a family history of depression, b) Biological conditions, including hormonal changes and chronic illness, c) Environmental circumstances, such as neglect, abuse, and poverty, and d) Psychological strain, including chronic stress and previous trauma.
Experts also know that depression can have far-reaching effects on virtually all aspects of your health. It can cause other mental health issues or exacerbate existing ones, such as anxiety, the ability to concentrate, our interest in ourselves or others, and it can damage personal relationships. It can also affect our appetite, sleep patterns, and it may even lead us to attempts at managing it using alcohol or drugs. Being able to recognize its signs and impact on us is important so we can take the first step toward connecting with a therapist. When you are ready to do that, please call us and we will guide you through the process toward booking an appointment so you can be well on your way to healing.
Data Sources:
“Major Depression”. 2013. National Institute of Mental Health. (Data from 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.) www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults.shtml
“What is depression”. January, 2017. <https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression>
“The Toll Depression Takes on Your Mental Health and Physical Health”. Blog. March, 2020. https://www.exisrecovery.com/blog/the-toll-depression-takes-on-your-mental-and-physical-health