Factors Which Cause Clinical Depression

What can cause clinical depression?

Clinical depression does not refer to a specific type of depression, per se, but rather more toward the state or severity of the condition. There are several forms of clinical depression, such as major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Persons suffering from major depression usually experience depression one or twice in their lifetime.

Clinical Depression is an extremely serious medical condition where depression is severe and interferes with the normal functioning of a human being. People suffering from clinical depression will become extremely negative, sad, bitter, and feel hopeless for extended periods of time, ranging from several weeks to even years. They are often unable to change their thought processes on their own and need professional help.

Dysthymia is one form of clinical depression where the symptoms of depression are not very intense but could last anywhere from several weeks to several years. Bipolar disorder, on another hand, includes alternating phases of mania and depression, where mania involves hyperactivity and depression includes severe inactivity and other symptoms of depression.

Irrespective of the form of the condition, there are several factors which can cause clinical depression, and these are discussed below.

Natural or Biological Factors

Certain chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain can create imbalances, which can then result in severe depression. Neurotransmitters and chemicals which are responsible for causing depression include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. One way in which these chemical imbalances are addressed is through the use of pharmacological drugs, although natural remedies also exist and can be very effective.

Other biological causes of clinical depression include genetic predisposition, where there is a family history of depression.

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

Alcohol and drug abuse can also cause clinical depression, especially among teens, because there no control or moderation exercised while consuming either of the two. Both of these substances have the tendency to alter a person’s state of mind and, when people try to get rid of the habit, they start suffering from withdrawal symptoms, one of which is depression itself. Therefore, constant consumption of alcohol and drugs can result in depression.

Stress factors

Stress is one of the major factors which can cause clinical depression in people, especially when one finds it difficult to cope with challenges in one's professional or personal life.

Professionally, there are a lot of factors which contribute to depression. These include the inability to deliver results, meet deadlines / targets on an ongoing basis, losing the job, etc. Personally, divorce, separation, illness, death in the family, etc, contribute to depression in people.

Other factors which cause depression include traumatic experiences during childhood like abuse, separation of parents, and social isolation.

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