Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that over 280 million people across the globe struggle with it. That’s nearly 6% of the population!

While depression impacts everyone differently, there’s no denying the heaviness it can create in your life. It often comes with feelings of deep sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.

The good news is, despite the challenges, depression can be successfully managed with the appropriate support and treatment. However, one of the best ways to move forward on your healing journey is to understand where your depression stems from. It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, so exploring potential causes can make things clearer for you.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at where depression comes from and what you can do to start fighting back against yours.

Biological Factors

Believe it or not, depression can start from within. Even genetics can play a part in making you more susceptible to it. While there isn’t necessarily a “depression gene,” if a close family member struggles with their mental health, you might have a genetic predisposition to them.

Your brain chemistry can also play a major role in depression. If your brain doesn’t produce as much dopamine or serotonin, you could be more at risk of developing depression.

Psychological Factors

More often than not, depression comes from external factors, including stressful life events. It might seem impossible to avoid stress completely, but experiencing major triggers like trauma, grief, or loss can not only trigger depression but also make it worse if you’re already struggling.

Chronic stress will impact your mood. That makes it harder to overcome the negative, isolating thoughts that often come with depression.

Even if you are not necessarily dealing with major stressful events right now, things from your past could be contributing to your mental health today. For example, if you experienced abuse, neglect, or witnessed a traumatic event as a child, it can increase your risk of developing depression as an adult.

Social Factors

The stress and uncertainty sometimes caused by social situations can also be a factor when it comes to depression. Everything from substance use to chronic illnesses can trigger depression and make you feel like there’s no hope for your future.

It’s not uncommon for many people dealing with depression to isolate themselves and withdraw from the people and things they love. Unfortunately, this often makes depression worse. It can even trigger it, to begin with. You don’t necessarily have to be a social person, but completely closing yourself off from others is likely to make your mental health decline.

What Can You Do?

Keep in mind that these aren’t the only causes of depression. However, if you’ve been dealing with some of the symptoms for a while and wondering why, these causes can give you an idea of where your depressive thoughts are stemming from.

The best thing you can do is to talk to someone about what you’re feeling. Again, depression is often manageable, but only with the right kind of help. It’s not something you should have to tackle on your own. Depression counseling can help you better understand how to manage your symptoms. It will also help you learn where your depression, in particular, comes from. You can use that as a starting point on your healing journey. So, even if your depression was triggered years ago, you can do something about it now.

If you’re ready to take that first step, I would be honored to help you along the way. Contact me today to set up a consultation.