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Causes
The precise cause is not known. It can be difficult to determine if an illness causes depression or depression caused the illness. Possible causes may be mental, physical, or environmental and include:
- Stressful life events (usually in combination with one or more of the following causes)
- Chronic stress
- Low self-esteem
- Imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones
- Lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness)
- Negative thought patterns and beliefs
- Chronic pain
- Heart disease and heart surgery
- Genetic predisposition
- Altered brain structure and function, including after a stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Postpartum depression occurs after childbirth
- Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression or a worsening of symptoms thought to be due to the decreased exposure to sunlight that occurs during winter months
- Hypothyroidism
- Anemia
- Cancer
- Substance abuse
Synapses in the Brain
Researchers are studying how problems with synapses in the brain may be linked to depression.
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include:
- Sex: female
- Age: elderly
- Chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease, headaches, chronic pain, and stroke
- Previous episode of depression
- Major life changes or stressful life events (eg, bereavement, trauma )
- Postpartum depression
- Winter season for seasonal affective disorder
- Little or no social support
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of personal control over circumstances
- Family history of depression (parent or sibling)
- Feelings of helplessness
- Certain medications, including medications used to treat asthma , high blood pressure , arthritis, high cholesterol , and heart problems
- Smoking
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Personality disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Type 2 diabetes
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.