What is the cause of my depression?

280 million people worldwide are asking this question every single day. It is a haunting question, a desperate question, with a complicated answer for everyone who wants to know.

When asking of themselves, some wo9uld point to major life changes or stressors. Some might lay the blame on coexisting mental illnesses like anxiety or ADHD. Others may have an imbalance of neurotransmitter production that is causing their depression. And still others may believe they are simply destined to have depression because of their family history and genetic makeup.

And here is the sad, interesting, and fascinating thing about depression: they may all have a point. All of these factors can be relevant to someone’s depression. But they also may only see part of the picture.

As you may well know, depression is much more than just “feeling down.” It is complicated interplay of symptoms that can range from inconvenient to absolutely debilitating – social withdrawal, stress, weight loss or gain, trouble sleeping or excessive sleepiness, low self-esteem, and sometimes, even suicidal ideation. Depression can be life-upending.

And what these millions are really asking every day is actually, How can I get relief from my depression?

Of course, the answer to this question lies in the cause – and the cause, as you can see, is nuanced: life changes, comorbidities, brain chemistry, genetics. And some of these causes go deeper still, such as inflammation and altered neuroplasticity.

But at the same time, symptoms are not just symptoms. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, which can quickly cause stress and social withdrawal. Suddenly, one symptom becomes four frustrating causes, and the answer to the question What is the cause of my depression? becomes even more complicated.

As a holistic healthcare professional, I believe treatment should be as nuanced as the cause.

Direct intervention through antidepressants can work wonders for some sufferers of depression. They can be life-changing. But for many, they are unnecessary – especially since there are so many other things that can help more in the long-term.

I do not mean to be one of those who discourages people from getting direct medical help. And I would certainly never tell anyone not to take their already prescribed mental health medication. But what I am saying is that there are other effective ways to manage symptoms and causes of depression… free, without side effects, and infinitely repeatable.

If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, consider these potential treatments with your healthcare provider or counselor:

1. Lifestyle interventions. Exercise promotes blood flow and stimulates the production of mood-regulating hormones. Cutting back on sugar reduces inflammation. Appropriate sleep is foundational to mood and cognitive function, and stress management techniques can mitigate one of depression’s contributing causes. A few adjustments to our daily routine can drastically mitigate the symptoms and curtail the causes of depression.
2. Mindfulness and meditation. Grounding and thoughtfulness exercises are not just useful for anxious episodes – recent research has also shown that mindfulness exercises actually help restructure the brain in ways that help fight depression.
3. Social and relational factors. A strong support system is one of the most helpful tools someone suffering from depression can use to recover. Close relationships help counter social withdrawal, manage stress, and cope with life changes, as well as developing healthy (noncontributory) coping mechanisms.

What is causing my depression? Today, 280 million ask this question again – it is a deep question, whose answer might be complicated, but every time it is asked, we gain insight. It is an empowering question, whose answer, when found, takes the asker one step closer to the relief they seek.

May you ask the hard questions today, and find yourself unsatisfied with easy answers!

Make today your masterpiece!

Florina