Friday, February 20, 2009

What Are The Root Causes Of Depression?

By C.K. Brown

Before you can figure out how to treat or cure your depression, you need to pinpoint the causes of depression. Just identifying the cause of any problem is often half the battle. Because if you know what caused the problem, it's much easier to figure out how to fix it.

Genetics

In 2006, a team scientists from around the world - led by Rockefeller University researchers - found a "depression gene" and named it "p11." They found that this gene controls serotonin transmission in your brain. Since serotonin is the primary neurotransmitter in your brain, you will be more apt to get depression if your serotonin levels are not right.

But if your p11 gene causes your serotonin levels to be below normal, you won't necessarily get depression. You will, however, be more prone to be depressed but it's not a given. Because depression is caused by a complex mixture of psychological causes and physical causes at the same time.

For example, someone who has a faulty p11 gene may do fine until the death of a loved one. An event like this may send them into a funk that lasts longer than what most people would consider normal...they are "depressed" and not just in mourning. These are the folks who stand to benefit the most from a SRI (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) like "Prozac."

However, anti-depression medication will not bring back a deceased loved one, which was the event (a.k.a. the "precipitating event") that got the depression started. And this is why it's important to treat depression with therapy such as cognitive therapy, in addition to taking medicine.

But is there another option to treating depression? Yes there is - and for those that can manage it - it's called "self help." Like following a step-by-step plan on overcoming and curing depression (which you'll find out how to do this later...)

Traumatic Or Stressful Event

Even though your serotonin levels may be normal, a single stressful event (like in the above example) can make someone clinically depressed. And sometimes it's a combination of events that can make some folks develop depression...

I was so depressed at one time that I tried to kill myself by driving over 130 mph into a bunch of trees. (The fact that it was a "bunch of trees" instead of just one big tree is one reason I'm here with you now.) But when you read my story you will nevertheless be astounded I survived. I was only 16.

My amazing survival was a turning point in my life. I started looking for natural cures for depression because I knew that changing my life would involve much more than taking a pill like Prozac or some other SRI - "Serotonin Reuptake Inhibior." (They weren't around then anyway!) But I was determined to 'outsmart' my depression.

It's Rarely Just One Stressful Event

Using divorce as an example - even though divorce describes a single event, the divorcee goes thru multiple stressful events at the same time:

- Loss of companionship

- Financial security gives way to financial worry.

- Loss of a better standard of living... The house and car is downsized.

- Loss of contact with your own children...no need to explain the huge stress this is.

- Moving even though you didn't want to move.

...And so on--you get the general idea.

Taught To 'Enjoy' Depression

I know this sounds weird, but some people actually enjoy being depressed. Well, not exactly, but they really 'get into' the drama of emotional events. For these people, getting depressed is the equivalent of being extremely happy about something positive, only it's the opposite; they feel the significance of the negative event justifies long-term sadness.

The reasons for this 'depression response' are two-fold: It protects them from having to deal with responsibilities of everyday life, and/or it gets them attention they wouldn't otherwise get from people around them.

Psychologists tell us one theory is that they are "taught" this behavior as toddlers:

Your parents may have left you alone if you weren't whining or crying, figuring "he must be happy--let's not bother him." By only paying a attention to you if you cried about something, they've taught you a life lesson: Personal care and attention comes your way if you are in distress.

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