What are the Causes of Major Depression?

Depression is a combination of biological, genetic and psychological factors. Major depression is caused by imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain.

The following are the most common causes for major depression:

* unemployment

* family history of depression

* death of loved one

* financial difficulties

* poor self-esteem,

* a pessimistic view of oneself and the world.

* other chronic illnesses

* loss of relationship

What are the Causes of postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression may be caused by several reasons, these

include:

* hormone changes in your blood that occur following childbirth

* Stress

* lack of sleep

* poor diet

* family factors are also important, including the relationship a mother has with the child's father, and the support she receives from other people.

* Women who have mental health problems before childbirth are more likely to feel depressed after having a baby.

What are the Causes of Teenage and Adolescent Depression?

The precise causes of depression are not known. Extensive research on adults with depression generally points to both biological and psychosocial factors. Some of them are:

* Teen Depression Family and genetic factors - It is still under research whether the relationship between parent and teen depression derives from genetic factors, or whether depressed parents create an environment that increases the chances of depression in their children.

* Teen Depression Gender Differences - One reason for depression in adolescent girls may be that they are more socially oriented, more dependent on positive social relationships, and more vulnerable to losses of social relationships than are boys.

* Teen Depression Biological Factors - Some of the core symptoms of depression, such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns, are related to the functions of the hypothalamus. The functioning of hypothalamus is well associated with depression in adults. However, far less research has been done in this area among teens and adolescents.

* Teen Depression Cognitive Factors - A person with negative mind set is one who readily assumes personal blame for negative events. The mind set in question is known as a pessimistic "attribution bias". Individuals with this mind set react more passively, helplessly and ineffectively to negative events than those without a pessimistic mind set.

In addition to those found in adult depression, causes of teen and adolescent depression, or apparent triggers, include additional and often unique situations. Some of them could be:

* Social rejection

* Family turmoil

* Failing exams

What is the cause of manic depression?

The following list of possible causes shows there is no single 'exclusive' cause of manic depression.

* Genetic Factors. The cause of manic depression is biological in

origin and genetic -- Manic depression tends to run in families.

Genetic abnormalities appear in chromosomes. A combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors "appears to trigger and perpetuate the chemical imbalances in the brain that shape this complex disorder."

* Abnormal Brain Activity - The multi-faceted cause of manic depression has been revealed by imaging scans and other tests to the brain. These show:

Oversecretion of cortisol, a stress hormone. Excessive calcium influx into brain cells Abnormal hyperactivity in parts of the brain associated with emotion and movement coordination.

Low activity in parts of the brain associated with concentration, attention, inhibition, and judgment.