Depression is a complex mental health condition. It’s rarely due to one specific cause, and it can come on gradually. What’s certain is that its toll on one’s quality of life is often immensely negative.
Everyone’s experience with depression is unique, and this can make it difficult to know how to move forward. Understanding some of the potential causes of the condition and some tried-and-true ways forward is a good place to start.
Life Experiences
Your mood is often a product of your direct environment and experiences. Daily stressors, such as work responsibilities, adulting, finances, and parenting or caregiving, can have the effect of gradually wearing you down. Over time, this chronic stress can result in mental decline and even lead to depression.
Major life experiences are also a significant factor in mental health. The death of someone close to you, a breakup with a partner, or the loss of your job, for example, could be a trigger for an acute depressive episode.
Social Support
Your social support situation, if lacking, can also contribute to depression. We all need the support of others to cope with the struggles of life. A strong support system provides people with help when they need it as well as a sense of belonging and meaning.
It can be tempting to self-isolate when going through difficult times. In an effort to cope with or avoid difficult feelings, some people distance themselves from others. Unfortunately, reduced connection with others can do more harm than good, contributing to the likelihood of depression.
Psychological Factors
When stress starts to pile up, negative thought patterns tend to become the norm. If you have a tendency to want to be “perfect,” these negative thoughts can quickly become overwhelming. When under stress, it can be difficult to show yourself compassion, instead becoming overly critical. This can lower self-esteem and lead to or worsen symptoms of depression.
Physical Factors
Depression is typically associated more with mental health, but that doesn’t mean that physical health should be overlooked as a contributing factor. Chronic illnesses, for example, can be mentally straining, and hormonal changes can impact your mood.
Our bodies and minds are undeniably linked, and the health of one affects the health of the other. Whether it’s a result or a cause, poor physical health is often seen together with depression.
Genetic Factors
Your family tree may be very telling in why you’re experiencing depression. Having a family member who has lived with depression or is currently experiencing depression automatically increases your risk. Having a close family member who has experienced major depression is thought to make you two to three times more likely to also experience depression.
The Path Forward
Depression can feel like a roller coaster that is unpredictable and varies in severity. Thankfully, it can be managed with the right mechanisms.
Lifestyle Modifications
Doing things that actively combat your negative thinking and help fuel your body are key. This can include getting regular exercise, the right amount of sleep, proper nutrition, fresh air, and social interaction.
Give Yourself Grace
Depression leads you into a harsher headspace than normal. It’s easier said than done, but practice giving yourself grace and being forgiving. You might try pretending your loved one was the person in your shoes, treating yourself with the same kindness you would show them.
Professional Support
One of the most powerful steps you can take is seeking professional support. Therapy for depression often entails personalized coping strategies, talking through your triggers, exploring root causes, and discussing options for medication if necessary.
The path to recovery isn’t one you have to take alone. If you’re struggling with depression, help is one call away.
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