What Is The Cause of Depression?

The cause of depression can be either biological or psychological, and very often both. It can be biological in that some types of depression run in families, suggesting that it is a physical condition that can be inherited. It can be psychological in that it often develops as a result of the way someone looks at and thinks about themself and their life.

Scientists searching for the cause of depression have found that certain types of depression occur in generation after generation of some families. This is particularly true of bipolar disorder or bipolar depression. In fact, they have found that those who develop bipolar depression have a slightly different genetic makeup than those family members who do not develop the illness. This seems to be true for major depression as well.

People with low self esteem, who look down on themselves or have a pessimistic view of life in general, also are prone to bouts of depression. It is not clear if this psychological viewpoint is in itself a cause of depression or merely early signs of developing depression.

Researchers have found that changes in the body can be can cause mental changes as well. For example, a stroke, heart attack or cancer can not only affect the body but also can cause depression, leaving the victim apathetic, fearful, and unwilling or unable to help themselves get better.

On the other hand, any type of serious situation, such as a death in the family, broken relationship, financial problems or other stressful events can lead to depression as well. It is quite likely that the true cause of depression is a combination of biological (genetic) and psychological factors.

A new approach to dealing with depression is called EFT - Emotional Freedom Techniques.

EFT is an energy therapy that simply consists of tapping on certain energy centers on the body while addressing the causes and symptoms of the depression. For more information on EFT and how it is used to successfully deal with depression Click Here to Visit the EFT Web Site