Why Did I Get Depressed For No Reason

What Are The Different Antidepressants And How Do They Work

Hypophrenia: Why Do You Feel Sad for No Reason Sometimes?

SSRI This category of drug includes fluoxetine , citalopram , and sertraline and targets serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control mood, appetite, and sleep.
SNRI SNRIs include drugs like duloxetine , desvenlafaxine , and venlafaxine , which block the reabsorption of both serotonin and another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.
NDRI This class of medications includes bupropion.
TCA TCAs include such drugs as imipramine and nortriptyline . These drugs were among the earliest antidepressants to come on the market. These days, doctors generally only turn to them when treatment with SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs has failed.
MAOI MAOIs, including phenelzine and isocarboxazid , were the first antidepressants developed. Theyre rarely used today, in part because people who take them require careful monitoring to prevent negative interactions with certain foods and other medications.

All antidepressants can have side effects, but some may be more problematic than others. You may need to try several different medications, or a combination, guided by your doctor, before you find what works best for you.

How Is Genetics Linked To The Risk Of Depression

We know that depression can sometimes run in families. This suggests that there’s at least a partial genetic link to depression. Children, siblings, and parents of people with severe depression are somewhat more likely to have depression than are members of the general population. Multiple genes interacting with one another in special ways probably contribute to the various types of depression that run in families. Yet despite the evidence of a family link to depression, it is unlikely that there is a single “depression” gene, but rather, many genes that each contribute small effects toward depression when they interact with the environment.

How To Shake It Off In The Moment

When sadness tints every aspect of your day-to-day an unrelenting gray, you might have trouble finding relief. Feeling down can also make it more difficult to brainstorm potentially helpful changes, which is why professional support can make a big difference .

In the meantime, these strategies may offer a bit of relief.

Recommended Reading: Does Depression Make You Lose Your Libido

Gently Suggest Talking To A Professional

Encourage your friend or loved one to meet with a mental health professional. They can do an individualized assessment to help determine what that specific person needs in order to start feeling better. With professional support, people with depression can learn long-term ways to manage stress, navigate complex emotions and situations, and find peace especially during the holidays.

Get Your Thyroid And Vitamin D Levels Checked

Why Do I Feel So Sad And Empty For No Reason

Two major causes of depression can be thyroid hormone levels that are off and low vitamin D.

When our thyroid hormone levels are off a variety of symptoms can arise. One of them is depression. Many of my clients who come to me complaining of depressive feelings often end up having thyroid disorders.

Vitamin D deficiency is also one of the major causes of depression. Because of the prevalence of sunscreen use, and a significant shortage of sunshine during some parts of the year, many Americans dont get enough sun. The sun is the only way for a human being to get Vitamin D so sun deficiency means a Vitamin D deficiency and Vitamin D deficiency leads to depression.

Fortunately, in both cases, testing is easy a simple blood test and treatment involves taking a pill.

So if youre suddenly feeling depressed for no reason call your primary care doctor and get your blood checked right away.

Why Do I Always Keep Attracting The Same Types Of People

Well, heres why!

Your life is being driven and controlled by whatever youve de-pressed beneath the surface.

You see, whether were aware of it or not, our very first experience or taste of true powerlessness caused us to form images and beliefs about ourselves, about others and the world around us. And, this created the base or foundation upon which our entire life was built. Which, then went on to control all of our thoughts, feelings, actions, reactions and behaviours.

Why Am I Depressed For No Reason

Causes and Treatments of Depression

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Understanding Depression

Depression can have many causes, all of which are complex and can be difficult to understand. In some cases, feelings of depression can be clearly connected to an experience in someones life, such as a tragic loss or a violent event. Other people may be aware they have a family history of mental illness and, as a result, may not be caught off guard by a diagnosis of depression.

However, some people become depressed and dont know why. They may feel they do not have a reason to be depressedespecially if they perceive their life as being good or easy compared to others.

The pressure to explain or justify how they feel can make depression worse and may prevent people from getting necessary treatment.

You May Like: Worksheets To Help With Depression

Changes After Giving Birth

After having a baby, it’s common for new moms to experience feelings of sadness and anxiety this emotional response is often referred to as the baby blues. But in more serious cases, these feelings last longer than a few days and may be a form of depression called postpartum depression.

Studies estimate that postpartum depression affects 10%15% of new mothers, but Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, a psychologist and lactation consultant who specializes in postpartum depression, previously told Health it may actually be as high as 25%.

Can Depression Come And Go Quickly

Why do we feel sad for no reason?

The big insight is that depression is not a mysterious condition that comes and goes for no reason at all. Instead, it is a condition that comes and goes, depending on how youre thinking and living.

This is great news, because it means that if you consistently think and live in ways that make you happier and depression-free, then you can get rid of depression for good and never deal with it again.

This puts you in a very powerful position. Indeed, its helpful to appreciate just how powerful you are, because most people feel powerless and helpless when they experience depression, and this feeling of helplessness stresses people out and makes them more depressed.

So, right now, appreciate that depression is not some sort of a mysterious condition that will come and go for no reason at all for the rest of your life.

Read Also: How Can You Heal Depression

Do Something You Enjoy

Your favorite hobbies may seem less enjoyable when you feel sad or down, but giving them a try anyway can sometimes offer mood-boosting benefits.

If youre struggling to muster up any energy, try low-key activities instead of ones that you feel exhausted just thinking about.

A few possibilities:

cuddling your pet

How Is Biology Related To Depression

Researchers have noted differences in the brains of people who have clinical depression compared with those who do not. For instance, the hippocampus, a small part of the brain that is vital to the storage of memories, appears to be smaller in some people with a history of depression than in those who’ve never been depressed. A smaller hippocampus has fewer serotonin receptors. Serotonin is one of many brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that allow communication across circuits that connect the brain regions involved in processing emotions.

Scientists do not know why the hippocampus may be smaller in some people with depression. Some researchers have found that the stress hormone cortisol is produced in excess in depressed people. These investigators believe that cortisol has a toxic or “shrinking” effect on the development of the hippocampus. Some experts think depressed people may be simply born with a smaller hippocampus and are thus inclined to have depression. There are many other brain regions, and pathways between specific regions, thought to be involved with depression, and likely, no single brain structure or pathway fully accounts for clinical depression.

Don’t Miss: How Can I Help Someone That Is Depressed

I Have Nothing To Be Depressed About

When a musician, comedian, or author is lost to suicide, admirers are left to grapple with the shock and grief of losing such an impressionable figure. Amid the confusion and sadness, some media sources insensitively report on what happened. Reporters ask questions like How could this have happened? He had such a loving family. What did he have to be depressed about? Why would someone with so much money and adoration do this? She seemed so happy. Not only are these questions and statements ignorant, but this kind of reporting doesnt serve those who are struggling with a mental illness with reassurance or support. It reinforces the notion of How could I be depressed if I have nothing to be depressed about? But depression is far more complicated than what the media would lead you to believe, and people from all walks of life suffer from mental illness -regardless of status, finances or celebrity.

You may feel secure in your relationships with friends, but you can also still feel spacey or anxious or guilty for not appreciating time with them. You may feel secure in your role as a student or employee, but you can also fail to give yourself credit for your accomplishments. Maybe you feel nothing. If life on the surface appears to be going well, but your feelings dont reflect that, you could be experiencing depression.

Causes And Risk Factors

Depression is not a mood you can just get over. It is a disease in which the brain ceases to register pleasurable activities, says Angelino. Indeed, MRI studies with depressed people have found changes in the parts of the brain that play a significant role in depression.

Women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Youre also more likely to develop depression if you are between ages 45 and 64, nonwhite, or divorced, and if you never graduated high school, cant work or are unemployed, and dont have health insurance. Other risks for depression include factors such as these:

Experiencing stressful events in your life, such as losing your job, having problems in your marriage, major health problems, and/or financial challenges.
Having a bad childhood, such as one involving abuse, poor relationships with your parents, and/or your parents own marital problems.
Certain personality traits, such as getting extremely upset when youre stressed.
A family history of depression, which can increase your own risk three or four times.

Depression is far more common than you might think, with nearly one out of 10 adults depressed at any time, about half of them severely.

Also Check: How To Fight Depression And Anxiety Without Medication

How Do I Overcome Depression When I Have Absolutely No Idea Whats Driving It

So, lets start from the beginning with the word depression. Because, youll see that once you take a look at the word. The word itself is very meaningful and brings great clarity to your situation in depression.

So, what does depression really mean?

Well, depression comes from the word deprimere, which means to de-press, to push down, lower or to press on something.

Make A List Of The Things Youre Grateful For

Making a list of the things youre grateful for is a powerful tool to help you put things into perspective. At times, we get overwhelmed by the bad things around us that we tend to forget the blessings we have to be grateful for. Making a gratitude list will remind you that youre doing right in your life and that there are still many reasons to be happy.

Be thankful for what you have because other people are the blessings you miss to recognize. Be grateful for the roof over your head, the gift of family, good health, and having a job. You will always have things to be thankful for, so do not take things for granted.

Also Check: Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder In Partial Remission

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression And How Is It Diagnosed

The NHS recommends that you should see your GP if you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.

Doctors make decisions about diagnosis based on manuals. The manual used by NHS doctors is the International Classification of Diseases .

When you see a doctor they will look for the symptoms that are set out in the ICD-10 guidance. You do not have to have all of these to be diagnosed with depression. You might have just experience some of them.

Some symptoms of depression are:

low mood, feeling sad, irritable or angry,
having less energy to do certain things,
losing interest or enjoyment in activities you used to enjoy,
reduced concentration,

You may also find that with low mood you:

feel less pleasure from things,
feel more agitated,
find your thoughts and movements slow down, and
have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Your doctor should also ask about any possible causes of depression. For example, they may want to find out if youve experienced anything traumatic recently which could be making you feel this way.

There are no physical tests for depression. But the doctors may do some tests to check if you have any physical problems. For example, an underactive thyroid can cause depression.

On the NHS website, they have a self-assessment test which can help you to assess whether you are living with depression: www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/overview/

Mild Sadness And Emptiness That Never Seems To Go Away

DEPRESSED FOR NO REASON? WATCH THIS

Symptoms of depression often become serious enough to get in the way of everyday functioning, but that isnt always the case.

With most forms of depression, periods of sadness might last a few weeks or longer, depending on the type of depression you have, and then lift temporarily. You might not feel sad or notice any other symptoms for some time.

With persistent depressive disorder , on the other hand, mood symptoms wont show up in clear episodes. Instead, they often last for years. With PDD, you may no longer recall a time when you didnt feel somewhat sad or depressed. You might:

have trouble finding pleasure and joy in anything at all
fall into patterns of pessimistic or hopeless thinking
have low self-esteem
have low energy for most activities

Unlike symptoms of major depression, symptoms of PDD may not prevent you from living your daily life. Still, as you work, go to school, and take care of your regular responsibilities. youll likely notice an ever-present sad or low mood.

Don’t Miss: Does Depression Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Whats The Difference Between Grief And Depression

Given that the primary symptom associated with depression is sadness, it can be easy to think of grief or bereavement as depression. But grief is a natural response to specific experiences, such as the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one. While you might feel regret or remorse, and you might withdraw from usual activities if you are experiencing grief, youre unlikely to feel the overwhelming sense of worthlessness, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and other symptoms of depression. Another important difference is that in grief, painful feelings usually come in waves and are often mixed with positive memories.

American Family Physician

Antenatal And Postnatal Depression

Women are at an increased risk of depression during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth . This time frame may also be referred to as the perinatal period.

The causes of depression at this time can be complex and are often the result of a combination of factors. In the days immediately following birth, many women experience the baby blues, which is a common condition related to hormonal changes, affecting up to 80 per cent of women who have given birth.

The baby blues, or the general stress of adjusting to pregnancy or a new baby, are common experiences, but are different from depression.

Depression is longer lasting and can affect not only the mother, but her relationship with her baby, the childs development, the mothers relationship with her partner and with other members of the family.

Up to one in 10 women will experience depression during pregnancy. This increases to 16 per cent in the first three months after having a baby.

The Risk Of Isolation

It can sometimes be hard to explain your thoughts and feelings to others. You might find it difficult to talk about your depression and instead you might cut yourself off from other people. The more overwhelming your symptoms, the more isolated and lonely you might become.

Without treatment and support, depression can have an impact on your relationships, work, finances and overall health, so it’s important to get help as early as possible. See our pages on for more information.

“It feels like I’m stuck under a huge grey-black cloud. It’s dark and isolating, smothering me at every opportunity.”

There’s No One Reason For Depression

Lots of things influence whether a person gets depressed. Some of it is biology things like our genes, brain chemistry, and hormones. Some is environment, including daylight and seasons, or social and family situations we face. And some is personality, like how we react to life events or the support systems we create for ourselves. All these things can help shape whether or not a person becomes depressed.

Genes

Research shows that depression runs in families. Some people inherit genes that contribute to depression. But not everyone who has a family member with depression will develop it too. And many people with no family history of depression still get depressed. So genes are one factor, but they aren’t the only reason for depression.

Brain Chemistry

Chemicals called neurotransmitters help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Some neurotransmitters regulate mood. When a person is depressed, these neurotransmitters might be in low supply or not effective enough.

Genes and brain chemistry can be connected: Having the genes for depression may make a person more likely to have the neurotransmitter problem that is part of depression.

Stress, Health, and Hormones

Things like stress, using alcohol or drugs, and hormone changes also affect the brain’s delicate chemistry and mood.

Getting enough sleep and regular exercise often has a positive effect on neurotransmitter activity and mood.