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.
Daylight and Seasons
Life Events
Family and Social Environment
Reframe What You Think About Depression
Simple steps can help you overcome inertia and move forward, even when you’re down.
Depression can sap your motivation to perform even the simplest of tasks, let alone tackle bigger challenges. Research shows that depressed people have a harder time finding motivation to go to work, go out with friends, even clean the house.
One way to be productive despite depression is to see depression as a habit, says Joseph Luciani, PhD, a psychologist in New York City and the author of Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression. Viewing depression as a tendency rather than an illness puts you behind the wheel, so to speak, and may help you change your life. Here are 10 ways to find inspiration to take on daily life… despite depression.
Socialize With Friends And Family
Even if you are experiencing mild depression or a funk, you might find yourself drawing away from others, avoiding social situations, or not wanting to burden people with your feelings. One of the hardest but most helpful things you can do to see yourself through depression is to find that strong support circle and spend time with the people you love.
Schedule times to visit with family and friends or plan to grab lunch with a coworker so you have a specific time and place where you can lean on others when youre feeling blue. You might also find that some of these people have experienced depression themselves and they might be able to relate with you on the subject and share ideas of what has helped them in the past or just lend an open ear.
Read Also: Why Do I Always Get Depressed
Reasons You Are Feeling Down In The Morning
Here are some scientifically probable explanations as to why your morning is characterized by severe depression than in the afternoon or evening.
In my opinion, these rational causes for the morning depression are not satisfying therefore, below them, I will provide my personal impressions on these fluctuations.
According to studies, here are the common reasons people wake up in the morning with a sense of depression:
The Lived Experience Of Depression
A person who is in good physical health, is employed, has a safe home to live in, enough money to care for themselves and their family, supportive friends, and hobbies may struggle to comprehend why they feel persistently sad, angry, or irritable.
In the absence of a clear trigger such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or the loss of a job, they may feel that it doesnt make sense for them to feel depressed.
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Life Events And Depression
Research suggests that continuing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work can increase the risk of depression.
Significant adverse life events, such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, may also trigger depression, particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic, developmental or other personal factors.
How Do You Motivate Yourself To Do Something You Don’t Want To Do
Self-will is strong, and sometimes it may be weak when you don’t feel like doing something. For this reason, you may have found it difficult to motivate yourself to do certain crucial things. In some cases, your lack of self-will may result from substance abuse, which is detrimental to one’s behavioral health. For instance, if you need to go to a close friend’s birthday party, but you don’t want to, that may need some extra motivation. Sometimes, it may be as little as getting house chores done. No matter what it is that you’re having a hard time with, you can motivate yourself. So, when you find yourself saying, “I do not want to do anything,” it’s crucial that you try to think differently.
In most cases, self-motivation is effective when the root cause of your feeling isn’t a medically reviewed mental illness like depression. In simple terms, depression is a mental illness characterized by persistently depressed feelings, mood, or loss of interest. Depression may also be due to traumatic stress or substance abuse that affects one’s behavioral health. You may need to consult a therapist first to diagnose any mental illness and provide mental health treatment. A good idea of helpful tools for self-motivation is reading a book. It doesn’t have to be one with long stories you may go through a short one.
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Helping Someone Who Is Depressed
If your loved one or friend is depressed, here are some things you can do:
- Help him find a GP or a mental health professional such as MensLine Australia counsellor so he can get support.
- Offer your support and understanding.
- Talk to him and listen to what he has to say.
- Invite him out. He may say no at first, and you dont want to push him, but let him know that you are there.
- Men with depression may be at risk for suicide. If he is in a crisis, get help quickly. Call Suicide Call Back Service on or call 000.
What Does Depression Feel Like
Most people think that feeling depressed is the same as feeling sad. But they are not the same.
Depression is not sadness.
One can feel sad when they end a relationship. One can feel sad when they lose a job. And one can feel sad when they have a critical illness.
Depression is different. When a person is feeling depressed, he believes that no matter what he does:
- he will never find someone he loves again.
- no one will hire him ever again.
- there is no cure for his illness.
He believes that theres no hope in life.
Telling a person who is feeling depressed to have positive thoughts doesnt work. Firstly, humans cant control what thoughts entered their minds. Secondly, even if they do have positive thoughts, they dont believe them to be true. The keyword here is BELIEVE.
Feeling depressed is like someone hits you on the back of your head and one of your muscles called HOPE has snapped.
Depressed people just cant see hope.
And is not just one aspect of their life. Its all aspects of their life. No matter what they do or how hard they try to be positive, they feel that theres no hope. They feel tremendous fear and insecurity about living. They feel powerless and trapped.
And thats why they want to die.
Read this post to learn more about depression and its signs and symptoms.
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Be Really Really Angry
Most would tell you not to focus on the negative. But being angry is actually my best method to get out of depression.
Being empathetic, Im always able to see the other partys point of view. I know where they are coming from. So its hard for me to get angry at another person. Plus, I dont like to express anger at another person because I feel bad for the person on the receiving end.
Unfortunately, that also made me an expert at suppressing my anger. I wasnt able to let myself feel all the emotions that I was feeling at the moment.
Feeling angry is the most efficient way to get out of depression!
Last week, when no one was at home, I started hitting the bed to let all my anger out. I was angry at myself, the founder, the situation I was in. Most importantly, I was sick and tired of feeling depressed. I was angry that the depression kept coming back when I told it to go away!
In the end, my depression dissipated.
Why Am I Always Depressed How To Be Happy Again
Depression can be a tricky beast. It usually creeps in slowly, so by the time you’ve realized it’s upon you, you feel like it’s about to consume you. Anyone who has experienced depression in the past or who goes through bouts of depression currently will tell you how tough it is to navigate symptoms.
“Talking to a mental health professional offers you an opportunity to talk with someone who can guide you on ways to improve and manage your depression symptoms.”
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine why you are feeling depressed. The cause of depression is varied, as is the cure. If you’re wondering, “Why am I always depressed?” youre not alone. We’ve developed a list of possible depression causes, along with suggestions about strategies you may consider using to reclaim your life from deep depression and start feeling like yourself again.
Causes Of Depression
There is no single cause for depression and a depression diagnosis depends on a combination of dynamics such as a person’s environmental conditions, as well as their genetic make-up. That said, doctors consider several factors to determine a diagnosis of depression. A few examples of these factors include:
- History of depression in the family
- History of other mental health diagnoses
- Hormone changes
- History of experiencing a traumatic event
- The use of medications
- Substance use or abuse, past or present
What Does Depression Really Feel Like?
Overcoming Depression
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Depression Affects Each Woman Differently
Not every woman who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some women experience only a few symptoms. Others have many. The severity and frequency of symptoms, and how long they last, will vary depending on the individual and the severity of the illness.
Where Can I Learn More About Depression in Women?
The following agencies have additional information on depression in women.
This Had Been Taking Over My Life For So Long Until All Of A Sudden I Snapped
Thats when everything went numb. It was a huge turning point, going from feeling everything at once to feeling nothing at all.
And, in all honesty, I think the nothingness was worse. The nothingness, combined with the same daily routine and toxic relationship, made my life feel utterly worthless. At the end of my rope, I turned to Google. No one ever really explained how to cope with suicidal ideation, particularly when you dont really want to die.
Scrolling through post after post, I realized that actually, a lot of people understood. A lot of people knew what it was like to not want to be here anymore but not want to die.
We had all typed in the question with one expectation: answers. And answers meant we wanted to know what to do with our feelings instead of ending our lives.
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Focus On What You’re Doing
Depression causes you to be absorbed in your own thoughts. To counter this as you go about your daily routine, focus your thoughts on the outside world. For example, when you wash a dish, feel the water on your hands and listen to the dishtowel rubbing the plate. “By focusing on the outer world with attention,” says Luciani, “you’re really teaching yourself to let go of that inner ‘gerbil wheel’ where you are spinning depressive thoughts.”
Take Time Out For Yourself
That was a night last month when I just couldnt sleep. I was overwhelmed with emotions and negative thoughts just kept coming into my head.
So the next day, I decided to give myself a one day break and not do anything. My well-being is more important than finding a new job or feeling financially secure. I was feeling broken at that time, so I need a timeout to care for myself.
Also Check: How To Cure Depression Without Meds
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/
Information For Family Carers And Friends
You can get support if you are a carer, friend or family member of someone living with depression.
Being a carer might mean you can claim certain benefits that might help you and the person you care for. For more information, please see the Mental Health and Money Advice services website:www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/what-benefits-are-available-for-mental-health-carers/
You could also get in touch with carer support groups or sibling support groups. You can search for local groups in your area online or ask your GP.
You can ask your local authority for a carers assessment if you need more practical support to help care for someone.
As a carer you should be involved in decisions about care planning. There are rules about information sharing and confidentiality which may make it difficult for you to get all the information you need in some circumstances.
You can find out more information about:
How can I support the person that I care for?
You might find it easier to support someone with depression if you understand their symptoms, treatment and self-management skills. You can use this to support them to get help and stay well.
Below are some initial suggestions for providing practical day to day support to someone with depression.
You can find out more information about:
You can find more information about:
Website: www.web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/
Read Also: How Much Of The World Has Depression
Ask Yourself Questions With Empathy
During that one day break, I talked to myself with empathy like I was talking to a friend. Instead of making judgmental statements about myself and my depression, I asked myself questions and dug a little deeper. I asked myself:
- How are you doing?
- Why do you feel this way?
And I would just sit there and listen.
Having self-compassion is something so simple that all of us can do.
But yet sometimes we are so busy with our lives that we took ourselves for granted.
You Might Be Depressed
Laziness and lack of motivation are signs of depression. And if you constantly find yourself feeling those ways, then you might be depressed and not know it.
Its more common than you think.
What you can do:
1. Heal and be kind to yourself.
Take your time and heal. Dont rush towards instant gratification.
Those temporary highs will make you feel lower.
Instead, get down to the bones of your grief.
Journal, reflect, carve out time where you sit alone and think. This time is powerful.
2. Ask for help.
Speaking about your problems to your family or friends can half the load. And often they have good advice.
Ask for professional help too. Sometimes we need others to ask us the questions we fear asking.
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Lack Of Desire To Deal With Your Reality
We covered the common scientific reasons that might make you depressed in the morning. However, after talking to many people who are fighting morning despair , I have another, probable explanation that does not involve physical aspects.
Starting your morning is more than just opening your eyes, and get on with your day. It involves an entire process of gathering together the pieces of your sense of self who am I, and where am I type of questions.
You are coming back from a world of dreams, tucked in comfortable sheets to reality. Often times, a reality that you do not want to be in, and that you dont enjoy.
The depression that surfaces in the morning also occurs because you may not be happy and satisfied with your life in certain areas.
Here is the thing coming back to reality in the morning is difficult because all of the things you are not pleased about are popping up rapidly all at once!
Your brain can barely function rationally and cannot fully address all of the fear that is emerging. It is the fear of how will I start off when I have all these problems? Youre facing life feeling like youre trapped.