Causes Of Depression

Research indicates that one in ten adults in the United Sates will suffer from depression at some point in their life. This is a startling number, especially when one realises that many people who suffer from depression suffer in silence due to the stigma associated with the disease. But just what causes depression? How can one feel so low that they would even consider taking their own life? There is no one answer, but there are many situations and experiences which may cause one to feel depressed.

The most common explanation for depression is that it is caused by a chemical imbalance. While this is true, depression can be triggered by one's position in life. For example, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of reported cases of depression in America since the beginning of the economic crises. When the banks went broke, millions of people throughout the nation lost their savings. Many even found themselves out of  job and eventually out of a home. Financial woes all to often lead to marital troubles, another cause of depression. It is no secret that losing love is a devastating blow, but when you have no one to turn to when you are struggling to pay rent, it is all the more crushing.

While financial troubles are undoubtedly terrible, the recent death of comedian Robin Williams has shown us that money is not the secret to happiness. Robin's suicide shocked the world and left generations speechless; he appeared so happy and confident when he was on stage that he seemed invincible. We now know that popularity and adoration is nothing if one cannot derive happiness from it.

Last year, a leading psychologist caused uproar when he expressed his belief that depression is being to widely diagnosed and people are being put on anti-depressants when they are just feeling a little sad. Controversial as this is, one cannot deny that the belief is unfounded; if somebody is told that they are depressed, they are going to begin to believe and wind up feeling more depressed. Especially if they are on antidepressants, which one can become overly dependant on.

Depression is one of the biggest health issues in the America's history. In that past, those with depression were shut away and ostracised; now, according to some, they are put on a pedestal. Can we get it right before it's too late?