Why am I depressive?

Why a person is depressive whereas another confronted with similar events is saved? Can one clearly identify the cause of a depression? There does not exist a well established cause, it is rather a combination of various factors which is, generally, at the origin of this disease.

Why am I depressive? Men and women are not equal in front of the depression. The women are more twice the more likely to be confronted during their life there. This disease touches on average a man on ten but a woman on five. Moreover, the depression can appear several times during a life.

If the depression is more frequent in the young adults (seven depressive out of ten has less than 45 years), it saves neither to the children nor the elderly. If your child is sad, irritable, the appetite loses or has bad school results in a durable way, it is important to consult a pediatrist or a pédopsychiatre to know the origin of these problems. Same manner, in the elderly, an unjustified hostility is not inevitably one through age but can be the symptom of a depression.

Research also showed that the depression could be due to an imbalance of the chemistry of the brain, in particular with a fall of the manufacture of certain neuro-transmitters (serotonin, dopamine…).
Biological factors

Although the precise causes of the depressions are not completely elucidated, there exist many indices today making it possible to affirm that certain cerebral mechanisms are implied. Certain symptoms such as the loss of sleep or, on the contrary, a time of excessive sleep, the difficulty of concentrating or the persistence of black thoughts could find an explanation biochemical: deficiency in certain neuro-transmitters could explain these phenomena.

In order to include/understand the role of the antidepressants, it is important to return on the traditional mechanisms of the cerebral cortex. The brain constitutes the control center of all the body, it is also responsible for our emotions, our memory and our intellect. In the brain, information circulates in the form of “electric” messages, called nerve impulse. Since dendrites, they go towards the cellular body where they are treated and sail until the synapses via the axon.
Connection between two neurons

The synapses constitute the zones of information exchanges between the neurons. This level, information is exchanged in the form of chemical messages. Chemical substances called neuro-transmitters are secreted and bind to specific receivers.
Synapse under normal functioning
1: Nerve impulse
2: Neuro-transmitter
3: Specific receiver
4: System of recaptures

This level, a bad passage of information or an imbalance in certain neuro-transmitters can be, partly, person in charge of the depressions. Thus, the researchers could develop certain drugs allowing to modulate the concentrations in neuro-transmitters.
Hereditary or genetic factors

The people having close relations who suffered from depressions are more likely to be themselves about it victims. So of many research tried to identify a gene of the depression, the most plausible assumption today is that several genes can have an influence on which has occurred of depression.
Drug taking and of alcohol

The consumption of alcohol or drugs associated with drugs can involve interactions supporting the depressions. The excessive alcohol catch or drug-addiction can, also, being an attempt to mask a depressive state. Thus, the question remains posed: is the catch of these drugs at the origin of the depression or in is a consequence?
Environmental and family factors

Many contradictory studies try to determine psychosocial factors up to what point can involve depressions. The importance of the family support can protect from the stress. The inaccuracy of the partner, a separation, the loss of the husband can constitute worsening factors. According to certain studies, events traumatisants such as the early loss parents, conflicts family, professional or a grave disease can be at the origin of depression. However, other research refutes these bonds.

Thus, the causes of the depressions remain they, for the majority, supposed. One cannot identify a cause precisely, but the assumption which currently prevails is that this disease is the result of multiple environmental factors, biochemical, hereditary and psychosocial. However, the antidepressants, only or associated with a psychotherapy, make it possible to have a therapeutic arsenal making it possible to look after nearly 90% of the patients. In any event, more the assumption of responsibility intervenes early, more the treatment is effective.