What causes depressive illnesses?

Depressive illnesses are not due to personal weakness or a character flaw, but are biological illnesses related to imbalanced or disrupted brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters in the brain are the chemical messengers and the main one that has a bearing on depression is serotonin, although there are others which also play a part in depression. The brain is an organ of the body and can get sick just like the heart, liver, or kidneys.

A combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors all play a role in how and when a depressive illness may manifest itself. And because these are illnesses, stress doesn't necessarily have to be present, but can trigger or exacerbate a depression. Depression can appear out of nowhere, when everything is going fine, at a time when there would be no reason for a person to feel depressed.

People of all ages, including infants and children (who may be born with a chemical imbalance), can suffer from depressive illnesses. Since they may be genetic, a person who is predisposed may be at a higher risk for developing these illnesses than someone who does not have these illnesses in their family (as in cancer, heart disease, etc.). We needn't let the fear of inheritability frighten us. This does not mean everyone will inherit a depressive illness. Instead, this is good news. By recognizing the signs of depressive illnesses early on, people can get the help they need, avoiding needless suffering for months or even years.

Depressive illnesses are nothing to be ashamed of. We aren't ashamed of having other biological illnesses like heart disease or diabetes. And we aren't ashamed of going to the doctor for treatment of these illnesses. Depression and other depressive illnesses are no different. We would never expect a loved one to treat their high blood pressure on their own. We shouldn't expect them to treat their depression on their own either.