In our discussion of mental and emotional disorders, several possible causes of depression and anxiety were examined. In my evening section of the intro course, some students said they felt that chemical imbalances were the culprit(s) behind feeling blue, apprehensive, or uptight. Others felt that it was simply a question of mind over matter and that a person could and should discipline herself to think only positive thoughts. Christine stated that in her opinion, depression had to do with what was going on in someone’s life and that as time went on, he would “get over it.”
What do you think? Humans are indeed complex creatures, and while there are no easy answers to the causes of depression, anxiety, or any other emotional disorders, that doesn’t mean that we should shrug our shoulders and say, “Who knows?”
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, has this to say: “What a large number of factors constitute a single human being! How very many layers we operate on, and how very many influences we receive from our minds, our bodies, our histories, our families, our cities, our souls and our lunches! I came to feel that my depression was probably some ever-shifting assortment of all those factors, and probably also include some stuff I couldn’t name or claim.”
Do you agree with her? Disagree? Just what do you think about the causes of depression?
We're psychology instructors (Jayne, Mark, Myles, Katie-in order of our being hired) at a community/technical college who are energized and excited by psychology and its applications to daily life. After all, what's the point of knowing about synapses unless the knowledge improves your understanding of moods, disorders, and memory (to name a few).
We've found that just about everything relates in some form or fashion to the science of human behavior, and it's our goal to help others to see that. Accordingly, we'll be posting opinions, comments, and questions and hoping that you'll respond. We'll also provide links to relevant articles and websites to further increase your knowledge
10 responses so far ↓
Lisa Irene // May 5, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I believe that depression is caused not only from chemical inbalances but it can also caused by factors in ones social life. My cousin has severe depression and alot of her depression came from the fact that she was sheltered by her mother her entire life. It also came from her having issues getting a boy to notice her. When she would start feeling upset she would eat. In time she soon became overweight and that gave her peers another reason to pick at her. This is why I firmly believe that depression in caused by ones self actions. Now I have heard cases of depression being passed on through families and that might be where the chemical balance theory comes into play. I just know that depression is a very serious issue in America that should never be ignored.
Spencer K. // April 30, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I have studied both of these possibilities but have no solid conclusions. Depression is a puzzling matter, and I cannot claim to know even half as much as the scientists who study it. However, I believe that, though chemicals may increase susceptibility to depression, it seems to me that it alone cannot cause it. I have never suffered from long-term depression, my experience being limited to a lengthy case of “blues”.
At least in my case, depression was brought on by external causes, some major, some minor in the large scheme of things. We often hear of cases of the richest, most famous of us being depressed. It is then often wondered why in the world the people who have everything are so sad. For me, ironically, it was times in which I was earning the most money, was financially secure, ate out and traveled steadily, and had even bought a new, entertaining piece of electronic equipment. It was during these months of physical plenty that I became depressed and “mopey”. The problem I found was that I was distancing myself from those I loved, and although I thought I had no reason to be sad, it was the lack of love that unconsciously depressed me.
This may not be the case for everyone, but at least for me, it was a feeling of un-fulfillment and a lack of friendship and love that brought me down. In short, it is my belief that depression is, more than anything, a result of emotional distress or un-realization that cannot truly be fixed by chemicals or possesions.
Kevin Hendrix // April 24, 2009 at 12:10 am
Depression may come from chemical problem in the brain or even enviromental factors, who knows. But I suffer from it and I dont take meds to help me. I keep myself in a positive frame of mind and not let things get to me. I also live by the motto that No matter how bad things seem to be, somebody out there has it a whole lot worse than you. And also as the Bible tells God will not burden you with no more that you can handle.
Brittany Amerson // April 23, 2009 at 4:36 am
I think depression comes from a multitude of different things. Depression is not something that can be cured for everyone. No two minds are alike so what may work for some, probably won’t work for others. No one should EVER think that depression is just something people do and can get over because in truth you wouldn’t know unless you were that person. so if someone can say I don’t want to be depressed I’m just gunna get over it, great! but that won’t work for everyone and does not mean that it’s the only answer. I suffer from anxiety, not depression, but I have known others who suffer from it and they are not weak, feeble minded people. They want to be happy. The truth is depression has many forms and so there must be many forms to treat it. Medicine, activites, church (I guess), and certain people can make others happy and leave the depression behind, but sometimes it’s not that easy. For some people they may not be capable to forget certain losses or wrongdoings. It’s possible that it just isn’t in their nature. I feel like people should be open minded to the situation because no one will really ever know the struggles people go through within themselves. i’m not saying some people don’t blow it out of proportion but I think once people have met someone who does that, they tend to stereo-type everyone else.
JessicaB // April 22, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I think depression can definately be avoided. I know there are some cruel things that happen to people that we wouldnt even begin to think of. Some people are subject to things in life no one should have to go through. Thats when religion should play a major role in their lives. No matter what happens I will always believe in His word and try my best to keep my head up. I think if someone is depressed, they have the ability to bring themselves out of that depressed stage, but sometimes professional help is needed. Depression if a bigger problem than it should be. True enough there are some reasons to naturally be upset, like the passing of a loved one, or maybe you got laid off; but those still aren’t reasons to get so depressed that you need a shrink or medication. I say cry a little bit, pick yourself up and look forward to what’s next in life, because there’s no point in worrying about things that you can’t change.
Leith McGuire // April 22, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I believe that depression can only be blamed and also fixed on one’s self. I have heard many excuses on why this person and that person has depression and it bothers me. Unless you are a person that sufers from a very strong symptom of depression, then you should have nothing to complain about. Every day you will face obsticals that will test you on how strong you are mentally. Many people fail the test and down their selves saying they are depressed. Nothing out there can solve depression besides the person supposidly getting it. In my life I can say I have been through alot that most kids cant match up to. When I was young and things were happening to me I would feel sad all the time and just down my self. I tried looking for help. But there is no one to help. Only I could do something about it. So after a long time of being depressed I desided to use my head. I looked at my life and said “NO”. I wasnt going to waste my life being depressed. So I desided to actually face reality and hard times again, and instead of letting them get to me I kept trying of moved on. I dont let things get to me. In any situation you will see me smile, not because I dont know what else to do, but because thats me. I enjoy life. When ever your down, know someone is having it alot worse than you.
Topics about Ancestrys » Archive » Who Knows??? // April 22, 2009 at 7:05 pm
[...] Shrink Rapping added an interesting post on Who Knows???Here’s a small excerptIn our discussion of mental and emotional disorders, several possible causes of depression and anxiety were examined. In my evening section of the intro course, some students said they felt that chemical imbalances were the culprit(s) behind feeling blue, apprehensive, or uptight. Others felt that it was simply a question of mind over matter and that a person could and should discipline herself to think only positive thoughts. Christine stated that in her opinion, depression had to do with wh [...]
Brittany Haygood // April 22, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I think that depression is casue by many diffrent things. After looking through our book and in the internet at some things i found out that people think depression is casued by three things; depression is a medical disease, caused by a neurochemical or hormonal imbalance, depression is caused by certain styles of thinking, and depression is a result of unfortunate experiences. I do agree with theses very much so but i think sometimes it goes a little deeper than this. My opinion is that sometimes its all in someones head. Maybe they just always think negative, or they are always worry warts, or something tragic did just happen, but they always dwell on the bad. They never take a look at all the good they have around them like maybe their family, kids, house, cars, spouse. I have never been depressed so i cant really relate to how they really feel in the inside. Maybe I am totally wrong but thats just the way i feel about the whole situation. Take time and look at all the good you have been givin. Also, go to church. I am bad about this but it seems like everytime i go to church and say my prayers, and have a good attitude my week is so much better.
Brandi // April 22, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Depression comes from many different causes, and each mix of problems are different depending on the person. I myself suffer from deppression and mine is quite bad. A shrink once told me I needed to be studied to see how I have made it in the real world. He thought that my past experiences should have me 6 feet under or in a nut house. For many years I took that the wrong way and did not realize that it was a compliment.
I have suffered from every type of abuse(physical, sexual, social, mental) and many many many different experiences that made me grow up much faster than needed. I have never been a threat to others, but I am a great danger to myself. When I was younger I would slice my arms up with a razor to help release the pain that I was feeling, then blamed it on the cats so no one thought I was crazy. I tried sucide numorus times from the ages 13-16. My 3 brothers were my saving grace. Experiences can have a great effect on someone having deppression. My doctor has me going to get a MRI in a week or so to see what may be going on up in my brain. She has been working with me for over 10 yrs, trying to figure out what is going on in my head. I cannot name all of the drugs that we have tried. We have tried no meds and found out that was a big NO.
Deppression will be something that will puzzle doctors until the end of time. I think that there are so many factors that can cause it, that there is no one main cause for it.
William Outen // April 22, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Depression is a very serious thing in our culture. Depression can come from a number of things such as a loss of a loved one, not winning the big game for your team, or it can come from giving birth to a child. The older we get the more responsibility we have and that can sometimes lead to stress and/or depression. My mom works at a local pediatric office. She does a lot of their filing and paperwork. I can’t tell you how many times she has come home and told me that they sent a 5, 6, or 7 year old to a psychiatrist. What in the world does a kid that age have going on that they need to go to a psychiatrist? She has also told me that they put kids that age on depression medication more than they do teenagers. That blew me away when she told me that. Kids that age should be worried about cuddies and what they’re going to do at recess. A lot of this has to do with their home life. A lot of kids are forced to grow up too fast and that can do a number on a kids mind. I think depression is all just in your head. We let depression over take us and it can be very hard to get over. I think the only medicine for depression is the Lord God Almighty. As long as you have a personal relationship with Him, you’ll never be sad. I don’t think drugs are the answer for depression. It’s something psychological and can only be over come if we get our minds right.