Depression and Pakistani Women

Risk Factors

Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Possible Causes

There are many theories about what causes depression. Few of the important theories are:

Heredity (someone's genes): Depression often runs in families. However, people can get depression even if they are not related to anyone else who has it.

Physiology: The amounts of some chemicals in the brain. Serotonin is the main chemical in the brain that has to do with happiness. Many antidepressant medications work by balancing the amount of serotonin in the brain.

Psychological factors: Low self-esteem and harmful thinking

Early experiences: Events such as the death of a parent or guardian, abandonment or rejection, neglect, chronic illness, and severe physical, psychological, or sexual abuse.

Life experiences: Losing a job, homelessness, problems with money, death of a loved one, relationship problems, separation from a partner, being a victim of crime, or other life problems can cause depression.

Medical conditions: Some illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, hepatitis, mononucleosis, or head injuries, may contribute to depression (Wikipedia, 2018).

Some depressed people also have other mental disorders, such as personality disorders and anxiety disorders.

Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children.

Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy (National Institute of Mental Health. n.d.).

One of the most potent factors associated with mental disorders such as depression and anxiety later in life is mistreatment and abuse in childhood (Browne and Finkelhor, 1986; Turner and Lloyd, 1995). This includes sexual abuse as well as physical, mental and emotional neglect or mistreatment.