8 Possible Causes of Depression

Depression is a mental illness that negatively affects the way you feel, the way you act, and the way you think. Millions of people all over the world fall victim to it every year, but most of us remain ignorant of its nature and causes. According to the American Psychological Association (2013), clinical depression as a mood disorder characterized by low energy, fatigue, loss of interest, lack of motivation, diminished ability to feel pleasure, and a depressed mood that’s present more often than not. The number one most rampant psychiatric condition worldwide, it’s estimated that over 1 in every 6 (16.6%) of people all over the world will experience depression at some point in their lives (American Psychiatric Association, 2015). While none of these causes are singular or direct causes, they can provide insights into why some people are more prone to depression than others.

Disclaimer: Do not use this video to self diagnose. Seek a professional.

Writer: Chloe Avenasa
Script Editor: Rida Batool
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
VO: Amanda Silvera
Animator: Clarisse Lim Xingyi
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

We have a playlist here as well for videos about depression:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp8fpyTYrUg&list=PLD4cyJhQaFwUJVS9EhPoe69k17o7wk0-8

References:

American Psychological Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition. Washington, DC; APA Publishing.
American Psychiatric Association (2015). “What is Depression?” Retrieved 07 April 2020 from www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
Carter, J. S., & Garber, J. (2011). Predictors of the First Onset of A Major Depressive Episode: Stress and Negative Cognitions. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120(4), 779-796.
Seligman, M. (1975). Learned helplessness: theory and evidence. Journal of experimental psychology: general, 105(1), 3.
Beck, A. (1976). Cognitive Therapy and Emotional Disorders. New York, NY; International Universities Press.
Thase (2009).
Barlow, D. H., Farchione, T. J., Fairholme, C. P., & Ehrenreich, J. (2013). Disorders of Emotion: A Unified Protocol for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders. New York, NY; Oxford University Press.
Bradley, R. G., Binder, E. B., Epstein, M. P., Tang, Y., & Ressler, K. J. (2008). Influence of Child Abuse on Adult Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65(2), 190-200.
Lan, R., & Eley, S. E. (2010). A Study on the Clinical Features of Major Depressive Disorder on Adolescents and Their Relatives. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111(38), 98-106.
McGuffin, P., Andrew, M., Sham, P., Katz, R., & Kardno, A. (2003). The Heritability of Bipolar Affective Disorder and the Genetic Relationship to Unipolar Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60, 497-502.
Teicher, M. P., & Anderson, S. L. (2011). The Neurobiological Consequences of Early Stress and Childhood Maltreatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 27 (10); 33-44.
Aneshensel, C. S., & Stone, J. D. (1982). Stress and depression: A test of the buffering model of social support. Archives of general psychiatry, 39(12), 1392-1396.

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