What causes depression?
Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Brad Hallam | Published: 7 October 2017 | Updated: 17 June 2020
Scientists do not know for sure what causes depression. Depression can affect anyone and happens for different reasons for each person. There are many different factors that may be related to depression, such as:
Potential sources of depression include your DNA and various factors in the brain.6-7
- Stressful life events, like experiencing a serious injury or losing a job
- Personal characteristics, such as personality and life experiences
- Environmental factors, such as social support and personal security
- Genetics
- Medical conditions
- Certain medications
Depression may be related to lower levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that allow nerve cells to send messages. Lower levels of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are linked with depression. However, this is a complex relationship that scientists are still working to understand.
Unique challenges to coping after spinal cord injury
Experiencing an SCI can cause additional challenges which may contribute to depression:
- Sensory deprivation (e.g., limited exposure to natural light) during the acute period
- Health problems like pain, fatigue, and sleep problems
- Grieving the loss of physical abilities and independence
- Stresses of being in the hospital, such as being away from home for a long time and lack of privacy
- Changes in self-image
- Symptoms of other medical conditions like brain injuries and concussions
- Uncertainty about what will happen in the future
