Depression Causes & Effects

Learn About Depression & Treatment at Life Healing Center

Depression is a general term that can be applied to a category of mental health concerns that are collectively referred to as depressive disorders. The main differences among depressive disorders involve the onset, duration, and severity of symptoms.

Depression symptoms can undermine a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and effects of depression can be an important step toward getting proper care.

As described by the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a common and serious disorder, but most people who experience depression symptoms can achieve improved health when they receive proper care.

Depression Statistics

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have reported the following depression statistics:

• Depression impacts about 4.4% of the global population, or more than 264 million people.
• In the United States, depression affects about 7.1% of the population, or more than 17 million people.
• In the U.S., depression is most common among young adults ages 18-25. About 13.1% of adults in this age range had at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
• In the U.S., about 8.7% of adult women and 5.3% of adult men had at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
• Among U.S. adults who struggle with major depression, more than 60% meet the criteria for severe impairment.

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

People who have depression may exhibit a variety of signs. Behaviors such as the following can be warning signs of depression:

• Losing interest in activities or events that used to be important
• No longer spending time with friends or family members
• Frequently talking about death and dying
• Being absent from school or work frequently
• Failing to take care of responsibilities like paying bills
• Eating significantly more or less than usual
• Sleeping much more or less than usual
• Appearing not to care about appearance or grooming
• Crying or becoming despondent for no apparent reason

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

In addition to the behavioral signs of depression, certain feelings or other symptoms of depression may indicate that a person needs professional care.

Examples of depression symptoms include:

• Always being tired
• Appetite changes
• Inability to feel joy or pleasure
• Declining self-confidence
• Poor self-esteem
• Loss of hope for the future
• Problems concentrating or focusing
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches

Please remember that the signs and symptoms of depression can vary considerably from person to person. Anyone who exhibits signs of depression or experiences depression symptoms should be assessed by a qualified healthcare provider.

People who have depression may exhibit a variety of signs. Behaviors such as the following can be warning signs of depression:

• Losing interest in activities or events that used to be important
• No longer spending time with friends or family members
• Frequently talking about death and dying
• Being absent from school or work frequently
• Failing to take care of responsibilities like paying bills
• Eating significantly more or less than usual
• Sleeping much more or less than usual
• Appearing not to care about appearance or grooming
• Crying or becoming despondent for no apparent reason

In addition to the behavioral signs of depression, certain feelings or other symptoms of depression may indicate that a person needs professional care.

Examples of depression symptoms include:

• Always being tired
• Appetite changes
• Inability to feel joy or pleasure
• Declining self-confidence
• Poor self-esteem
• Loss of hope for the future
• Problems concentrating or focusing
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches

Please remember that the signs and symptoms of depression can vary considerably from person to person. Anyone who exhibits signs of depression or experiences depression symptoms should be assessed by a qualified healthcare provider.

The effects of depression will vary from person to person. Depending on a variety of personal factors, the effects of depression can include:

• Strained relationships with friends and family members
• Health concerns resulting from poor self-care
• Onset or worsening of other mental health disorders
• Substandard performance in school or at work
• Unemployment
• Financial problems
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Loss of hope for the future
• Increased risk of self-harm or suicide

No single cause or risk factor is a definitive precursor to depression, but researchers have identified a variety of factors that can influence a person’s risk for depression. The following are among the more common causes and risk factors of depression:

• Having a sibling or parent who develops depression
• Struggling with other mental health disorders
• Enduring abuse, neglect, or other adversity as a child
• Being female
• Having a serious medical condition
• Experiencing major changes in your life

People who struggle with the signs and symptoms of depression may also have an increased risk for developing certain other mental health disorders. When you seek professional care for depression, it’s important to find a provider who can identify and address any co-occurring disorders that have also been impacting your life.

Life Healing Center’s comprehensive services include personalized care for depression and co-occurring mental health concerns. We are committed to providing adults of all genders with the focused services that will empower them to manage their depression symptoms and overcome any other obstacles that may be preventing them from achieving improved mental health.

When you get appropriate professional care, you’ll learn how to manage the symptoms of depression and develop strategies to alleviate the effects of depression. You’ll also learn how to respond if you begin to struggle with depression symptoms again.

Managing the symptoms of depression can require sustained effort. Depending on what’s best for you, this effort may involve continuing to work with a professional on an outpatient basis, participating in a peer support group, or engaging with the members of your personal support network. One of the most important lessons you can learn while you’re receiving care is that there is no shame in needing or seeking help.

If you have a setback and your depression symptoms return, the skills you develop while receiving care can prevent a temporary challenge from becoming a long-term problem. If the signs, symptoms, and effects of depression once again threaten to diminish your quality of life, you’ll be prepared to respond in a healthy and productive manner. In some circumstances, this response may mean returning to a program to receive additional care for depression.

Getting care for depression won’t eliminate all risk of future difficulties, but it will empower you to manage your depression symptoms, monitor how the effects of depression are impacting your life, and take appropriate action to maintain your progress.

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Life Healing Center.