Triggers of Depression – an Introduction

Triggers are factors that cause the onset of depression. They are the last in the chain that leads to depression. Some people are born with inherent susceptibilities. This may be due to genetic reasons. This may remain dormant in some individuals. Some may develop some symptoms of depression over time. But the full onset of depression needs defining events to activate and set off depression. Such events are known as triggers.

Possible triggers of Depression

The triggers of depressive disorder include some of the following:

Seasonal Affects: Changes in seasons may cause mood swings in persons who are susceptible. Seasonal affects take place when summer ends and season shifts to fall and winter. The longer nights and shorter days of fall affect our internal circadian rhythm. This rhythm makes a shift as per sunlight patterns. As a result, our biological clock becomes out of ‘sync’ with our regular routines. These symptoms appear during fall, reach maximum in winter. These factors act as trigger. The symptoms include depression, weakness, drowsiness, and weight increase.

Domestic Problems: Conditions in a household will affect a person. Death of a close relation in the family is a great cause of gloom and sadness. Acute financial difficulties cause severe stress in a person. Marital discord at home and frequent confrontations cause serious tensions in persons and they become susceptible to stress and anxiety. Shifting of residence is also a reason for tension as they shift to a new place and start life afresh.

Behavioral problems: Chronic alcoholism and drug dependency are major factors that cause stressful conditions. A person with aggressive and temperamental mindset is more likely to feel the stress and tension. A person who is timid and shy and can not interact with friends and family members is likely to become aloof and lonely. Such person will appear tense stressful. All these situations act as triggers of depression.

Occupational Problems: People who work for living or those who do business and commerce face situations in their daily lives where they are called to meet deadlines, targets and other managerial issues. Striving to maintain efficiencies and meeting work related duties take a heavy toll on persons. They eventually get stressed out. Sometimes, they may also face the ignominy of getting fired from their job. These are the major triggers that make people depressed.

Bodily diseases: Certain long lasting diseases require prolonged medications. Problems such as cancer, cardiovascular problems, renal problems, AIDS, respiratory problems, thyroid problems etc., require strong medicines for treatment. Obviously, these medicines produce strong and varied side effects in persons. Their immune system and bodily chemical balances change drastically. Such situations become triggers of depression.

Psychological problems: People who are suffering from mental related illnesses are also affected with stress. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, dementia, etc., display characteristics of developing tension and anxiety. These symptoms are triggers for getting depression.

Other Triggers:

Women who enter menopause phase suffer due to hormone imbalances in their body. The onset of menopause is an emotionally devastating and wholly unforeseen problem for them. They suffer from depression during this period.

Elderly people with insomnia without any occurrence of depression are found to be six times more prone to a bout of depression as compared to people without insomnia. This situation is more likely to occur in women who are diagnosed as suffering from a insomnia with a typical characteristic.

Depression can also occur when male hormone, testosterone, level is low in people. It is difficult to identify testosterone as the cause for depression. Nonetheless, people who have depression are found to be testosterone-deficient.

Smoking is linked to depression. When smokers tried to stop smoking, they are found to suffer mood changes. Obviously, the system has been in the regular habit of receiving daily dose and withdrawal is abrupt. Tobacco may have some antidepressant characteristics because depressed people resort to tobacco smoking.

Verbally abused kids are prone to become self-denigrating adults which will lead to anxiety and depression.

In an experiment, drinking water is mixed with varying quantities of farm chemicals to know its effect on thyroid levels in people. Thyroid levels have also increased or decreased according to the levels of mixture. Farmers and workers who drink water with pesticide traces are found to be six times more prone to get depression than when they drink pure water.