Causes of depression are divided into two categories:
Reactive (externally caused) and Endogenous (internally caused).
Reactive depression
(externally caused)
Social/Circumstantial – By far, most depression is
caused by social/circumstantial situations in a person’s life (78-85%):
- lacks meaningful work
- lacks social/intimate connections
- lacks meaningful values
- inequality in income, status or respect
- hopeless or insecure future
- habitual bad attitude
Psychological
- unresolved childhood trauma
- disconnect from nature/open spaces
- First, there is one gene that is directly associated with depression. About 37% of people have a cluster of other genes that – in various combinations - have been associated with depression.
- Second, genes must be activated by an extremely stressful or traumatic event (environmental) for genes to activate genetic depression
- Third, gene activation can be reversed through a combination of healthy diet and meditation. Also, there is one medical, biochemical treatment that – when combined with diet and meditation – has been shown to improve outcomes.
Brain malfunction (Brain chemistry, Traumatic Brain
Injury)
- Brain chemistry - No definitive research supporting this as a cause. Two scientists: 1) “Doesn’t exist at all” or 2) “a vanishingly small number of people.” (<1% of those diagnosed with depression) (Very surprising since pharmaceutical companies campaign for chemical treatments.)
- TBI – Often causes depression.