What causes depression?

Depression leads to a wide variety of signs and symptoms that vary from day-to-day. When you’re depressed, you may experience:

-Chronic fatigue
-Sleep problems
-Weight fluctuations 
-Empty or numb feelings
-Mood swings and irritability
-Increased or decreased appetite
-Restlessness and difficulty sitting still
-Hopelessness or constant pessimism
-Depression can even lead to physical problems, such as headaches, chronic pain, and even digestive issues. In severe cases, depression causes you to have suicidal thoughts, which warrants emergency medical attention. 

 

The leading therapy team at The Healing Centre encourages you to come in if any of these symptoms sound familiar, especially if they’re worsening or not improving after several weeks.

How do I know if I have depression?

Depression is a common mental health condition that leads to chronic sadness and disinterest in activities for weeks, months, or even years at a time. If you have depression, it may be linked to or caused by:

-Work or relationship stress
-Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
-Disturbing delusions or hallucinations (psychosis)
-Pregnancy and childbirth (postpartum depression)
-Hormonal or brain chemical imbalances, as with bipolar disorder 
-Lack of sunlight during winter months (seasonal affective disorder) 
 

It’s also possible to struggle with depression if it runs in your family or if you’ve experienced a stressful life event (like a divorce).