Depression is a complex condition that is impacted by biological, psychological, and social factors. It’s no wonder that people feel depressed for a lot of different reasons.

Whether you’re mourning the loss of a relationship or a loved one, feeling down about yourself because of a challenge at work or school, or you’re experiencing a sad or empty feeling and you’re not sure why

Let’s take a look at the factors that can contribute to depression.

Biological aspects of depression

The biological component of depression relates to changes in brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances, and genetic predisposition.

We have neurotransmitters in our brain. These are chemicals that send messages from our brain to our body.

Three neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play a big role in regulating mood. Serotonin is the chemical that affects mood, appetite, and sleep. Dopamine is responsible for sending motivation and reward signals. Lastly, norepinephrine affects alertness and energy levels.

In addition to these chemical signals, the very structure of our brains can impact our moods.

Your prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotions and decision-making, could be underactive. Some folks with depression have a smaller hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory and emotional regulation. And in some cases, your amygdala, which processes emotions, may be overactive.

Hormonal changes in your body, such as puberty, pregnancy, thyroid problems, menopause, or chronic illness can contribute to depression. Some research shows that high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can be linked to depression.

Depression tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. If a close relative has depression, the risk of developing the disorder is higher. However, genetics alone do not determine whether someone will experience depression; environmental and psychological factors also play crucial roles.

For folks with depression, these chemicals can be imbalanced. That results in mood changes or disturbances.

Antidepressant medications, as well as other therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), aim to correct these imbalances by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain.