The exact cause of chronic depression is still unknown, but current empirical evidence suggests that it may be cause by a number of factors that interact. Which can be grouped as follows:
Biological factors
The central nervous system is a dysfunction of physiological functions and chemical/neurotransmitter balance. These dysfunctions involve many parts, such as:
Similarities with depression include decreased REM latency and increased REM density in both major depressive disorder and chronic depressive disorder.
In contrast to depression, for example, ทางเข้า ufabet https://ufabet999.app in patients with chronic depression, abnormalities in adrenal gland function from the Dexamethasone-suppression Test (DST) are less common than in patients with depression.
Genetics Identical twin studies explain 50-70% of all mood disorders.
Drug addiction and physical disorders have various relationships with depression. For example:
Depression is a direct result of physical disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and systemic lupus erythymatosus.
Depression is a psychological reaction. That occurs due to physical abnormalities such as disfigurement, disability, etc.
Depression is a direct result of drugs used to treat physical disorders such as alcohol, stimulants, marijuana, birth control pills, certain antibiotics (e.g. Efavirenz), and certain blood pressure medications (Beta-blockers), etc.
Psychosocial factors
Cognitive distortions can cause suffering. Humans have unique cognitive schemas, which are based on our accumulated past experiences. Examples of these schemas include:
Having only two perspectives, such as good and bad or black and white, and not being able to accept that something can have both good and bad sides (Dichotomous Thinking), such as “If I don’t get a perfect score on a test, it means I’m not smart.”
Constantly being pessimistic about the future or making catastrophizing predictions, such as “If I don’t get a perfect score on the exam, I won’t be able to get a job in the future.”
Magnification and Minimization of something that is not realistic, such as “This exam will determine my life” and “If I don’t get a perfect score, then all my previous efforts are worthless,” respectively.
Taking on responsibility beyond one’s own scope or taking on unrealistic responsibility (Excessive Responsibility) such as “I will help my friend finish the work before starting my own work.”
Having experienced an event or being in an environment that causes emotional distress, stress, which may be a severe event, such as the loss of a loved one or a close person, or problems with work, study, relationship problems, etc. These factors may be found in the early stages of the illness.
Symptoms of chronic depression
People may feel sad, depressed, irritable, anxious, or empty most of the time, at least every day of the week, and may experience the following symptoms:
- Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
- Tired, exhausted, no energy
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Lack of self-confidence, lack of self-esteem
- Feeling hopeless and depressed