What is the chemical reason why people are depressed?

Answer 1

Heh. ^_^ Your question sums up one of the *big* mistakes doctors make when it comes to things like depression. And yes, I get it that some of this is by design (pharmaceutical companies always wanting to sell the latest thing).

But your Question *should* read: "What ARE the chemical REASONS why people are depressed?" Note the plurals. There isn't just one. Depression is rather like cancer this way: there are *many* ways depression can happen, and so many different ways that it should be treated. Sometimes it's genetic (runs in families), sometimes it's a stress response and sometimes it's triggered by unhealthy lifestyles, just like *any other illness*.

So, getting to the chemistry here:

--A common chemical imbalance in depression has to do with the neurotransmitter *serotonin*. Some people have a flaw in their neurochemistry, either genetic or induced otherwise (by stress, poor nutrition) that causes their nerve endings to *reuptake* serotonin way too quickly, which as noted causes distortions in the way those nerves work.

These distortions can affect: mood, concentration, short-term memory, motivation, digestion, sense of pain.

--Then there are those people who suffer similar problems, only with the neuro-transmitter *dopamine*. It's a slightly different chemical in that, as far as moods go, it doesn't so much establish an emotional floor as it sets your emotional ceiling. People suffering with dopaminergic kinds of depression tend to be more *anhedonic*, meaning they just don't smile, don't get happy, because they *Can't* feel good.

Problems with dopamine can lead to: mood disturbances, tremors, lack of coordination, digestive problems, utter lack of motivation, anhedonia (lack of joy/good feelings), excessive eating/compulsive behaviors, and other possible addictive/compulsive actions.

--There's also the hormonal problems, as have been mentioned, and those come in *two* flavors. The first one is more about the classical, metabolic *endocrine* hormones like thyroid and pituitary...in these cases depression is a *symptom* of a larger problem and not the primary issue.

And really, you should Google this one, since there are a *dozen* odd endocrine hormones that *could* go wrong and screw with your mood. Anything from diabetes (lack of insulin response), to menopause (estrogen disturbance in older women), to pregnancy, to hypothyroid, to hypo-pituitary, to lack of testosterone, can cause a depression.

--In addition to this, there's also the *second* way hormones can screw with you at the brain level...by way of *stress* hormones. Essentially, this is the cortisol/norepinephrine loop that is at work in people with anxiety disorders all the way up to and including post-traumatic stress disorder. And unlike the usual situation with serotonin or dopamine, in this case what happens is that a lifestyle or upbringing ends up being *too severe*, stressful, or downright abusive, which in turn makes the stress reaction *Too Active* in the brain, leading to a chronic, lasting impairment of function. Essentially the brain lobes responsible for *fear* and emotional memory shrink, impeding impulse control and screwing with one's ability to *control* moods.

--Then there are the *precursor* conditions. Basically these are the depressions most closely related to classical bipolar (manic) depression, and the ones most likely to be genetic, because with this stuff, something goes wrong *before* the neurotransmitters are even there and involved.

This is *the* big reason why the very first anti-depressants, those MAO Inhibitors, worked. They inhibited the production of *monoamine oxidase*, a chemical that *digests* mono-amines, a chemical ancestor of neurotransmitters (among other things). These are the kinds of depression that respond most to treatment with older, tricyclic anti-depressants and those mood stabilizers like lithium carbonate and Depakote.

So yeah, to put it bluntly, it's complicated.

There is no single *generic* syndrome one can point to and say "This is Depression", because really all these versions have in common is *low moods and suicide risk*.

But of course, your HMOs and Drug Companies don't want to hear that one....because if they did, then people might actually get *better testing* for specific kinds of depressions, get better meds, and actually *get better*, period within their lifetimes.

And that damnable *trial and error* thing, on the meds side, that passes for healthcare these days is just *so profitable* for everyone *else* involved, don't you know? -_-

But I digress. Sorry. My point is that the brain is a *really* complicated organ in humans, and it can go wrong in a *lot* of ways that can all lead to "depression" of some sort.

I hope this helps....thanks for your time. ^_^

Answer 2

Though it may seem you're feeling depressed for no reason, there may be a chemical imbalance going on in your brain. While some people experience situational depression (loss of a loved one, parents divorce, etc), this is not always the case. Your best bet is to talk to your general practitioner about a depression screening and possible referral to a psychiatrist. Also look for a good individual therapist--studies show that depressed people who use both pharmacotherapy (meds) and some form of psychotherapy stand a much better chance at long-term recovery!

Answer 3

In many if not most cases, seratonin reuptake occurs too rapidly, so the synapses are seratonin-deprived, causing an imbalance in the ability to process external stimuli.

Something like that. Seriously, it's seratonin deficiencies in many cases, and medications can help the brain alleviate these deficiencies and better control the transfer of seratonin.

Not all depression is chemical, however.

Answer 4

There isn't always a chemical reason. Infact there rarely is!

Hormonal inbalance is a cuase tho and an over active thyriod... both are tested via a blood test.

Answer 5

There are multiple factors as to why people are depressed. But aside from that, there are imbalances in the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which makes you feel calm.

Answer 6

Here are some short, informative videos on depression that should help you understand depression a bit more.

Answer 7

low levels of serotonin is the most common

Answer 8

yup serotone
its suppose to be balanced out